Julian Plenti - Is...Skyscraper

It will take most people all of 5 seconds to realize that Julian Plenti is in fact the unmistakable voice of Interpol front-man Paul Banks. Hidden under a bad haircut and horrible satin shirt, Banks is fooling no one. However he is playing the pseudonym to the hilt going so far as to give interviews in character, insisting that journalists refer to him as 'Julian' and making any reference to Interpol forbidden. The problem is that despite being a fairly good album, Banks has delivered a solo debut that will sound inescapably to most people like a solo record of the guy from Interpol. It is his voice, that unmistakable, near-mono-tonal singing that destroys any attempt to distance Plenti from his Interpol past.

That said, Is... Skyscraper is actually pretty good if not all that original. The album has two very distinct styles of songs. The first of which is the uptempo indie rock sound we all recognize as Interpol, complete with all the catchy rhythms and angular guitars of Banks 9-5 band. Tracks such as "Only If You Run", "Games for Days", and "Fly As You Might" all sound like they could be Interpol demos.

Then there are the softer, moody tracks full of symphonic touches such as the horn filled "Unwind" and the nice acoustic lullaby "On The Esplanade". One of the most impressive tracks, "Skyscraper" is a soft string-led mood piece filled with haunting undertones. Another must listen is "Madrid Song", a slow and beautiful piece utilizing piano and strings over the haunting lyrics "come have at us, we are strong".

When all is said and done Is... Skyscraper ends up being a mediocre attempt to stand apart from his Interpol past. It seems that Banks, or Plenti, is forgetting that solo albums are a time for artists to forge their own creative innovations. Given the effort Banks put into his appearance and the dedication to stay in character, it's too bad that his music didn't take on an equally drastic change. In the end the problem is that no matter what Banks does his solo songs are always going to sound like Interpol b-sides, his voice is just too distinct.

http://julianplenti.com/