Julian Plenti Is Skyscraper

Julian Plenti | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 4, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Matador Records
• ASIN: B002BSH26O
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,644 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Mysterious NYC singer-songwriter JULIAN PLENTI returns from several years of hibernation with his debut album. Featuring Mike Stroud of Ratatat, Sam Fogarino of Interpol, Charles Burst of the Occasion and Striker Manley of Stiff Jesus, this incredibly varied album runs the gamut from gorgeous folk-tinged acoustic songs to huge, orchestral guitar anthems. The palette changes from black and white to color and back, from regal Eastern European synth sounds of "Only If You Run" to the sad but triumphant brass of "Unwind."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interpol Part 2, August 4, 2009

By 

Greg Kinne "Criticaljoe" (midwest) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Julian Plenti Is Skyscraper (Audio CD)

Pseudonyms and side groups are some of the signs that a musician has made it and can release off shoots without damaging their main brand. Paul Banks of Interpol is the latest to cash in on the phenomena in the moodier guise of Julian Plenti. On "Julian Plenti. Is...Skyscraper" Banks fleshes out songs that had been growing moldy in his archives. What's surprising is that the songs that had been previously left for dead are infinitesimally more interesting than Interpol's last studio album "Our Love To Admire." Freed from the constraints and expectations of that band (brand), Banks cuts loose on an album that holds its own among the highlights of Interpol's career.

"Julian Plenti Is...Skyscraper" is not much a departure in sound or scope from Bank's somber songwriting skills that were first demonstrated on "Turn On The Bright Lights." The feeling of dread and despair is evident on most of these tracks as Banks can effectively portray himself as just another lost soul struggling to make it in these dire times. "Only If You Run" offers a solution in the form of drug-induced escapism that some might find palpable depending on the circumstance. On the other hand, "Fun That We Have" follows as the hangover heavy reality that there is no escape from the continuing monotony and daily malaise.

The strings and sampled accents of "Skyscraper" are a nice touch that doesn't detract from the underlying delicate acoustic guitar work. The most Interpol-like song amongst this lot is the fragmented and brooding "Games For Days." "Games For Days" features a great vocal and an overtly searing guitar that has been somewhat absent on this album. "Madrid Song" breaks the album into side 1 and 2 and feels a bit like filler. After that it seems like the album falters and it's not until the unhealthy yearning of "Girl on the Sporting News" where it recovers. Things get a bit angsty and experimental on the angular "Fly As You Might" which acts as the closing song on "Julian Plenti Is...Skyscraper." After "Fly As You Might" ends, song "H" appears as nothing more than a piano led filler which might symbolize the curtains finally closing on "Julian Plenti." Overall, "Julian Plenti Is...Skyscraper" is an interesting affair that provides new life to these old songs.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interpol this isn't, August 13, 2009

By 

Simon Whittle (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Julian Plenti Is... Skyscraper (MP3 Download)

For anyone that may claim this is the "missing" Interpol album or other such things I have to disagree. Maybe these songs were thrown out by the band to record, but, the sound of the album is a distinct departure from what's gone before.

Lyrically it's still melancholic but the music provides a great backdrop for the vocals. The use of acoustic guitars and strings gets well away from the heavy bass lines and effects of Interpol's work.

With its own distinct sound and personality the album is a resounding first release for a talented vocalist that so many already know and love. I'm looking forward to the live dates that are promised.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Suprise!, September 5, 2009

By 

Paul Ramone "Steve" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Julian Plenti Is Skyscraper (Audio CD)

Wow! Paul really pulls it off here. After being put in the position where everybody said Paul was an Ian Curtis rip off and so was Interpol( they sound more like the Chameleons with that guitar interplay anyway ), They are their own band and have their own sound. In Julian Plenti's "Skyscraper" you can hear that Paul has his own style and sense of experimentation. It was the perfect time for it too. If you listen to "C'Mere" on Antics you can tell that Paul was going to do something on his own. The album sounds perfect from start to finish. Track 3, "Skyscraper" is simple in lyrics but has a ton of depth to it. You get one part soft and ambient and one part pop mixed on the album. All in all, Paul is great as Julian Plenti. Like Bowie and all of his alternate egos, Julian just may dissapear. But who knows? Maybe another my pop up. He has alot of talent obviously. The album is well worth the listen and if you can forget "Interpol" while you listen, you can hear the man as himself. Thats the hard part and the trick. Don't mix the two together.Wonderful poet and fantastic musician. There is a long career ahead of Paul(Julian). A*