Anything But Words

Anything But Words is the debut studio album by Banks & Steelz, a collaborative project between Interpol vocalist Paul Banks and Wu-Tang Clan member RZA. It was released August 26, 2016, on Warner Bros. Records. Recording of the album dates back to 2013, with a demo of early material being created two years prior. Anything But Words features guest appearances by other musicians, as well as other Wu-Tang Clan members, and additional production from Ari Levine and Andrew Wyatt, among others. Five singles were released from the album; "Love and War", featuring Ghostface Killah, "Giant", "Speedway Sonora", "Sword in the Stone", featuring Kool Keith, and "Anything But Words".

Anything But Words
Studio album by
Banks & Steelz
ReleasedAugust 26, 2016
Recorded2013–2015
Studio
GenreEast Coast hip hop
Length55:14
LabelWarner Bros.
Producer
Paul Banks chronology
Everybody on My Dick Like They Supposed to Be
(2013)		 Anything But Words
(2016)
RZA chronology
Only One Place To Get It
(2014)		 Anything But Words
(2016)
Singles from Anything But Words
  1. "Love and War"
    Released: May 19, 2016
  2. "Giant"
    Released: June 9, 2016
  3. "Speedway Sonora"
    Released: July 14, 2016
  4. "Sword in the Stone"
    Released: July 28, 2016
  5. "Anything But Words"
    Released: August 12, 2016
  6. "Wild Season"
    Released: April 22, 2017

Background and recording

When asked by his manager who he would like to work together with musically, RZA responded with Interpol member Paul Banks. When asked about his choice in a 2013 Rolling Stone interview, RZA stated that Banks "just has an energy about him" and that "it [would] be great" if the two were to collaborate.[1] In 2011, during which the duo were not planning on making an album together, a demo of material was created with Banks providing vocals over a beat developed by RZA.[2] The first public mention of the duo's collaborations was made in the same Rolling Stone interview. It was during 2013 that the duo began working on an album together.[1] RZA expected the album to take about a year to finish.[3] During 2014, Banks' main project Interpol recorded a studio album titled El Pintor, which was then released in September of that year.[4][5] The duo wanted to release their material in 2015, but later realized that the material was unfinished.[3]

Release and promotion

The duo premiered the album's lead single, "Love and War", featuring fellow Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, on the Apple Music radio station Beats 1.[6][7] A video for the song, which pays tribute to a scene from the film Reservoir Dogs, was also released the following day.[8][9] Details for Anything But Words, as well as tour dates, were released on June 9. Also released on that day was the album's second single, "Giant".[10][11] "Speedway Sonora" was released as the album's third single on July 14.[12][13] "Sword in the Stone", featuring rapper Kool Keith, was released as the album's fourth single on July 28[14] and the album's title track was released as the fifth single on August 12.[15]

Track listing

All songs produced by Paul Banks and RZA except where noted. Credits adapted from AllMusic.[16]

Anything But Words — CD — digital download[17] — streaming — vinyl[18]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)[19]Length
1."Giant"
3:52
2."Ana Electronic"
  • Banks
  • Diggs
 3:44
3."Sword in the Stone" (featuring Kool Keith)
Andrew Wyatt4:50
4."Speedway Sonora"
  • Banks
  • Diggs
 4:15
5."Wild Season" (featuring Florence Welch)
 4:26
6."Anything But Words"
  • Banks
  • Diggs
4:21
7."Conceal"
 3:59
8."Love and War" (featuring Ghostface Killah)
 4:09
9."Can't Hardly Feel"
  • Banks
  • Diggs
 4:33
10."One by One"
  • Banks
  • Diggs
 4:48
11."Gonna Make It"
 5:46
12."Point of View" (featuring Method Man and Masta Killa)
 6:31
Total length:55:14

Charts
Chart (2016) Peak
position
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[20] 18
US Billboard 200[21] 186
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[22] 15
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard)[23] 11
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[24] 16

Release history
Country Date Format Label
Worldwide August 26, 2016
Warner Bros.

Notes and references

Notes

  1. Also an executive producer

References

  1. Zemler, Emily (October 8, 2013). "RZA on His New Movies and Recording With Paul Banks". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  2. Jackson, Reed (June 22, 2016). "Two Music Geeks: RZA and Paul Banks Explain What the Hell They're Doing with Banks & Steelz". Noisey. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  3. Horowitz, Steven J. (June 9, 2016). "RZA, Interpol's Paul Banks Talk Meeting in the Middle as Banks and Steelz". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  4. "El Pintor on Matador Records". Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  5. Minsker, Evan; Camp, Zoe (June 5, 2014). "Interpol Announce New Album El Pintor". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  6. Lowe, Zane (May 19, 2016). "World First: Banks & Steelz feat. Ghostface Killah – "Love & War"". Apple Music. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  7. Phillips, Amy (May 18, 2016). "Interpol's Paul Banks and Wu-Tang's RZA Are Banks and Steelz". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  8. Pearce, Sheldon (May 20, 2016). "RZA and Interpol's Paul Banks Pay Tribute to Reservoir Dogs in "Love + War" Video". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  9. Murphy, Sarah (May 20, 2016). "Banks & Steelz "Love + War" (ft. Ghostface Killah) (video)". Exclaim!. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  10. Brodsky, Rachel (June 9, 2016). "RZA and Paul Banks (Banks & Steelz) to Release Collaborative Album, 'Anything But Words'". Spin. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  11. Bowe, Miles (June 9, 2016). "Interpol's Paul Banks and RZA announced new LP, share 'Giant'". Fact. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  12. Lozano, Kevin (July 14, 2016). "RZA and Interpol's Paul Banks Share New Song "Speedway Sonora": Listen". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  13. Trewn, Pranav (July 14, 2016). "Banks & Steelz – "Speedway Sonora"". Stereogum. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  14. Madden, Sidney (July 28, 2016). "Banks & Steelz Premiere "Sword in the Stone" Featuring Kool Keith". XXL. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  15. Brodsky, Rachel (August 12, 2016). "Banks & Steelz Share Album Title Track, 'Anything But Words'". Spin. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  16. "Anything but Words – Banks & Steelz". AllMusic. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  17. "Anything But Words by Banks & Steelz". iTunes U.S. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  18. "Banks & Steelz (Paul Banks and RZA) – Anything But Words (2xLP)". Fatbeats. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  19. Anything But Words (album liner notes). Banks & Steelz. Warner Bros. Records. 2016.CS1 maint: others (link)
  20. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  21. "Banks & Steelz Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  22. "Banks & Steelz Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  23. "Banks & Steelz Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  24. "Banks & Steelz Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
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