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The Coup

Pick a Bigger Weapon
2006
Epitaph

The Coup - Pick a Bigger Weapon (Cover Artwork)


Review by: Anchors
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Epitaph Records (Logo)

Published on August 29th 2006

Let’s get a few things out of the way right from the get-go.

(1) “Uh, PUNKnews.org, duh!!!!!!!!!!!!”

This is not a punk album, this is not anything close to a punk album, this is a rap and funk album.

Mind blown yet? For those of you who don’t reside in the closed-minded contingent I was poking fun at, there’s a lot on the Coup’s Pick a Bigger Weapon to like. Guided by MC Boots Riley, this assembly of musicians includes Tom Morello, Dwayne Wiggins, and members of seminal funk band Parliament. There’s also some great guest spots from such talented MCs as Black Thought of the Roots, and the ever-talented Talib Kweli, both of whom collaborate on “My Favorite Mutiny.” Both men show both a great ability to flow, and a social conscience as well, demonstrated by the intelligent and articulate way they deliver their words. With such sharp lines as "Send 'em out into the world, go to war in a fluke, Eye to eye with the enemy you sworn to shoot" coming from Black Thought and "But beats got it twisted, I'll untangle it, black mind is entwined like the ropes they used to hang us with" coming from Kweli, it’s more than apparent that all rappers involved in this project can hold their weight with intelligent delivery.

Not everything has to be steeped in social conscience, though; the Coup are just as well versed in smooth beats and funk as anything. Ultimately, politics aside, this could double as a terrific party album. The slow, funky groove of “Ijuswannalayaroundalldayinbedwithyou” offers a stark, but welcome contrast from some of the more upbeat and vocal driven material. Boots is a versatile rapper, as the transition to a much slower groove is a seamless one, and just as easily, the Coup transitions once again to a much thicker beat and quicker delivery in the very next song.

Possibly most endearing about the album is the variety. While a variety of political topics are addressed on the album, there’s a lot of light-hearted raps, like “Ass Breath Killer.” Dumb as the name does sound, the song, with its thick crackly beat, offers its fair share of memorable moments, as does “Tiffany Hall,” a song centered on a slow, slinky beat that stays firmly in the background, even including some soulful guitar riffs at the end, amongst a repeated chorus of “Hey Tiffany, we love you!.”

Anybody willing to open up past the roster of Fat Wreck will probably enjoy this quite a good deal. It’s varied yet strong in all of its individual parts and nuances. Emcee Boots Riley offers depth on top of his skill, and the group of musicians behind him leaves nothing to be desired either.



People who liked this also liked:
The Weakerthans - Left and LeavingPansy Division - The Essential Pansy Division [CD/DVD]Dead to Me - Cuban BallerinaThe Queers - Love Songs for the Retarded [reissue]Nausea - The Punk Terrorist Anthology, Vol. 2: 1986-1988 [reissue]The Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!The Weakerthans - Reconstruction SiteCoquettish - High Energy PoliticsLatterman - ...We Are Still AliveSundowner - Four One Five Two



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    Posted by TommyPickles on 2008-03-26 22:45:25

    Fuck this piece of shit cock sucking motherfucking band.

    Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2006-09-03 17:26:38

    "and cunninlynguists, whoops"

    That cunninlynguists record is some good hip-hop!

    Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2006-09-03 17:23:13

    "For a less diverse version (but equally funky) check out the new Public Enemy/Paris collaborative cd on Guerilla Funk..."

    That album was okay, but it was marketed as a Public Enemy album, when I bought it, I expected the classic PE sound, when i popped it in, I heard a Paris album with Public Enemy on it! Don't get me wrong, I love Paris, but not when I'm really looking forward to new PE! I thought that T-Kash's 'Turf War Syndrome' was alot better than 'Rebirth Of A Nation".

    Posted by rkl on 2006-09-02 12:51:57

    Posted by WilliamMarinovic on 2006-08-29 17:46:15

    What do the beats sound like? That's the big thing for me about hip hop. If it's old school style, I'm all for it... What ever happened to bigtime hip hop producers using drum sounds? It seems like forever since I heard a hip hop song on the radio that utilized anything more than super low bass notes, hand claps and high hat as the basis for the riddim.


    well, whats popular in the rap world seems to go in cycle... the old school style youre referring to is the new york style, and to a lesser extent the west coast style, popularized by dr dre, although dre focused more on funk samples, whereas nyc style was disco, and later jazz.

    unfortunately, whats popular now is shitty dirty south rap(yes, there were good groups at one time). after no limit dropped, it all went to shit. thank master p for the $30 casio beats & hand-claps(which are a "note" on that $30 casio)

    Posted by lushj on 2006-08-31 20:48:28

    Maronovic or whomever wanted more old school beats- DEFINITELY check out both Paris newest and Public Enemy/Paris new one. The Paris "Sonic Jihad" is especially awesome!

    Posted by lushj on 2006-08-31 16:15:26
    My Score:

    "Steal This Album" is still their best, closely followed by "Party Music." I'm not into the slow jam tunes here, but besides those this is funky, focused, and fantastic.

    For a less diverse version (but equally funky) check out the new Public Enemy/Paris collaborative cd on Guerilla Funk...

    Posted by Anchors on 2006-08-31 15:27:31

    "Clipse Of Doom" is awesome, but "Three Bricks" is easily, easily the best thing on there.

    Posted by Enemy_Will on 2006-08-31 12:33:44

    To DanPerrone, I thought the new Mr. Lif was a letdown. It was way too top heavy and overall it wasn't worth the wait.

    Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2006-08-31 12:26:20

    Sure, the $30 Casio beats are really bad, but that doesnt mean anything with a full band is great.

    I don't like much hiphop, but there's some obscure late 80's/early 90's tapes that came out during the mpc-boom that sounds better than anything commercially released since.

    Posted by danperrone on 2006-08-31 11:11:32

    and cunninlynguists, whoops

    Posted by danperrone on 2006-08-31 11:10:44

    best hiphop of the year:

    ghostface
    mr. lif
    murs
    lightheaded
    j dilla (both albums)
    bronze nazareth
    the roots
    oh no
    aceyalone

    great year for hiphop, i would rate all of those albums 7/10 or higher

    Posted by jumptheshark on 2006-08-30 20:44:07
    My Score:

    I love this album. "Tiffany Hall" is probably my favorite track, up until that awful chant the reviewer mentioned. It's just annoying as hell and doesn't fit the song. That said, it's a great, intelligent album.

    Posted by Enemy_Will on 2006-08-30 18:00:41
    My Score:

    Pam the Funktress's beats are fucking awesome, but I heard from my roommate who went to the show last time they came around that she wasn't there. This album isn't quite as good as "Steal This Double Album" but still rocking nonetheless. More hip-hop reviews!

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at 2:11 PM (EDT)

    the biggie track on ghostface's album is definitely not the best thing on there. underwater, clipse of doom and the champ are all better. underwater probably has some of the best lyrics of any rap song i've ever heard.

    Posted by john_stone on 2006-08-30 12:50:09

    What is this, funknews.org?

    Posted by hitlerbadzakgood on 2006-08-30 01:17:38
    My Score:

    i'm kind of indifferent about this album. this hasnt been a great year for indie rap.

    Posted by SlowStupidHungry on 2006-08-30 01:07:01

    I don't think 50 would cover the surgery, notfeeling.

    Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2006-08-29 23:39:13

    "more like pick a nigger weapon ha!"

    I'll send you fifty dollars if you go to a coup showwith a camera, walk up to boots, say that to his face and post his reaction on you tube!

    Posted by Anchors on 2006-08-29 22:49:27

    2pac, have you heard the new Ghostface? That's my favorite rap album of the year so far. The bonus track with Biggie & Raekwon, "Three Bricks" is fucking phenomenal.

    There's been some good mixtapes out this year, too. Ghostface & Raekwon split, Clipse had a great one.

    Also check out Murs and Blue Scholars if you're looking for some great up-and-coming underground MC's. Both put out new albums this year, and both are real, real solid.

    The only thing I've been too disappointed by as far as rap this year is the new Cam'ron record. It's got some real solid beats, and some great production, but his flow and delivery really seems off, and it's hard to listen to all the way through.

    Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2006-08-29 19:37:42
    My Score:

    I love this album, I got to see them open for les Claypool, last month and they were great live, as well, I bounce back and forth between this and 'party music'!!!

    Posted by Icapped2pac on 2006-08-29 19:32:16

    Will, I can't believe it but I actually agree on something with you. I love the mid-90s boom-bap sound and can't stand the new 1000 hi-hats per minute/$30 casio keyboard garbage sound.

    In that regard, while I have immense respect for The Coup (going back to the only song of theirs I ever liked, "Fat Cats, Bigga Fish"), I really haven't bothered to check out anything they've done in 10 years or so because nothing else of theirs ever caught my attention. I may just have to check out this one and "Steal..." though.

    Overall, hip-hop has been pretty disappointing in the last 6 months when I take stock of my music collection, especially the new J-5. The only albums I've listened to consistently lately are the newest Supastition, K-Hill, and Project Move. Undoubtedly, though, for me the best hip-hop album of the past year is Asamov's "And Now" (unfortunately the estate of Isaac Asimov recently made them change their name to The AB's...sigh). Please make it a point to check that out if you can. In the meantime, I'll be waiting for the proper album release from Kenn Starr, which I think will be superb. And for what it's worth, now that I think about it, the newest Masta Killa and Ghostface albums were pretty good, too.

    I guess it's a reflection of how many great punk(ish) albums have been coming out lately (The Coma Recovery, Constants, Polar Bear Club, The Draft, Guiltmaker, Set Your Goals, and, to a slightly lesser degree, Park) that I haven't been listenening to much hip-hop.

    Posted by SlowStupidHungry on 2006-08-29 19:31:00

    "So, the only way anyone would not like this is if they are close-minded? Because the only way people don't enjoy rap is if they're not open to it, right?"

    Yeah, I've always felt this way about most hip hop. Ever since some dick failed at saling me on Eminem and called me "closeminded" as if that dumb asshole's lyrics about murdering his baby mama or whatever mean anything.

    Posted by cantsitstill on 2006-08-29 17:53:37

    Punk kids don't need to listen to rap.
    They got the Transplants for that.

    Posted by SlowStupidHungry on 2006-08-29 17:46:15

    What do the beats sound like? That's the big thing for me about hip hop. If it's old school style, I'm all for it... What ever happened to bigtime hip hop producers using drum sounds? It seems like forever since I heard a hip hop song on the radio that utilized anything more than super low bass notes, hand claps and high hat as the basis for the riddim.

    Posted by andwolves on 2006-08-29 15:48:20

    more like pick a nigger weapon ha!

    Posted by andwolves on 2006-08-29 15:48:18

    more like pick a nigger weapon ha!

    Posted by Uppie on 2006-08-29 15:11:18
    My Score:

    My Favorite Mutiny is my favorite song of the year so far. I liked the CD, but I find myself skipping over a lot more songs then I expected.

    Posted by jacknife737 on 2006-08-29 14:56:17

    laugh/love/fuck

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 2:02 PM (EDT)

    I'd say a 7 is pretty decent grading of this album. Some really great tracks and a few duds. But overall it's still a pretty good buy.

    Posted by EyesLikeBombs on 2006-08-29 13:57:22

    Didn't this album come out several months ago?

    Posted by Scruffy on 2006-08-29 13:49:05

    "Anybody willing to open up past the roster of Fat Wreck will probably enjoy this quite a good deal."

    So, the only way anyone would not like this is if they are close-minded? Because the only way people don't enjoy rap is if they're not open to it, right?

    Posted by Mute98 on 2006-08-29 13:15:42
    My Score:

    honestly, party music was so much better

    there are better hip hop groups out there like the lost children of babylon, blackalicious and immortal technique

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 12:34 PM (EDT)

    yo, party music was dogshit. Genocide and juice and steal were great, but (again) PM was fucking terrible. Hope this is better.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 12:32 PM (EDT)

    niggaz, thugs, dope dealers and pimps, basket ball players, rap stars and simps
    thats what little black boys are made of

    Posted by pwfanatic on 2006-08-29 10:18:45
    My Score:

    "When I'm runnin from the police I don't have to rush
    I'm so dope I just jump in the toilet and flush"

    fuck yeah. this album is pretty damn good.

    Posted by dietcokeofpunk on 2006-08-29 09:49:53

    hilarious

    Posted by american_666_jesus on 2006-08-29 09:31:00
    My Score:

    I enjoyed the political songs most on this record. The only thing that i didnt care for on this was the lack of variety in the beats. Same for chorus and verse in just about every song. Its like the casualties of hip-hop, only with intelligent lyrics.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 9:05 AM (EDT)

    shut up

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 8:48 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    it may not be punk, but it's better than any other "punk" album that has been released in a long time.

    Posted by kirbypuckett on 2006-08-29 08:36:11
    My Score:

    I was going to review this today, odd.

    Great, great, great record.

    I wish it wasn't on Epitaph so more people would actually care. The first four cuts are probably the strongest openers to a hip-hop album in a loooong time.

    ...and yes I'm a sucker for Talib Kweli.

    I'm going to review more hip-hop to piss people off after catching shit for the Beastie Boys review.

    - Kirby

    Posted by dietcokeofpunk on 2006-08-29 08:23:12

    “Uh, PUNKnews.org, duh!!!!”

    Seriously, my roomate got their last album, it's pretty good stuff. Not my favorite but not bad.

    Posted by danperrone on 2006-08-29 07:47:36

    i did not really like this album

    there have been a multitude of better hiphop releases in 2006

    Posted by pasha on 2006-08-29 04:38:55
    My Score:

    great album. Party music was good too.

    Posted by ChokingVictim on 2006-08-29 01:45:23

    I just got this CD today, haven't listened to it yet though. Sounds like it will be good though.

    Posted by ilikepunkrock on 2006-08-29 01:10:32
    My Score:

    Death to the pigs is my basic statement
    I spit street stories 'til I taste the pavement
    Tryin' to stay out the pen while we face enslavement
    Had a fool proof hustle 'til they traced the payments.

    My Favorite Mutiny

    Posted by welcome_to_this_neotokyo on 2006-08-29 01:08:33
    My Score:

    Oh it is good, but ive failed to come across a political hip hop album that rips like the coup's "steal this album". Classic.

    Then again, i havent been particularly looking, either.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 12:54 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    7? You are crazy, this is one of the best albums of the year.

    Posted by Dante3000 on 2006-08-29 00:54:20

    Good album, I was listening to it today actually. It's just no Part Music.
    The worst part of the album is the cringe worthy "Bush and Huiesan Together in Bed" sing along. As a whole it kicks ass and has at least 8 killer songs.
    -Dante
    P.S. You have ass breath!

    Posted by FuckYouOiOiOi on 2006-08-29 00:48:11

    "lyrically, they're one of the greatest rap groups. i just hate those beats that they have, its too involved. i like my rap beats like i like my bitches: soft and simple."
    -FuckYouOiOiOi 1/26/06