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Banks
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Banks Image
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length solo album for the Interpol frontman is his first under his real name (he released two albums under the name Julian Plenti).
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Top Track

The Base
What I draw today Will be recognized as shape I spoke to the base And the base says "we wait" So I smoke an old cigar While the giant sun... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Nov 1, 2012
    83
    He's still an undisputed expert at cannily spinning his joy-divided spiderwebs. [2 Nov 2012, p.68]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Under The Radar
    Oct 22, 2012
    80
    Banks allows an astonishing texture to flourish without trumping songcraft, as the accoutrements he adds serve to embellish his adroit arrangements.
  3. Mojo
    Oct 22, 2012
    80
    It makes a terrific album, stronger than Interpol's last two, with enough detail in the arrangement to separate Banks and his day job. [Nov 2012, p.95]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Drowned In Sound
    Oct 22, 2012
    70
    It lacks cohesion, with eerie instrumentals featuring with gentle acoustic tracks, it is a noble attempt to progress a rather formulaic, albeit excellent, musical career.
  5. The Boston Phoenix
    Oct 24, 2012
    63
    Even though the album's zany unpredictability can be thrilling, it often feels like Banks is adorning vacant tunes ("Arise Awake," the plodding instrumental "Another Chance") with bells and whistles.
  6. Alternative Press
    Oct 19, 2012
    60
    Banks is a dense (and sometimes prickly) listen that's not immediately accessible, although it rewards those who give it time. [Nov 2012, p.86]
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  7. The Independent (UK)
    Oct 19, 2012
    20
    This solo album is stuffed with aloof, adolescent apocalyptism and self-regard set to lumpy, mechanistic beats and cluttered arrangements.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Roberto
    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,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. 10/10 for my liking.… Expand
  2. newtonfig
    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, thisHard 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… Expand
  4. Tokyochuchu
    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 twoBanks 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.… Expand
  5. aethelyon
    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 faultsI 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.… Expand

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