In a First Listen feature on their website, The-Fly.co.uk

The Fly (magazine)

The Fly is a free music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom. The magazine is published by the HMV owned MAMA Group.The magazine started as a listings leaflet in Camden, north London, for the Barfly music venue on Chalk Farm Road...

 said that Julian Plenti is... Skyscraper "could almost be two different albums – one with folky, Bon Iver

Bon Iver

Bon Iver is a Grammy nominated folk band founded in 2007 by American indie folk singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. It includes Michael Noyce, Sean Carey, and Matthew McCaughan. Vernon released Bon Iver's debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago independently in July 2007. The majority of that album was...

-esque lullabies and one with upbeat art-rock stomps" and that it is a "beautiful little sonic beast". ClashMusic.com

Clash (magazine)

Clash is a popular music and fashion magazine based in the United Kingdom. Its magazine title is published 12 times a year. It has a circulation of around 40,000....

 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

Gigwise.com

Gigwise.com is an online music magazine that features music news, photos, album reviews, music festivals, concert tickets, and a community forum. Founded in 2001, the magazine is based in the United Kingdom....

 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."

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

Joel Schumacher

Joel T. Schumacher is an American film director, screenwriter and producer.-Early life:Schumacher was born in New York City, the son of Marian and Francis Schumacher. His mother was a Swedish Jew, and his father was a Baptist from Knoxville, Tennessee, who died when Joel was four years old...

 film Twelve

Twelve (film)

Twelve is a 2010 crime film directed by Joel Schumacher. The film was written by Jordan Melamed, adapted from the novel of the same name by Nick McDonell. The film tells a story of drug addiction, violence, and sex among wealthy teenagers from Manhattan's Upper East Side...

, as well as in the episode "Sabotage" of Stargate Universe

Stargate Universe

Stargate Universe is a Canadian-American military science fiction television series and part of MGM's Stargate franchise. It follows the adventures of a present-day, multinational exploration team traveling on the Ancient spaceship Destiny many billions of light years distant from the Milky Way...

.

Personnel

• Julian Plenti/Paul Banks - Vocals, Guitar
  Guitar
  The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
  
  , Piano
  Piano
  The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
  
  , Drums
  Drum kit
  A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
  
  , Programming
  Programming (music)
  Programming is a form of music production and performance using electronic devices, often sequencers or computer programs, to generate music. Programming is used in nearly all forms of electronic music and in most hip hop music since the 1990s. It is also frequently used in modern pop and rock...
  
  , 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
  Ratatat
  Ratatat is a New York City electronic music duo consisting of Mike Stroud and producer Evan Mast .-History:Evan Mast and Mike Stroud first met as students at Skidmore College, but they did not work together until 2001, when they recorded several songs under the name "Cherry"...
  
   - Guitar Harmony (Track 3)
• Jessica Pavone - Violin & Viola (Tracks 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 11)
• Sam Fogarino
  Sam Fogarino
  Samuel Joseph Fogarino is the drummer of New York City-based band Interpol. He has played in bands The Holy Terrors, Gus, The Wahoos, Napoleon Solo, The Ton-ups and The Last Night....
  
   - Drums (Track 4)
• Striker Manley - Drums (Track 6)
• Glenn White - Saxophone (Tracks 7, 11)
• Alex Weiss - Saxophone (Track 7)

Additional

• Peter Katis
  Peter Katis
  Peter Katis is an American record producer, engineer, mixer and musician.Working primarily out of his own residential studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Katis is best known for producing alternative and indie rock bands, especially for Fat Cat Records.-Biography:Katis attended New Canaan Country...
  
   - 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]

Thanks

"Thanks to the Beatrice Inn, Lee Foster and Electric Lady Studios, Superstar Studios, CPH, and Mew

Special Thanks to my Family and Friends, to Matador and to The Champions:

Josh Kaufman, Adam Delamor, Anthony Arauz, Chris Lombardi, Nathan Holland, Sebastian Ischer, Matt Sweeney, Mike Stroud, Dave Scher, Sam Fogarino, Heinrich Kissel

Daniel Kessler

Daniel Alexander Kessler is the guitarist and backing vocalist for the New York City-based band Interpol. He was raised in the United States....

, Shamu

Carlos Dengler

Carlos Andres Dengler , previously known as Carlos D., is an American musician best known as the former bassist for the band Interpol.-Early life:...

, Sweet Al Banks, Harley Zinker, Matt Abramcyk, A. Aviva, Craig Robinson, Helena Christensen

Helena Christensen

Helena Christensen is a Danish fashion model, Victoria's Secret Angel, beauty queen, and photographer. She has also served as creative director for Nylon magazine, designed clothing, and supported funding for breast cancer organizations and other charities.-Early life:Christensen was born in...

, Bono

Bono

Paul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...

, Rich Costey

Rich Costey

Rich Costey is an American record producer, engineer, and mixer who has worked with many bands including Muse, Cave In, Thursday, Franz Ferdinand, Glasvegas, The Mars Volta, Doves, Bloc Party, Ontronik , Jimmy Eat World, My Chemical Romance, Supergrass, Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine, Nine...

, Ian Davis"