Always a brave idea in theory, in practice genre blending can mean the worst of both worlds.
Not here though. A collaboration between Paul Banks of indie mainstays Interpol and RZA (occasionally known as Bobby Steels, hence, almost, Steelz) of rap galacticos Wu-Tang Clan conceived in a New York tequila bar, Anything But Words could never be mistaken for rock or rap.
Instead, it’s a curious amalgam where Banks offers giant keyboard surges and conventional but wounded vocals, while RZA adds fiery verses and a sense of urgency.
Florence Welch guests unobtrusively on Wild Season; RZA’s fellow Wu Tangers Method Man and Ghostface Killah have brief cameos, but the finest moment is near-ballad One By One where Banks croons and RZA raps in the distant background, before emerging to assume control.
A triumph of restrained compromise.
(Warner Bros)
