Ok, here are some thoughts on Death Grips, cause I forgot earlier whoops
Iāve been feeling some latent frustration with how I see a lot of people online engage with their music. I donāt mean to be some kind of elitist about this, but a lot of the (deserved) praise that I see them getting feels kind ofā¦detached? Itās almost always coming from the kind of āwoah, this music is crazyā¦but it works somehow?ā mindset. I know Iām absolutely making a strawman argument here, but Iāve seen it enough times to where I feel like itās not just a person Iām making up in my head to be mad at.
I feel like some people donāt get that DG isnāt good in spite of the āinsanityā, theyāre good because of the āinsanityā. And Iāll admit, a lot of their music can be quite alienating! They use lots of abrasive textures, MC Rideās performances can get very intense, itās all a lot. But I feel like there are tons of moments of sheer beauty within DGās discography. The riff from Centuries of Damn comes to mind, itās so tired and desperate sounding, itās incredible.
Hearing the incredible art that DG puts out is great, but to see a lot of people in it for the pure spectacle is a little disheartening. And Iām not trying to claim to be the only one who really gets Death Grips, at least I hope Iām not. I just really only see people talk about how crazy they are instead of how flat-out good they are.
Like, each member of DG itself is so talented!
Rideās ability to channel that much visceral feeling into his performances is impressive on its own, itās a miracle his throat hasnāt completely given out yet. But it feels so shitty to pigeonhole his style into āFunny homeless man screamingā. First of all, thatās just fucking rude. Second, thatās so reductive! Screaming isnāt all he does, heās a really damn versatile performer! I never feel like heās phoning it in or reusing a vibe, he does exactly what needs to be done, every single track. Lots of the most memorable moments of DGās music are when Ride drops the yelling, and just talks. Itās chilling every time. Plus, his ability to keep a consistent flow over the off-kilter production is a feat all on its own.
Speaking of which, I think Andy Morin might be one of my favorite music producers right now. Right up there with Arca, Patricia Taxxon, Nigel Godrich, that real legendary shit. Like Ride, it never feels like Iām hearing the same thing twice. Each DG track sounds and feels so distinct, even while keeping within the general industrial, electronic, and punk sound palettes. Even my least favorite DG project in terms of production, NLDW, never ever felt lazy or unfinished. I think itās an excellent project, I just donāt personally enjoy it as much as other DG albums, for very superficial reasons. On projects I prefer more, I still strongly feel that heās very skilled at creating unique sounds, while still maintaining a sense of familiarity within the outlandish production.
Regarding Zach Hill, I think his drumming speaks for itself. Like, watch any video of a live Death Grips performance. That man goes absolutely ham on the drums, every single time. Itās a wonder he hasnāt snapped his wrists more often. Admittedly, he is the DG member I have the least to say about. I tend to get lost in the electronic elements of most DG tracks, I donāt pay as much attention to the drumming. I also have yet to check out Hella, but Iāve heard nothing but good things about them. Moving forward, Iām definitely going to try to keep my ears open to what heās doing while the other elements of the tracks pass me by. Iām certain Iāll find something incredible.
Put together, theyāre easily one of the most unique and consistently astonishing bands ever. I say that with my full chest. I donāt know, I just really like them! Sorry for the rambling, I just wanted to get all of this out there. Bottom line, Death Grips Good.
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