Julian Plenti Is... Skyscraper

Julian Plenti Is...Skyscraper
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 4, 2009
Recorded2008–2009
StudioSeaside Lounge Studio (Brooklyn, New York)
GenresAlternative rock, art rock
Length37:22
LabelMatador
ProducerPaul Banks
Julian Plenti chronology
Julian Plenti Is...Skyscraper
(2009)
Banks
(2012)

Julian Plenti Is... Skyscraper is the first solo album released by Paul Banks, the lead singer of the American rock band Interpol, under the name Julian Plenti. It was released on August 4, 2009.

The music video for "Games for Days" was directed by Javier Aguilera and features Emily Haines of Metric.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar
Clash(6.0/10.0)
Drowned in Sound(6/10)
The FlyStarStarStarHalf star
GigwiseStarStarStarStar
Paste Magazine(71/100)
Pitchfork Media(6.2/10)
PopMatters(4/10)
SpinStarStarStarHalf star
NME(positive)
Q(4/5)

In a First Listen feature on their website, The-Fly.co.uk said that Julian Plenti is... Skyscraper "could almost be two different albums – one with folky, Bon Iver-esque lullabies and one with upbeat art-rock stomps" and that it is a "beautiful little sonic beast". ClashMusic.com reviewed the album, praising its ambition but stating that it sometimes suffered for a lack of simplicity, but added: "That said, it's a collection of eleven songs that will haunt and inspire you at the same time with a bewitching mix of influences and styles." Gigwise.com gave the album 4/5 and described it as "An ambitious attempt to give Banks his individuality back." then going on to say "Interpol may take most of the plaudits in his career but it’s Julian Plenti who reveals the true Paul Banks."

"Only if You Run" is featured in the end credits of the Joel Schumacher film Twelve, as well as in the episode "Sabotage" of Stargate Universe. "Skyscraper" is featured in the final scenes of the 2011 American thriller film I Melt with You.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Julian Plenti.

No.TitleLength
1."Only if You Run"3:49
2."Fun That We Have"3:41
3."Skyscraper"3:20
4."Games for Days"3:57
5."Madrid Song"2:08
6."No Chance Survival"4:04
7."Unwind"3:18
8."Girl on the Sporting News"2:53
9."On the Esplanade"3:41
10."Fly as You Might"3:57
11."H"2:39
Total length:37:22

Personnel

Additional

Chart performance

Chart (2009) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)70
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)81
UK Albums (OCC) 171
US Billboard 200103
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)1
US Independent Albums (Billboard)16
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)39

References

  1. ↑ "Interpol man to release solo album". NME. May 5, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Julian Plenti, 'Games for Days' – Video Premiere". Spinner.com. August 6, 2009. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Julian Plenti – "Games For Days" video premiere and Fallon tomorrow". Matadorrecords.com. August 6, 2009. Archived from the original on September 25, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Julian Plenti Is Skyscraper - Paul Banks, Juli..." AllMusic. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Julian Plenti – Julian Plenti is... Skyscraper". Clashmusic.com. July 8, 2009.
  6. ↑ Tudor, Alexander (August 4, 2009). "Julian Plenti – Julian Plenti Is Skyscraper / Releases / Releases". Drownedinsound.com. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Album Review: Julian Plenti / 'Julian Plenti Is Skyscraper' (Matador)". The-Fly.Co.Uk. July 31, 2009. Archived from the original on August 9, 2009. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  8. ↑ Hot right now (August 5, 2009). "Julian Plenti – 'Julian Plenti is... Skyscraper' (Matador) Released: 03/08/09". Gigwise. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Julian Plenti: Julian Plenti Is... Skyscraper :: Music :: Reviews :: Paste". Pastemagazine.com. August 7, 2009. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Album Reviews: Julian Plenti: Julian Plenti Is... Skyscraper". Pitchfork. July 31, 2009. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  11. ↑ Miller, Cody. "Julian Plenti: Julian Plenti Is… Skyscraper < PopMatters". Popmatters.com. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  12. ↑ Modell, Josh (August 5, 2009). "Julian Plenti, 'Julian Plenti Is...Skyscraper' (Matador)". SPIN.com. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  13. ↑ "NME Reviews – Album review: Julian Plenti – 'Julian Plenti Is Skyscraper'". Nme.Com. July 23, 2009. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  14. ↑ The Fly (June 10, 2009). "First Listen: 'Julian Plenti Is Skyscraper'". The-Fly.co.uk. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
  15. ↑ Gigwise (August 3, 2009). "Julian Plenti – 'Julian Plenti is... Skyscraper' (Matador) Released". Gigwise. Archived from the original on August 23, 2009.
  16. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Julian Plenti – Julian Plenti is Skyscraper" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Julian Plenti – Julian Plenti is Skyscraper" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  18. ↑ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK 1994–2010 Rodney P. – The Pussycat Dolls". Zobbel.de. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Paul Banks Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Paul Banks Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Paul Banks Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Paul Banks Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2020.