Just when I thought I'd really have to wait an entire year for another Death Grips album, they go and drop another LP out of the blue. If you've been following the exploits of Death Grips (even if you haven't) you'll remember how they did a very similar thing with their last album No Love DEEP WEB, released last year. However, unlike last year, DG aren't in the same position they were in 2012. They're on their own label, and to coincide with the release of this new LP, they've posted a video for every single track on the LP... which all have their own unique way of being totally weird and wonderful.
But seeing as how it's been less than a year since their last release, and taking into account how that same situation made NLDW abut of a mixed bag in some respects; just how is the new Death Grips album?
Well, it certainly has its moments of brilliance, but sadly feels like the least inspired release Death Grips have released thus far.
That being said, one must take into account the amount of ambition usually found on a DG album, since their last 3 albums could easily be cited as the LPs that started the whole "industrial rap) trend. A trend that even Kanye West found himself trying to emulate on Yeezus. So yeah, this LP may not be that ambitious for DG, but it's still an incredibly forward-thinking piece of music.
Now lets get into the actual music! Because that's what I'm here to talk about!
Easily, the first three tracks are some of, if not the best tracks on the entire LP. The opener is a visceral piece of music that reminds me of my favorite moment from NLDW, "No Love", while the track "Anne Bonny" sees DG working with a lot of the sounds they've been working with for the past couple of albums, but with a more noise and intensity. However, the most aggressive, and perhaps my favorite track on Government Plates is the track "Two Heavens" which features an immense amount of aggression, but also has some of the best sampling I've heard DG incorporate into one of their tracks.
The track "Birds" finds a home on this LP after floating around on the internet for a couple of months, and it still works well as a calmer moment on this LP.
Before I wrap things up though, I have to address the major downside to this LP; the instrumental tracks. "This is Violence" and "Big House" are decent, and I actually enjoy the later quite a bit for just how odd it is. But tracks like "Feels Like A Wheel" and "Bootleg" just feel like filler. The title track is also a but underwhelming and runs into the same problem the weakest tracks from NLDW did; they lack a clear hook or lyrical edge and aren't really memorable as a whole. As far as the last track goes, DG use it (like they usually do on their releases) to add a longer, more contemplative tune to the album, but this track doesn't stick with me like "Hacker" or "Artificial Death in the West".
So overall, it was nice to see a new batch of tracks from one of my favorite bands, but I have to be honest and say that this LP is no where near as enjoyable as DG's last two releases, and while I was able to pull some fantastic tracks out of it, I don't think this LP will find a home in my top 5 of the year, sadly.
It's not like Death Grips cares about anybodies opinion anyway.
7.1/10
No comments:
Post a Comment