• Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Oct 22, 2012
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 23
  2. Negative: 2 out of 23
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  1. Nov 18, 2012
    9
    Banks is a fantastically emotional and cohesive album from the Interpol frontman. The simple fact is that this album puts the last two Interpol records to shame. It's atmosphere and lyrical content put it on another level.
  2. Nov 13, 2012
    4
    I want so much to love this record because of my love of Banks, Interpol, and the original Julian Plenti record. But where there were faults on the Julian Plenti LP that I would overlook, here it's hard to make excuses for the poorer arrangement when the best songs aren't that great. Where his words were once haunting and surreal, he's become more direct and boring. You can hear that heI want so much to love this record because of my love of Banks, Interpol, and the original Julian Plenti record. But where there were faults on the Julian Plenti LP that I would overlook, here it's hard to make excuses for the poorer arrangement when the best songs aren't that great. Where his words were once haunting and surreal, he's become more direct and boring. You can hear that he doesn't care what anyone else thinks- so much so that he's lost touch with aspiring to be something more. If this was his only record he would be forgotten faster than any other indie band coming out of Brooklyn today. Shame on his producer and Matador for not pushing a more talented and capable man. Collapse
  3. Nov 5, 2012
    9
    Hard to believe anyone would go under 80 for this. When most of pitchfork's top 100 is recycled drivel and brian wilson tribute bands, this album is so listenable. I cant stop listening to it, which is the first album in ages I can say that about. Detractors presumably thought Echo and the Bunnymen were throwaways as well
  4. Oct 31, 2012
    10
    Filter magazine rating is wrong. It's 81 and not 72. And this lacks NME review and Q magazine review, both 8. This is a great album. The Base, Over My Shoulder, I'll Sue You are thrilling and unpredictable. Arise Awake has a great progressive beat. Young Again has a great outro - so does Summertime Is Coming. Paid for That is scary; Another Chance and Lisbon are great instrumentals. 10/10Filter magazine rating is wrong. It's 81 and not 72. And this lacks NME review and Q magazine review, both 8. This is a great album. The Base, Over My Shoulder, I'll Sue You are thrilling and unpredictable. Arise Awake has a great progressive beat. Young Again has a great outro - so does Summertime Is Coming. Paid for That is scary; Another Chance and Lisbon are great instrumentals. 10/10 for my liking. Expand
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 23
  2. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. Magnet
    Dec 4, 2012
    65
    On Banks, he takes a decent pass at pop. [No. 93, p.54]
  2. Nov 28, 2012
    70
    Anchored by the fantastic production of longtime Interpol collaborator Peter Katis, the incorporation of drum loops, sampled dialogue a la Primal Scream's "Loaded" and textural Books-esque embellishments on songs like "Arise Awake" and "Another Chance" offers the sense of sonic adventure Interpol never entertained.
  3. Q Magazine
    Nov 21, 2012
    80
    The real delights are the dreamily sinister instrumental sections. [Dec 2012, p.100]