The latest releases reviewed
THE COUP Pick a Bigger Weapon Epitaph **
Most people didn't get past the cover the last time The Coup had a record out. That was 2001's Party Music, with artwork depicting the Coup crew blowing up the World Trade Centre. Although it had been completed months before 9/11, the cover was enough to sink the album. Boots Riley and friends retain a militant edge, knocking out a few conspiracy theories (Head of State) as they go. What's also changed is that The Coup have bumped straightedge hip-hop from pole position in their musical palette in favour of synthy funk textures. While occasionally this works very well (ShoYoAss is impressive, as is the heavy riffing on We Are the Ones), there are many times when The Coup just don't have the chops for what they are attempting, despite the presence of such heavyweight hitters as Black Thought, Talib Kweli, Jello Biafra and Tom Morello. www.myspace.com/thecoupmusic
Jim Carroll
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