The Coup: Pick A Bigger Weapon: Review

The Coup
Pick A Bigger Weapon
[epitaph - April 2006]
*Sixeyes Score: 7 out of 10

Review by Thomas David

West Coast revolutionary funk-hoppers The Coup released a new album, Pick A Bigger Weapon, on April 25, 2006 through like-minded Epitaph Records and I can't get it out of my CD Player (that's right...CD Player…I'm still into albums not MP3s). Boots Riley makes the beats and raps while Pam The Funkstress occasionally hits the ones and twos. Boots' goal is to make you dance and have a good time while trying to persuade you that it's time for a lot of change. "Laugh/Love/Fuck" is a fun funky jam proclaiming Boots' interest to "laugh/love/fuck and drink liquor/and help the damn revolution come quicker". "I Just Wanna Lay Around All Day In Bed With You," Mindfuck" and "BabyletshaveababybeforeBushdosomethingcrazy" are just a few of the love songs turned anthems of revolution and rebellion. Someone has to pick up the torch for Marvin Gaye! Root's mouthpiece Black Thought and Talib Kweli kill the mic with Boots on the incendiary single, "My Favorite Mutiny", that is getting nowhere near the airplay it deserves. Concept songs like "Ass-breath Killers" and "I Love Boosters" are informational tracks over decent beats…but ultimately not something I want to listen to repeatedly. I find the majority of this album interesting enough for repeated listens though like most hip hop albums it is a bit too long and, pardon me but, skits suck.

+ we are the ones
+ my favorite mutiny
[mp3s courtesy of epitaph records]