{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Government Plates | type = studio | artist = Death Grips | cover = GovernmentPlates.jpg | alt = | released = {{Start date|2013|11|13}} | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = *Experimental hip hop *Industrial *Deconstructed club *glitch hop | length = 35:42 | label = {{hlist|Third Worlds|Harvest}} | producer = Death Grips | prev_title = No Love Deep Web | prev_year = 2012 | next_title = The Powers That B | next_year = 2015 | misc = {{Singles | name = Government Plates | type = studio | single1 = Birds | single1date = August 21, 2013 }} {{Extra album cover | header = Alternative Record Store Day vinyl cover | type = album | cover = Alternate vinyl artwork for Government Plates by Death Grips.png | border = | alt = | caption = }} }} '''''Government Plates''''' is the third studio album by experimental hip hop group Death Grips. It was released for free download on November 13, 2013. It was also uploaded by the band to multiple file sharing sites, and music videos for every song were uploaded to the band's YouTube page. On January 14, 2014, ''Government Plates'' was made available for purchase through iTunes. The album has sold over 13,000 copies as of March 2015.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150321173437/http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |archive-date= March 21, 2015 |url=http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |title=Upcoming Releases |website=Hits Daily Double |publisher=HITS Digital Ventures }}</ref>
==Background== On May 10, 2013, it was announced that Death Grips drummer Zach Hill was working on a third Death Grips studio album while writing, directing, and scoring a film.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pelly|first=Jenn|title=Death Grips to Soundtrack Feature Film Directed and Written by Zach Hill, Working on New Album|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/50689-death-grips-to-soundtrack-feature-film-directed-and-written-by-zach-hill-working-on-new-album/|work=Pitchfork|access-date=November 15, 2013|date=May 10, 2013|archive-date=June 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604131743/http://pitchfork.com/news/50689-death-grips-to-soundtrack-feature-film-directed-and-written-by-zach-hill-working-on-new-album/|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 8, it was announced that Death Grips had launched their own record label, Third Worlds. The label was created through "a unique relationship with Harvest/Capitol" with a deal to be distributed by Caroline Records. It was also revealed that the album would be released the following year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pelly|first=Jenn|title=Death Grips Launch New Label Thirdworlds|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/51428-death-grips-launch-new-label-thirdworlds-for-new-album-out-in-2014|publisher=Pitchfork|access-date=July 9, 2013|date=November 15, 2013|archive-date=July 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130710150543/http://pitchfork.com/news/51428-death-grips-launch-new-label-thirdworlds-for-new-album-out-in-2014/|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 21, the album's only single "Birds" was made available for free download.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pitchfork.com/news/52003-new-death-grips-birds/ | title=New Death Grips: "Birds" | publisher=Pitchfork | date=August 22, 2013 | access-date=November 15, 2013 | author=Battan, Carrie | archive-date=January 23, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123124812/http://pitchfork.com/news/52003-new-death-grips-birds/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The song is notably built around a heavily edited sample of a guitar riff played by English actor Robert Pattinson, who used Hill's iPhone to record it.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pitchfork.com/news/57633-death-grips-birds-features-robert-pattinson-on-guitar/ | title=Death Grips' "Birds" Features Robert Pattinson on Guitar | website=Pitchfork | date=29 November 2014 | access-date=February 19, 2023 | archive-date=January 27, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127101753/https://pitchfork.com/news/57633-death-grips-birds-features-robert-pattinson-on-guitar/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
==Release== On November 13, 2013, Death Grips posted ''Government Plates'' on several websites for free download without any forewarning.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/death-grips-give-away-their-new-album-government-plates-20131113 | title=Death Grips Give Away Their New Album 'Government Plates' | magazine=Rolling Stone | date=November 13, 2013 | access-date=November 15, 2013 | author=Grow, Kory | archive-date=November 15, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115141045/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/death-grips-give-away-their-new-album-government-plates-20131113 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/death_grips_release_surprise_new_album_government_plates_as_free_download | title=Death Grips release surprise new album, 'Government Plates,' as free download | magazine=Alternative Press | date=November 13, 2013 | access-date=November 15, 2013 | author=Obenschain, Philip | archive-date=December 3, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203070428/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/death_grips_release_surprise_new_album_government_plates_as_free_download | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.nme.com/news/death-grips/73822 | title=Death Grips give away surprise album 'Government Plates' for free - listen | magazine=NME | date=November 13, 2013 | access-date=November 15, 2013 | archive-date=November 15, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115025402/http://www.nme.com/news/death-grips/73822 | url-status=live }}</ref> Subsequently, they released music videos for all eleven tracks on YouTube and streamed the full album on SoundCloud.<ref>{{cite web|title=Youtube Playlist: Government Plates| website=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL55Jv4fGPIb9O0WdJDmGfCZz-C_rBiRM5|access-date=November 13, 2013|date=November 13, 2013|archive-date=January 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118202443/http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL55Jv4fGPIb9O0WdJDmGfCZz-C_rBiRM5|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="p4k">{{cite web | url=https://pitchfork.com/news/52999-death-grips-release-free-album-government-plates/ | title=Death Grips Release Free Album Government Plates | publisher=Pitchfork | date=November 13, 2013 | access-date=November 15, 2013 | author=Pelly, Jenn | archive-date=November 14, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114012345/http://pitchfork.com/news/52999-death-grips-release-free-album-government-plates/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.spin.com/2013/11/death-grips-government-plates-stream-download-free-album/ | title=Oh, Here's Death Grips' New Free Album 'Government Plates' | magazine=Spin | date=November 13, 2013 | access-date=November 15, 2013 | author=Martins, Chris | archive-date=October 8, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008064809/http://www.spin.com/2013/11/death-grips-government-plates-stream-download-free-album/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://consequence.net/2013/11/streamdownload-death-grips-new-album-government-planes/ | title=Stream/download: Death Grips' new album, Government Plates | magazine=Consequence of Sound | access-date=November 13, 2013 | date=November 13, 2013 | archive-date=November 13, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113233715/https://consequence.net/2013/11/streamdownload-death-grips-new-album-government-planes/ | url-status=live }}</ref> 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.
On November 28, 2014, 900 vinyl copies of ''Government Plates'' were released for Record Store Day Black Friday, containing new artwork and a physical replica of the license plate on the cover.
==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | ADM = 7.6/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/6008/Death-Grips-Government-Plates.aspx|title=Government Plates by Death Grips reviews|website=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=January 6, 2020|archive-date=July 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722004631/http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/6008/Death-Grips-Government-Plates.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> | MC = 75/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/government-plates/death-grips|title=Reviews for Government Plates by Death Grips|website=Metacritic|access-date=June 9, 2014|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220024605/http://www.metacritic.com/music/government-plates/death-grips|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev1 = ''Consequence of Sound'' | rev1score = {{rating|2.5|5}}<ref name="CoS-review">{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2013/11/album-review-death-grips-government-plates/|title=Album Review: Death Grips – Government Plates|work=Consequence of Sound|date=November 19, 2013|access-date=November 19, 2013|last1=Caffrey|first1=Dan|last2=Levy|first2=Pat|last3=Pfleegor|first3=Dan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131124213926/https://consequence.net/2013/11/album-review-death-grips-government-plates/|archive-date=November 24, 2013}}</ref> | rev2 = ''DIY'' | rev2Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="diy">{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/albums/death-grips-government-plates/|title=Death Grips – Government Plates|work=DIY|date=November 18, 2013|access-date=November 18, 2013|last=Price|first=Joe|archive-date=November 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123191948/http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/albums/death-grips-government-plates/|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Drowned in Sound'' | rev3score = 8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/17999/reviews/4147217|title=Album Review: Death Grips – Government Plates|work=Drowned in Sound|date=November 27, 2013|access-date=November 27, 2013|last=Bass|first=George|archive-date=November 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131130120736/http://www.drownedinsound.com/releases/17999/reviews/4147217|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Fact'' | rev4Score = 3.5/5<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2013/11/26/death-grips-government-plates/|title=Government Plates|work=Fact|date=November 26, 2013|access-date=November 26, 2013|last=Calvert|first=John|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813055026/http://www.factmag.com/2013/11/26/death-grips-government-plates/|archive-date=August 13, 2016}}</ref> | rev5 = ''NME'' | rev5Score = 8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/death-grips/14998|title=Death Grips – 'Government Plates'|work=NME|date=December 13, 2013|access-date=March 22, 2014|last=Cooper|first=Leonie|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813081817/http://www.nme.com/reviews/death-grips/14998|archive-date=August 13, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev6 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev6score = 8.4/10<ref name="p4k-review">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18779-death-grips-government-plates/|title=Death Grips: Government Plates|work=Pitchfork|date=November 19, 2013|access-date=November 18, 2013|last=Cohen|first=Ian|archive-date=November 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131119230117/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18779-death-grips-government-plates/|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev7 = ''PopMatters'' | rev7score = 8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/review/176706-death-grips-government-plates/|title=Death Grips: Government Plates|work=PopMatters|date=November 26, 2013|access-date=November 26, 2013|last=Stevens|first=Nathan|archive-date=November 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127191603/http://www.popmatters.com/review/176706-death-grips-government-plates/|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev8 = ''Rolling Stone'' | rev8score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="rollingstone">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/government-plates-20131202|title=Government Plates|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=December 2, 2013|access-date=March 22, 2014|last=Hermes|first=Will|author-link=Will Hermes|archive-date=February 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228162155/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/government-plates-20131202|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev9 = ''Slant Magazine'' | rev9Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="rs">{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/death-grips-government-plates|title=Death Grips: Government Plates|work=Slant Magazine|date=November 17, 2013|access-date=November 17, 2013|last=Woodruff|first=Chase|archive-date=April 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403173535/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/death-grips-government-plates|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev10 = ''Spin'' | rev10Score = 8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/2013/11/death-grips-government-plates-spin-essential/|title=Death Grips Are Through Being Polite on the Manic, Defiant 'Government Plates'|work=Spin|date=November 26, 2013|access-date=March 22, 2014|last=Currin|first=Grayson}}</ref> }}
Upon its release, ''Government Plates'' was met with generally positive reviews. At Metacritic the album received an average score of 75, which indicates "generally favorable", based on 18 reviews.<ref name="Metacritic"/> 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."<ref name="p4k-review"/> 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''."<ref name="rs"/> Joe Price of DIY referred to the album as "a sloppy lobotomy of hip-hop focused on provoking fear and intrigue."<ref name="diy"/>
The album was placed at 43 on ''Spin''{{'}}s 50 Best Albums of 2013 list.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.spin.com/2013/12/best-albums-2013/nwts/ |title=Drake, Nothing Was the Same (OVO/Young Money/Cash Money/Republic) SPIN |access-date=2018-04-05 |archive-date=2018-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822050140/https://www.spin.com/2013/12/best-albums-2013/nwts/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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."<ref name="CoS-review"/>
==In other media== "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" was featured in a 2014 commercial for the Intersport shoe line.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rettig|first=James|date=September 2, 2014|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1702424/death-grips-soundtrack-adidas-commercial/video/|title=Death Grips Soundtrack Adidas Commercial|website=Stereogum|access-date=January 25, 2019|archive-date=January 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126000826/https://www.stereogum.com/1702424/death-grips-soundtrack-adidas-commercial/video/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Track listing== All songs written, recorded and produced by Death Grips. {{Track listing | total_length = 35:42 | all_writing = | title1 = 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 Pill-Box Hat | length1 = 2:41 | title2 = Anne Bonny | length2 = 3:27 | title3 = Two Heavens | length3 = 3:02 | title4 = This Is Violence Now (Don't Get Me Wrong) | length4 = 2:38 | title5 = Birds | length5 = 4:38 | title6 = Feels Like a Wheel | length6 = 2:22 | title7 = I'm Overflow | length7 = 3:09 | title8 = Big House | length8 = 2:19 | title9 = Government Plates | length9 = 2:42 | title10 = Bootleg (Don't Need Your Help) | length10 = 2:06 | title11 = Whatever I Want (Fuck Who’s Watching) | length11 = 6:38 }}
==Personnel== ;Death Grips * Stefan Burnett * Zach Hill * Andy Morin
;Additional musicians * Rob Pattinson – guitar on "Birds"
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{official website|http://thirdworlds.net|Official website}}
{{Death Grips}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2013 albums Category:Death Grips albums Category:Albums free for download by copyright owner Category:Harvest Records albums