Anything But Words
Anything But Words | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 26, 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2013–2015 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | East Coast hip hop | |||
Length | 55:14 | |||
Label | Warner Bros. | |||
Producer | ||||
Paul Banks chronology | ||||
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RZA chronology | ||||
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Singles from Anything But Words | ||||
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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".
Background and recording
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]All songs produced by Paul Banks and RZA except where noted. Credits adapted from AllMusic.[16]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s)[19] | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Giant" |
| 3:52 | |
2. | "Ana Electronic" |
| 3:44 | |
3. | "Sword in the Stone" (featuring Kool Keith) |
| Andrew Wyatt | 4:50 |
4. | "Speedway Sonora" |
| 4:15 | |
5. | "Wild Season" (featuring Florence Welch) |
| 4:26 | |
6. | "Anything But Words" |
|
| 4:21 |
7. | "Conceal" |
| 3:59 | |
8. | "Love and War" (featuring Ghostface Killah) |
| 4:09 | |
9. | "Can't Hardly Feel" |
| 4:33 | |
10. | "One by One" |
| 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
[edit]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
[edit]Country | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Worldwide | August 26, 2016 | Warner Bros. |
Notes and references
[edit]Notes
- ^ a b Also an executive producer
References
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "El Pintor on Matador Records". Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- ^ Minsker, Evan; Camp, Zoe (June 5, 2014). "Interpol Announce New Album El Pintor". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- ^ Lowe, Zane (May 19, 2016). "World First: Banks & Steelz feat. Ghostface Killah – "Love & War"". Apple Music. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- ^ Phillips, Amy (May 18, 2016). "Interpol's Paul Banks and Wu-Tang's RZA Are Banks and Steelz". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Murphy, Sarah (May 20, 2016). "Banks & Steelz "Love + War" (ft. Ghostface Killah) (video)". Exclaim!. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- ^ Brodsky, Rachel (June 9, 2016). "RZA and Paul Banks (Banks & Steelz) to Release Collaborative Album, 'Anything But Words'". Spin. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- ^ Bowe, Miles (June 9, 2016). "Interpol's Paul Banks and RZA announced new LP, share 'Giant'". Fact. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- ^ Lozano, Kevin (July 14, 2016). "RZA and Interpol's Paul Banks Share New Song "Speedway Sonora": Listen". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
- ^ Trewn, Pranav (July 14, 2016). "Banks & Steelz – "Speedway Sonora"". Stereogum. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
- ^ Madden, Sidney (July 28, 2016). "Banks & Steelz Premiere "Sword in the Stone" Featuring Kool Keith". XXL. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
- ^ Brodsky, Rachel (August 12, 2016). "Banks & Steelz Share Album Title Track, 'Anything But Words'". Spin. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
- ^ "Anything but Words – Banks & Steelz". AllMusic. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
- ^ "Anything But Words by Banks & Steelz". iTunes U.S. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- ^ "Banks & Steelz (Paul Banks and RZA) – Anything But Words (2xLP)". Fatbeats. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ^ Anything But Words (album liner notes). Banks & Steelz. Warner Bros. Records. 2016.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ "Banks & Steelz Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
- ^ "Banks & Steelz Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
- ^ "Banks & Steelz Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
- ^ "Banks & Steelz Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2016.