Album Review
Banks & Steelz - Anything But Words
4 StarsInterpol’s Paul Banks and Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA spark an unlikely collaboration. The results are even more of a surprise.
On paper this sounds like a bizarre collaboration – RZA, the unofficial head of Wu-Tang Clan releasing an album with the Paul Banks, lead singer of the notoriously gloomy Interpol. For extra bewilderment, Florence Welch guests on vocals.
Fortunately, what initially sounds like something that will never work out turns out to make perfect sense, with both RZA and Banks sounding rejuvenated and more energised than they have done in a long time by their day jobs. Kicking off with the aptly-titled ‘Giant’, RZA launches into a blistering tirade, perfectly complimented by the infectious hook and chorus Banks delivers. It sounds huge.
It’s worth noting that Banks has long proclaimed a love of hip-hop, with his influences a world apart from the atmospheric stylings of Interpol. Having previously collaborated with El-P, working with RZA shouldn’t be too much of a shock. What is surprising, however, is the collaboration with Florence Welch on ‘Wild Season’. In truth it’s the only misstep here, with Welch’s cameo seeming shoehorned in, as she battles against Banks to become the focal point of the song.
Elsewhere, the cameo from Ghostface Killah on ‘Love and War’ proves that alongside RZA, Wu-Tang were capable of so much more than their last release, the disappointing ‘A Better Tomorrow’. There’s a vibrancy and energy on display here that carries on throughout the first half of the record, betrayed by Banks’ dry yet impossibly catchy vocals.
Towards the end of the album, there’s a shift in focus, with the like of ‘One on One’, an album highlight, taking on a more atmospheric, downcast tone, as Banks takes centre stage. More reminiscent of his solo work than anything he’s done with Interpol, it will be interesting to see whether this project feeds into whatever he chooses to do next.
This probably won’t appeal to Interpol fans desperately hoping that Banks returns to the despair of ‘Turn On The Bright Lights’, but the sound of two artists pushing each other forward makes for a fascinating listen. This isn’t just the sound of two polar opposites coming together and hoping something sticks. This is a group that have earned their right to be heard. They should be taken seriously.
Read More
Wu-Tang Clan added to Boardmasters 2019
The Wombats are playing, too.
21st February 2019, 12:00am
Banks & Steelz announce London show at KOKO
Interpol's Paul Banks and Wu-Tang Clan's RZA will make their UK live debut in November.
30th August 2016, 12:00am
Win tickets to see The Wu-Tang Clan, Peluché & more at Nozstock 2015
Festival takes place at “The Hidden Valley”, Herefordshire, this June.
13th April 2015, 12:00am
Wu-Tang Clan announce UK headline shows for 2015
Two shows take place next year, following the group’s 20th anniversary.
12th December 2014, 12:00am
With Bob Vylan, St Vincent, girl in red, Lizzy McAlpine and more.