The Coup

Pick A Bigger Weapon

[4/5] As soapboxing left-wing rappers go, few are as engaging as the Coup’s Ray “Boots” Riley. On his first album since 2001’s infamous Party Music–you know, the one with the ill-timed, exploding World Trade Center cover–the Bay Area MC showcases all his best attributes. His low-riding G-Funk has morphed into a faster, catchier brand of soul that’s often a dead ringer for early Prince, with help from a top-shelf band that includes Audioslave’s Tom Morello and Tony! Toni! Toné! guitarist D’Wayne Wiggins. And Riley remains one of the few activist rhymers who scratches beneath the sloganeering: Fifteen years of fighting the power haven’t eroded his sense of humor (“Ass-Breath Killers”) or romance (“I Just Wanna Lay Around All Day In Bed With You,” a glorious slow jam for everyone who’s ever called in sick to get busy instead). But, impressive as it all is, the little details should keep you from chugging Riley’s Kool-Aid. His casual references to the murderous Chairman Mao as a hero, as well as his tired defense of theft and crack sales, show that even wielding this bigger, better and sometimes brilliant weapon, he’s still capable of shooting himself in the foot.
(EPITAPH) Dan LeRoy



ROCKS LIKE: Paris’ Sleeping With The Enemy • Gil Scott-Heron’s Reflections • Dead Prez’s Let’s Get Free