Maximo Park's Paul Smith Blames 'Seven Year Itch' for Solo Album

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Along with the dreaded bass solo, the solo album has the potential to stand as little more than a vanity project that is destined to do little more than send the band members back together again in an exercise of damage limitation. After all, does anyone listen to those Kiss solo albums?

So with the likes of the Killers' Brandon Flowers and Bloc Party's Kele Okereke flying the nest to spread their wings as they test the waters of new musical directions, it should come as no surprise that Maximo Park's hat-loving frontman Paul Smith has decided to follow suit with his own solo offering, 'Margins,' which is scheduled for release on Oct. 11. But what on earth possesses these artists to move out of their regular comfort zone?

Speaking to NME.com, the singer blamed the urge to strike out on his own on the "seven year itch."

He explained, "I do think it's a seven-year itch. Bloc Party and the Killers started around the same time as us and I think if you're a creative individual your interests are going to be all over the place. It makes sense to do something a bit different."

So now you know.