Death Grips have released their second album of
2012 defying their major record label Epic Records. Death Grips are never
without controversy with this album being the most controversial of all. A
glance at the actual album cover reveals a slightly average/lower than average
sized male genitalia (just saying). "The Money Store" is hardly six
months old and already we have new material by the experimental hip-hop trio.
What was once an individualistic concept has since become something of a joke.
Releasing your album for free because your label delayed the album might just
very well be the stupidest thing Death Grips have done. Maybe they think people
would be impressed about this, total madness. Defying your record label in such
a malicious way is extraordinary. Think about it, they're defying their
employers; licenses have been broken here.
I personally favoured The Money Store over 2011's
mix tape "Exmilitary". Critics argued over whether or not Death
Grips could hold their own and release a studio album as good as the authentic mix
tape. Most believe it to be true; others still have a gripe for Death Grip's
debut album. Those that have a gripe for the debut will certainly have issues
with "No Love Deep Web"; I can assure the reader this album will
divide listeners completely. It's not just the nature if it's premature release;
it's the content that's thought provoking and questionable.
The album sits firmly on top of an erect penis.
Bass beats are at full focus, meaning percussion comes in a mere fourth place
behind bass, vocals and synths. No Love Deep Web is technically raw; however defining
raw won't reveal an album of layered bass beats. "Come Up And Get Me"
is arguably the least provocative track on the album. Layers of bass and synth
lines offer little over the aggressive MC Ride shrieks. The production hasn't faltered,
the effects are still there. "Lil Boy" is just as unfriendly and
repetitive as the opening track. A stark two noted synth line does nothing for
me. The heavy bass segment that follows is actually quite catchy and
dance-like. This track could be played in clubs; it's the bass and the
childlike high pitched keyboard notations. MC Ride speaks clearly and slowly
over the pre-chorus, and then the synth erupts for the chorus.
An early favourite would be "No Love".
MC Ride eases his vocals in with volume and a sporadic bass riff. The following
synth line is heavy, volume orientated and dark. MC Ride delivers a slightly
forward and treble vocal for the chorus. Hiding behind the bass is a song
structure that never falls apart. This album may be far less refined, far less
involved and heavy; however it's still structural and respectable. "BlackDice" follows on in a similar pattern. It's around Black Dice when
the bass beats become a little too much. These tracks are incredibly fast paced
and with the heavy bass it becomes strangely hard to listen. Black Dice does
have many features. The synth is a clear standout, as is the sudden finish to
the track.
"World of Dogs" is another standout
track. The refrain of, "It's all suicide" is enjoyable. It brings
back the refrain days of Death Grips where constant stream of texts would read
two/three worded lyrics from The Money Store and Exmilitary. "Lock Your Doors" is far heavier than the previous tracks. MC Ride utilizes reverb on
this track. The actual instrumental is quite simplistic and basic. The synth
bass rips through the centre of the track and it sounds like something out of a
horror movie.
MC Ride steps beyond his usual angered style on
"Whammy". The narrative lyrics work spectacularly well. The samples
are beginning to come in to effect, and the bass is beginning to open up a
little. This is a track that has both repetition and originality. As does the
following track "Hunger Games". MC Ride shouts, "You can
sit between the backseat and my dick," a usual Death Grips
comment. The difference between this album and The Money Store is that these
lyrics are expected now. We know we're going to be exposed to brilliant lyrical
twists.
The soul destroying "Deep Web" is
exactly what I just said, soul destroying. The bass is extremely heavy with an
even louder and aggressive synth. The lyrics are certainly darker and deeper.
"Don't make me take my face off", shouts MC Ride. A lyric that could
signify irony given his current stance of anarchy. In contrast,
"Stockton" doesn’t quite fit in with the other tracks here. Sure, the
bass beats are present, but the vocals and beat sound amateurish at best.
"Pop" follows with an even plainer structure than Stokton. It does
however have a bright synth riff with reverberation and delay. It’s an interesting
sound that never really comes out of Death Grips. It shows the light side and
the dark side in the same song, in the same segment.
"Bass Rattle Stars Out The Sky" takes
No love Deep Web to the next level. Forget the bass and forget the vocals, the
synth here is ecstatic. Not many tracks excite me quite like this on No Love
Deep Web. The following track "Artificial Death In The West” is actually
my favourite on the album. The beat and synth loop are quite conventional. It
sounds extremely political like the lyrics. This track sounds like Killer
Music, leaning towards his recent track "Reagan".
It's hard to summarize an album that has
been leaked way before its labels intended release date. No Love Deep Web
happens to be a decent album, regardless of controversial aspects such as the album
cover. Even then, it's hardly offensive. Death Grips have a predominantly male
audience... The cover has a penis on it. Most of us have one; it's not a big
deal at all. I'm just annoyed I have a severe amount of dicks on my last.fm
page. The album opens with pace and slowly comes to a melodic, darker ending
with the final two tracks. MC Ride may not have outdone himself lyrically, but
he's still up there as one of the most important figures in modern underground
music. The production team of Zach Hill and Andy Morin will be questioned.
The Money Store was clearly heavier, louder and generally speaking better. Listeners
can't take a great deal of information away from No Love Deep Web. It's not
that kind of album. It's there for the listening and it's free. Arguably a mix
tape, but we won't go down that road. It could very well be the album you've
been waiting for. Death Grips haven’t combined both The Money Store and Ex-military.
It has the production of Ex-military; it's just without the varieties.
~Eddie
6.0
