The Government - 33 RPM

babesinstyle2014

Review by Babes In Style

Alright, let’s dive into 33 RPM by The Government—a wild ride of punky synth-pop vibes straight outta Canada in '79. This album is like that weird cousin at family gatherings who shows up wearing neon spandex and somehow steals the show. It’s got grit, groove, and enough edge to keep you hooked. First off, the genres here are all over the place—Electronic, Rock, Punk, Synth-pop, New Wave—it’s like they couldn’t decide what box to fit in, so they just smashed a few together. And honestly? That works for them. You can tell Robert Stewart (bass, vocals, synths—you know, basically the whole package) had some serious creative control because this thing oozes personality. Now, onto the tracks. Two songs really stuck with me: “Zippers Of Fire” and “Flat Tire.” Let’s break it down. “Zippers Of Fire” hits hard right outta the gate. The bassline slaps—you feel it in your chest—and then those synths come swooping in like a spaceship landing in your backyard. There’s something about the way Robert’s voice cuts through the mix; it’s raw but still catchy as hell. Like, I found myself humming it while brushing my teeth last night. Weird, right? But that’s what makes it memorable. Oh, and props to Andrew James Paterson on guitar—he adds these sharp little riffs that give the track extra bite. Then there’s “Flat Tire,” which feels like cruising down a dark highway late at night. Edward Boyd’s drumming nails this driving rhythm, steady and relentless, while the percussion sneaks in just enough texture to keep things interesting. It’s kinda moody but also fun? Like, if Joy Division decided to hang out with Devo for an afternoon jam session, this might be the result. The chorus sticks in your head too—it’s one of those earworms you don’t mind having around. The production deserves a shoutout too. Chris Holland did a bang-up job keeping everything tight without losing the band’s chaotic energy. Douglas Clement made sure the recording was clean, even when the music wasn’t. And hey, whoever designed that sleeve (C. Holland again?) nailed the vibe—simple, bold, and just artsy enough to catch your eye. What gets me thinking, though, is how underrated this album probably is. Released in ’79 under The Modern World Incorporated, it came out during such a pivotal time for music. Punk was exploding, new wave was finding its feet, and synth-pop was starting to peek its head out. Yet 33 RPM doesn’t get mentioned alongside the big names from that era. Maybe it flew under the radar because it didn’t fit neatly into any one scene—or maybe people just weren’t ready for it yet. Anyway, here’s the kicker: listening to this now feels almost… prophetic? Like, hearing the seeds of stuff bands would do decades later. Or maybe I’m reading too much into it. Either way, if you stumble across 33 RPM, give it a spin. It’s messy, unapologetic, and totally worth your time. Plus, where else are you gonna find a song called “Zippers Of Fire”?

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: the-government-33-rpm.zip
  • MP3 size: 31.6 mb
  • FLAC size: 225.2 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Zippers Of Fire4:10
Flat Tire2:33
Get You Sleepin'4:19
Sponge2:30

Images

last ned album The Government - 33 RPM
télécharger l'album The Government - 33 RPM
ladda ner album The Government - 33 RPM
lataa albumi The Government - 33 RPM

Catalog Numbers

MW-1

Labels

The Modern World Incorporated

Listen online

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Formats

  • Vinyl
  • 7"
  • 33 ⅓ RPM
  • EP

Credits

RoleCredit
BassRobert Stewart
VocalsRobert Stewart
SynthesizerRobert Stewart
DrumsEdward Boyd
PercussionEdward Boyd
GuitarAndrew James Paterson
ProducerChris Holland , The Government
Recorded ByDouglas Clement
SleeveC. Holland
Photography ByC. Holland

Notes

Recorded at Comfort Sound.

About The Government

Slightly quirky new wave outfit leaning on the art punk side became legendary on the Toronto Queen Street club circuit playing such venues as The Crash And Burn, The Edge, Larry's Hideaway and The Beverley Tavern and art venues such as the Music Gallery. The "Electric Eye" album was one such performance recorded at the Music Gallery as the soundtrack to a full-length video production. The album is a testament to the live incorporated performance of the video's audio track. Drummer Billy Bryans replaced Ed Boyd and recorded "How Many Fingers?" with The Government before going on perform in Mama Quilla II, The Parachute Club and other Toronto acts. n

Members

  • Billy Bryans
  • Robert Stewart

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a fun fact: The Government's 1979 album *33 RPM* was a DIY masterpiece. Robert Stewart, the band’s bassist and vocalist, pulled triple duty by also handling synthesizer duties. With its mix of punk energy, synth-pop vibes, and new wave edge, the album stood out as a raw, experimental gem from Canada. The band even collaborated with producer Chris Holland, who not only helped shape the sound but also contributed to the album's striking sleeve design and photography. Tracks like "Zippers Of Fire" showcased their quirky, genre-blurring style. It’s wild to think this eclectic project came together with such a small, dedicated team.