Government Plates

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Government Plates
Studio album by Death Grips
Released November 13, 2013 (2013-11-13)
Genre Experimental hip hop, industrial hip hop
Length 35:42
Label Third Worlds
Producer Andy "Flatlander" Morin, Zach Hill
Death Grips chronology

No Love Deep Web
(2012)
Government Plates
(2013)
Singles from Government Plates
  1. "Birds"
    Released: August 21, 2013

Government Plates is the third studio album by experimental hip hop group Death Grips. It was released for free download on November 13, 2013, following the release of the single "Birds" in August 2013. It was also uploaded by the band to multiple filesharing sites. Accompanying the album are eleven music videos, which were uploaded to the band's YouTube page.

On January 14, 2014, Government Plates was made available for purchase through iTunes, as well as streaming on Spotify.

Background

On May 10, 2013, it was announced that drummer Zach Hill was working on writing, directing, and soundtracking a feature film. This same announcement stated that he was also working on a third Death Grips studio album.[1] On July 8, it was announced that Death Grips launched their new label, Third Worlds. The label was created through "a unique relationship with Harvest/Capitol" to be distributed by Caroline Records. A 2014 release for their third studio album was also announced.[2] On August 21, 2013, a track titled "Birds" was posted to YouTube, and made available for free download.[3]

On January 15, 2014, Government Plates was released on iTunes, as well as being made available on Spotify.

Release

On November 13, 2013, Death Grips posted Government Plates on several websites for free download without any forewarning.[4][5][6] Subsequently, they released music videos for all eleven tracks on YouTube and streamed the full album on SoundCloud.[7][8][9][10] The album was released exactly 13 months, 13 days, and 13 hours after their previous album, No Love Deep Web.

The album was released to iTunes and Spotify on January 14, 2014.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Consequence of Sound [11]
CraveOnline 8/10[12]
Pitchfork 8.4/10[13]
The Skinny [14]
Slant Magazine [15]
This Is Fake DIY [16]
Tiny Mix Tapes [17]
Ultimate Guitar 7/10[18]
The Needle Drop 6/10[19]

Upon its release, Government Plates was met with generally positive reviews. Ian Cohen of Pitchfork awarded the album "Best New Music", writing: "Government Plates loudly reestablishes Death Grips as a group freed by having no ideals whatsoever, making music without a past about a present with no future."[13] Chase Woodruff of Slant Magazine gave the album a positive review, stating: "Government Plates doesn't budge an inch from the vulgar, militant nihilism of 2012's The Money Store or its follow-up, No Love Deep Web."[15] Joe Price of This Is Fake DIY referred to the album as "a sloppy lobotomy of hip-hop focused on provoking fear and intrigue."[16]

The album was placed at 43 on Spin's 50 Best Albums of 2013 list.[20]

However, some critics criticized "the lack of vocals" in the album. Consequence of Sound senior staff writer Dan Caffrey stated: "Although MC Ride’s presence is definitely felt, it’s more in repeated phrases and abstract vocalizations than the nasty stream-of-consciousness rhymes from other Death Grips releases."[11]

Track listing

No. Title Length
1. "You Might Think He Loves You For Your Money But I Know What He Really Loves You For It's Your Brand New Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat"   2:41
2. "Anne Bonny"   3:27
3. "Two Heavens"   3:02
4. "This Is Violence Now (Don't Get Me Wrong)"   2:37
5. "Birds"   4:38
6. "Feels Like a Wheel"   2:22
7. "I'm Overflow"   3:09
8. "Big House"   2:19
9. "Government Plates"   2:42
10. "Bootleg (Don't Need Your Help)"   2:06
11. "Whatever I Want (Fuck Who's Watching)"   6:38
Total length:
35:42

References

  1. Pelly, Jenn (May 10, 2013). "Death Grips to Soundtrack Feature Film Directed and Written by Zach Hill, Working on New Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 15, 2013. 
  2. Pelly, Jenn (November 15, 2013). "Death Grips Launch New Label Thirdworlds". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 9, 2013. 
  3. Battan, Carrie (August 22, 2013). "New Death Grips: "Birds"". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 15, 2013. 
  4. Grow, Kory (November 13, 2013). "Death Grips Give Away Their New Album 'Government Plates'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 15, 2013. 
  5. Obenschain, Philip (November 13, 2013). "Death Grips release surprise new album, ‘Government Plates,’ as free download". Alternative Press. Retrieved November 15, 2013. 
  6. "Death Grips give away surprise album 'Government Plates' for free - listen". NME. November 13, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013. 
  7. "Youtube Playlist: Government Plates". November 13, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2013. 
  8. Pelly, Jenn (November 13, 2013). "Death Grips Release Free Album Government Plates". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 15, 2013. 
  9. Martins, Chris (November 13, 2013). "Oh, Here's Death Grips' New Free Album 'Government Plates'". Spin. Retrieved November 15, 2013. 
  10. November 15, 2013. "Stream/download: Death Grips’ new album, Government Plates". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved November 13, 2013. 
  11. 11.0 11.1 Dan Caffrey, Pat Levy, Dan Pfleegor (November 19, 2013). "Death Grips - Government Plates". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved November 19, 2013. 
  12. Robinson, Iann (November 19, 2013). "Review: Death Grips Leave Hip Hop Behind on ‘Government Plates’". CraveOnline. Retrieved November 20, 2013. 
  13. 13.0 13.1 Cohen, Ian (November 19, 2013). "Death Grips 'Government Plates' Review". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved November 18, 2013. 
  14. Watson, Ross (November 25, 2013). "Death Grips – Government Plates". The Skinny. Retrieved November 25, 2013. 
  15. 15.0 15.1 Woodruff, Chase (November 17, 2013). Slant Magazine http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/death-grips-government-plates. Retrieved November 17, 2013.  Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. 16.0 16.1 Price, Joe (November 18, 2013). "Death Grips 'Government Plates' Review". This Is Fake DIY. Retrieved November 18, 2013. 
  17. Chandler, Simon (November 25, 2013). "Death Grips 'Government Plates' Review". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved November 25, 2013. 
  18. "Government Plates Review". Ultimate Guitar. November 22, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013. 
  19. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca1tyVTGf3w
  20. http://www.spin.com/articles/best-albums-2013/?slide=1

External links

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