Government Plates
by Death Grips
  • Record Label: Harvest
  • Release Date: Nov 13, 2013
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 111 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 81 out of 111
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 111
  3. Negative: 9 out of 111

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  1. Daniel_B
    Mar 22, 2015
    7
    Death Grips' weakest album. That said, it's still pretty good. Pillbox Hat, Anne Bonny, and Two Heavens serve as a great opening, but the album falls off from there.
    Birds and Whatever I Want are high points, but overall, the album is severely lacking in vocals, and the production sound almost like stereotypical house. The production might have worked better if Ride's vocals weren't so    Death Grips' weakest album. That said, it's still pretty good. Pillbox Hat, Anne Bonny, and Two Heavens serve as a great opening, but the album falls off from there.
    Birds and Whatever I Want are high points, but overall, the album is severely lacking in vocals, and the production sound almost like stereotypical house. The production might have worked better if Ride's vocals weren't so lacking.
    Still, with a band like DG, I'm happy to see them trying new things, because it can lead to some interesting things (the opener is one of DG's best songs so far). Sometimes, it just doesn't work that well.    … Expand
  2. percy972
    Jun 9, 2014
    8
    Simplistic, minimalistic, and nihilistic, this album seems more like an experiment for them, on top of their already-experimental genre. It's my least favorate of their albums, but they still offer the memorable first half with Ride's awesome yells and grunts.
  3. Vampire25
    Sep 8, 2014
    8
    As prolific and genre-bending Death Grips actually are, their DIY ethic of releasing music is what sets them apart from most other musical acts. This record, Government Plates, fell right out of the blue one day only to be listened by every and any die hard Death Grips fan. No pay, no anything. Didn't even pull a "Radiohead". Same goes for "No Love Deep Web", but that was slightly aAs prolific and genre-bending Death Grips actually are, their DIY ethic of releasing music is what sets them apart from most other musical acts. This record, Government Plates, fell right out of the blue one day only to be listened by every and any die hard Death Grips fan. No pay, no anything. Didn't even pull a "Radiohead". Same goes for "No Love Deep Web", but that was slightly a different situation. Death Gips have proven time and time again that they obviously stride for such obscurities for their own sick, distorted pleasure.

    The first few tracks are some of the heaviest tracks they've produced yet. MC Ride sounds manic of course, but the true beauty to this record are Flatlander and Zach Hill. The productions never been this raw, never this heavy. Zach's drumming opts for a more primal sound, whereas "The Money Store" and "No Love" they feel very generated, synthetic sounding. Instead of Ride being the forefront shouting his obscenities in your ear so loud it almost hurts, he almost takes a backseat. Jumps in to spit a few loud verses, then basically sampled throughout the track. Some find it a bad thing, I don't mind it honestly. If not for the production being so abrasive and quite clearly the point, it'd be a deal breaker.

    All In All, "Government Plates" is their rawest release. Minimalistic on some tracks, screwdriver in your ear abrasiveness on others, but always keeping it one step ahead of almost every modern hip hop act. B+    … Expand
  4. ihavevocaloid
    May 10, 2015
    7
    Coming from the previous releases of Death Grips, Government Plates is a disappointment. But it is still a good album nonetheless. Death Grips is still holding on to their aggressive, experimental sound, but MC Ride isn't rapping enough (he's the reason we all love Death Grips, right?) and I don't see very many instances of Zach Hill's excellent drumming skills. In my opinion, this wouldComing from the previous releases of Death Grips, Government Plates is a disappointment. But it is still a good album nonetheless. Death Grips is still holding on to their aggressive, experimental sound, but MC Ride isn't rapping enough (he's the reason we all love Death Grips, right?) and I don't see very many instances of Zach Hill's excellent drumming skills. In my opinion, this would have been better credited to Andy Morin, with guest appearances from his band members. But this album still has some great material. I think it's hard to not like "Birds". Grade: B. Highlights: "Two Heavens", "You Might Think...", "Birds". Worst song: "Feels like a Wheel"… Expand
  5. YT_Guyyy
    Feb 17, 2017
    9
    I don't really see the problem. I think this is great! Sure, it's not the "Ride Rodeo" we've come to expect from Death Grips, but it's more like the "Hill and Morin Haunted House". The instrumentals are the main focus, is what I meant. Ride's vocals are used like Thom Yorke's vocals on Kid A at points, with them just being a part of the beat. And I feel that takes away a bit of the kick,I don't really see the problem. I think this is great! Sure, it's not the "Ride Rodeo" we've come to expect from Death Grips, but it's more like the "Hill and Morin Haunted House". The instrumentals are the main focus, is what I meant. Ride's vocals are used like Thom Yorke's vocals on Kid A at points, with them just being a part of the beat. And I feel that takes away a bit of the kick, which I feel might be a big issue to others. However, I myself think it brings a nice ominous sound to the beats.

    TL;DR
    It's a great album, but different from all their other releases (although that's their goal, innit?)    … Expand
  6. All_ButTrU4
    Apr 10, 2021
    8
    This album had many expectations attached to it due to the success of it's predecessor and it matched it rather than surpass. It's a powerful compilation of song that although less chaotic and noisy than "the money store" just as heavy and loud. It feels more repeatable than the magnum opus which could disinterest longtime fans but it's a decision that makes sense after the attention theyThis album had many expectations attached to it due to the success of it's predecessor and it matched it rather than surpass. It's a powerful compilation of song that although less chaotic and noisy than "the money store" just as heavy and loud. It feels more repeatable than the magnum opus which could disinterest longtime fans but it's a decision that makes sense after the attention they received. I loved the coverart and song titles. The production was phenomenal and the lyrics a confusing abstract mess just the way I want it when listening to a deathgrips record. Favourites:birds,pillbox hat,what ever i want… Expand
  7. meshiks
    Mar 20, 2019
    8
    exelente album de hip hop experimental, não sou tão fã de Death Grips mas esse album realmente é bom
  8. DontListen2Me
    Jan 2, 2021
    8
    Each of their first 3 albums have different styles but this album certainly changes it up far more than the rest, while I am certainly glad they tried new things here I don't think they all hit quite as well as their previous work.

    With that being said, the first song on this album is one of their best songs yet despite being a big variation on their usual sound, with much more of a    Each of their first 3 albums have different styles but this album certainly changes it up far more than the rest, while I am certainly glad they tried new things here I don't think they all hit quite as well as their previous work.

    With that being said, the first song on this album is one of their best songs yet despite being a big variation on their usual sound, with much more of a electronic sound. 'Anne Bonny' continues in a similar fashion and is another success. The rest of the album from here on out contains enjoyable songs with much less of MC Ride than usual and more electronic elements. With an exception for 'Birds', which stands out from the album and probably their entire discography with an almost completely different sound for much of the song but somehow works in the context of the album.

    Most of the songs here are 7/10s but a couple of fantastic songs take it up to an 8/10.    … Expand
  9. 666MAR
    Jun 4, 2021
    9
    This album is pure death grips, so iconic songs in this masterpiece, everyone new in this kind of havest music must check this album and give themselves an idea of how this music reaches an high artistic level.

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Most Discussed Album of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. The New York Times
    May 29, 2014
    70
    Those instrumentals stop and start, throb and zap, sprint and lurch, empty out or swarm with noise, and they often completely switch texture in midtrack--the more disorienting the better.
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  2. The Quietus
    May 29, 2014
    80
    [Government Plates] is bursting with kinetic energy and texture, and never focuses on one particular sound for overlong over its economical 36 minute run time. It's that sense of ever shifting energy and momentum that characterizes Death Grips best work and it's a relief to see it returned to.
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  3. DIY Magazine
    May 29, 2014
    80
    Featuring minimal hooks, guttural yelps and harrowing production, Government Plates sounds like nothing else this year--so in other words, it sounds a whole lot like Death Grips.
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