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Young Again
Paul Banks
Banks
2012

A solo album by the lead singer of a band you love can be pretty great; kind of like getting your hands on a collection of exclusive and unreleased bonus tracks.  Paul Banks's new album is fantastic.  I need this album at this particular time--I love the idea of finding something--a book, a song, an album--exactly when you need it most; when it will have the greatest impact.  I find myself returning to this album despite any new additions to my iPod.  It makes me feel something.  A lot of things.  Admittedly, the music sounds very similar to Interpol's (I guess it would be hard for it not to), but is, at the same time, something that exists independently of the music they've released. 

This album pulled me in immediately--as soon as I heard the opening bars of the first track, "The Base"...the way the music kind of shimmers and comes in quitely--almost like the sound of a cloud of insects, swarming at a distance.  "Young Again" is so beautiful it makes me feel nauseous (the mark of a particularly affecting piece of art, in my opinion).  It starts off simply--the roll of the drums and the dun, dun, dun of the accompanying bass line.  Paul Banks's voice comes in and the hairs on the back of my neck perk up: "Time is disgraceful/We're all just watching as things fall apart."  His voice is instantly recognizable--monotone, melancholic.  I love the contrast between the tone of his voice, and the words he sings (those "Rah, rahs" kill me--he sounds like a cheerleader who can't get his pompoms up).

This song is so complex--I think that is what keeps me coming back--do you hear when those strings come in after the first chorus?  Followed by that plinking Spanish-esque guitar?  This is music to listen to with your eyes closed (as pretentious as that sounds...).  It's either close my eyes, or have everyone see that they are welling up.