The original headline contained an error and has been changed. See the bottom of the article for additional information.
Ten years have passed since the release of rock group Interpol’s debut album “Turn on the Bright Lights,” and since then, much has changed for the band. With the departure of bassist Carlos D and the switch back to Matador Records, the band’s fate lacks stability.
Singer Paul Banks, however, is back, this time with a new solo effort under his real name (Banks previously had another solo project under the moniker Julian Plenti).
While the title of the album, “Banks,” lacks creativity, the ten-track work provides a refreshing take on the baritone’s iconic moody croons. Banks retains his melancholic tone and lyrics while touching on topics as light as summertime and feeling young and in love again. The LP takes a brief, unsuccessful turn with its experimental instrumental but ultimately delivers.
Moody ballad “The Base” opens the record, easing the listener in with its steady bass and guitar strums. Banks’ drones become fragile and vulnerable as the background fades into an eerie piano chord. He sings “Now and then I can see the truth, above the lies,” before the backbeat returns in a danceable crescendo of blaring guitars and echoes of Banks’ chorus.
“Over My Shoulder” continues this more positive take on Banks’ angst-inducing, deep vocals. Despite its piercing lyrics like “Over my shoulder there’s a heart that suffers deep” and “So you only know me like the shoreline knows the sea,” the song is incredibly catchy.
Layered drums, bass, cymbals and synths make this track one not to miss.
“I’ll Sue You,” while slow-paced and lacking in substantial lyrics (Banks repeats “I’ll sue you/ I’ll sue you/I’m suing you” ad nauseum), resembles an earlier Interpol anthem with its deep, melancholic vocals and dark, intense guitar.
Other standout songs include “Arise, Awake” and “Young Again.” Both are best summarized as sped-up lullabies: Banks softly coos against synthesized, crescendoed backbeats and repeats “I am young again, thanks a lot” on the latter, building up into a surprisingly calm, collective rhythm.
The album takes a sour turn with “Another Chance,” an experimental, haunting instrumental that opens with a recording of a young man vehemently arguing “I know I made a mistake, okay? … I have a neurological condition. Don’t you get that? There’s something wrong with my brain.” This unpleasant recording is mixed into a flurried combination of heavy guitar strums, eerie piano notes and dramatic violin solos, resulting in a disturbing, cacophonous track.
Fortunately, the album returns to its roots and Interpol’s nods to post-punk with “No Mistakes” and “Summertime is Coming.” Highlights on the former include hazy guitar riffs and intense drum breakdowns, while Banks’ ode to summer features just enough bass and echoing, booming vocals to make this track enjoyable year-round.
The songs on “Banks” are decidedly more upbeat and cheerful than a typical, brooding Interpol track, showing that Banks can definitely branch out without straying too far from the melancholic vocals and bass-heavy beats he’s known for.
““ Jessica McQueen
Email McQueen at jmcqueen@media.ucla.edu.
Correction: ‘Banks’ is a solo effort by Paul Banks and does not involve Interpol.