Julian Plenti Is... Skyscraper

Julian Plenti Is...Skyscraper
Studio album by Julian Plenti
Released	August 4, 2009
Recorded	2008–2009
Studio	Seaside Lounge Studio, Brooklyn, New York City
Genre	Alternative rock, art rock
Length	37:22
Label	Matador
Producer	Paul Banks, Peter Katis
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 for the band Interpol, under the name Julian Plenti. It was released on August 4, 2009. ^[1]

The music video for "Games for Days" was directed by Javier Aguilera and features Emily Haines from Metric. ^{[2] [3]}

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[4]
Clash	(6.0/10.0) [5]
Drowned in Sound	(6/10) [6]
The Fly	[7]
Gigwise	[8]
Paste Magazine	(71/100) [9]
Pitchfork Media	(6.2/10) [10]
PopMatters	(4/10) [11]
Spin	[12]
NME	(positive) [13]
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". ^[14] 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." ^[5] 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." ^[15]

Track listing

All tracks written by Paul Banks.

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

"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 .

Personnel

• Julian Plenti/Paul Banks – Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Drums, Programming, writer, producer, Artwork By [Art Direction]
• Charles Burst – Drums (tracks 1, 3, 8), Recorded By
• Yoed Nir – Cello (tracks 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11)
• Dmitry Ishenko – Bass & Double Bass (tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11), Other [Session Logistics]
• Mike Stroud – Guitar Harmony (track 3)
• Jessica Pavone – Violin & Viola (tracks 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 11)
• Sam Fogarino – Drums (track 4)
• Striker Manley – Drums (track 6)
• Glenn White – Saxophone (tracks 7, 11)
• Alex Weiss – Saxophone (track 7)

Additional

• Peter Katis – Mixed By, Producer [Additional], Music By [Additional], Recorded by [Additional]
• Greg Giorgio – Recorded by [Additional]
• Mitch Rackin – Recorded By
• Mark O – Artwork By [Design]
• Jeremy Kirkland – Other [Logic Guru]
• Trevort Luikart – Other [Logic Guru]
• Matthew Salacuse – Photography
• Noah Goldstein – Recorded by [Vocals Tracked]

Chart performance

Chart (2009)	Peak position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [16]	70
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [17]	81
UK Albums (OCC) [18]	171
US Billboard 200 [19]	103
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) [20]	1
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [21]	16
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [22]	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. "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.