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User
Reviews 20
Approval 91%
Album Ratings 496
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Last Active 03-13-15 10:13 pm
Joined 02-15-13
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| The Death Grips Spectrum
OR: HOW ONE GROUP CHANGED THE FACE OF HIP-HOP IN JUST THREE YEARS On July 2nd the rhighly influential noise-hop and experimental hip-hop outfit known as Death Grips released rwhat may be their final statement: They had "officially stopped". All live dates were cancelled rrand the band appears to have ended. But Death Grips were always more than just a band. rLike the great noise artists, they represented experimentation and attacked the conventions rof musical form. They pushed the limits of their genre and established themselves as a unique rforce of pure carnage and unpredictability. Death Grips went in the way that only Death Grips rcould. After an elusive start followed by the announcement of being signed by Epic Records, rnumerous no-shows, remixing songs from Bjork's latest album, self-releasing their own album rfor free (resulting in being dropped by Epic), the album's cover of Zach Hill's erect penis, Hill rdrumming over Skype at live shows, being signed by Harvest Records, faking the destruction rof a drum kit, freely self-releasing another album, more no-shows, planning to tour with Nine rInch Nails and Soundgarden and self-releasing half of yet another album that featured Bjork, rthe surprise of cancelling the band wasn't really much of a surprise for fans used to their self rcentred ethos. And so, while we will all definitely miss what Death Grips brought and the pure rjoy of following their radical development, they are a band destined to become legendary. rTheir discography is worth delving into as often as possible so here are the best Death Grips ralbums in order. Originally posted here: rhttp://supernormalreviews.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/the-death-grips-spectrum/ | | 1 | | Death Grips
The Powers That B - Part I: Niggas on the Moon
While I swore that I would not review this until the second half of the album was released, certain circumstances have
greatly changed my mind. The least accessible of Death Grips' releases, part 1 of The Powers that B - Niggas on the Moon -
is a wash of incomprehensible lyricism and structureless melodies. While obscure however, Death Grips' usual themes of
suicide and general death resurface. The appearance of Bjork doesn't particularly add much to Death Grips' sound nor does it
detract from it. Really, any female vocal sample would have achieved the same effect, an effect that fails to highlight
Flatlander's excellent electronic composition. A disappointing last release, but part 2 may be able to make up for it. | | 2 |  | Death Grips
Government Plates
Government Plates is the kind of album that never approaches the potential of their
first track - a brilliantly heavy opener more akin to noisy dubstep than hip-hop. Yet,
as the album continues, the more strange and the more disappointing it gets. When
Birds was first released, fans were left wondering whether this was a deliberate
attempt to confuse listeners, but alas the song fits into the peculiarity of the
album's style. Furthermore, songs are short, repetitive and contain little vocal
input. Overall, Government Plates problem is that, while still a decent album, it felt
underwhelming for a band with a noisy and intense discography making it a
polarising album for Death Grips fans. | | 3 |  | Death Grips
Exmilitary
The first proper release by the band really set the tone for what was to come.
While skittery and repetitive, Exmilitary felt like a hip-hop meets punk album.
Flatlander established his noisy and ugly style, but the first track itself established
Death Grips' entire existence, full of primal urges and pushing oneself to the edge.
Power trips, social criticism and violent/sexual urges flow out of MC Ride like abuse
out of a drill sergeant. Ultimately, certain songs become overbearing, but the core
of Death Grips' style and ideology can be found in its earliest form here. | | 4 |  | Death Grips
No Love Deep Web
No Love Deep Web is significant in Death Grips' lifespan as it features not only the
band's most defining image, but also their darkest music to date. Terror and
aggression dominate MC Ride's thoughts presented through a stripped down, live-
sounding sound. Recorded at the prestigious Chateaux Marmont in LA, the band
experimented with electronic drums and simpler synth lines. The album represented
Death Grips' movement away from "catchy" hooks towards more dark lyricism and
less structured music. The anticipation for No Love Deep Web was enormous, but
the sonic difference since their previous album tied with the casually executed free
internet release shattered expectations and surprised many. | | 5 |  | Death Grips
The Money Store
Arguably Death Grips' magnum opus, The Money Store is the point where Death
Grips' ideas were fully realised. A perfect combination of electronic experimentation,
intense drumming and deep lyricism the album is near perfect from start to finish.
This is pure unpredictable anger, aggression and abrasion delivered through Stefan
"MC Ride" Burnett's terrifying and terrified unhinged vocals. The oft overlooked
member of the group however provides the most important part to the band's
sound. Flatlander's eclectic sampling and ear-splitting, heavy "melodies" only add to
the melting pot and brings new levels to their brilliantly grotesque uniqueness.
Death Grips sought to make their music exist in a place between terror and
rumination and not only did they succeed but they practically created their own
legend. | |
WizardZombie
07.09.14 | why does this damn website keep sticking r's in my text | MalleusMaleficarum
07.09.14 | BY ANY MEANS NECESSERATED | mryrtmrnfoxxxy
07.09.14 | nice | deathschool
07.09.14 | Sweet list. I disagree about Niggas on the Moon though. I think it's their best release. I also kind of think you don't give enough credit to to Exmilitary and Goverent Plates. Still. Sweet list. | MalleusMaleficarum
07.09.14 | damn deafschool u crayzee | MalleusMaleficarum
07.09.14 | its neck and neck with TMS. depends on the day for me. | MalleusMaleficarum
07.09.14 | nah fuck that. song isnt angry enough to be best DG. | MalleusMaleficarum
07.09.14 | you can hear chill voices from 4057592750687 other rappers ffs
nah im just messin around that song is awesome
but Beware is nex level | deathschool
07.09.14 | I prefer The Money Store as an album, but Beware pretty much puts everything on TMS to shame. | MalleusMaleficarum
07.09.14 | Some of the TMS bangers like The Fever or Blackjack; just imagine those songs if they had Exmilitary type production on 'em. They would break earth. | deathschool
07.09.14 | I think the production on TMS is what they needed for that album though. | MalleusMaleficarum
07.09.14 | Yeah it feels like it needed to be a little cleaner/less noisy than Exmil for sure but I still think The Fever or Blackjack would sound fuckin awesome with Exmil style prod. | HenchmanOfSanta
07.09.14 | I like Death Grips but lol every time their fanboys claim they "changed the face of hip-hop." | ChoccyPhilly
07.09.14 | NOTM is great and probably tied with TMS as their best so far | MalleusMaleficarum
07.09.14 | im a DG fanboy and ive never claimed that DG changed the face of hip hop so thats cool :) | BMDrummer
07.10.14 | Good list, love this group |
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