You have to admit, there is something compelling about a politically aware rapper with a sense of humor. Boots Riley of The Coup provides plenty of both in the group’s latest work, Pick a Bigger Weapon. With DJ Pam the Funkstress behind the wheels, the group’s got a defining sound and with a little help from controversial topics the crew is ready to make listeners pay attention.

How can listeners even try to ignore The Coup? Their Party Music LP’s album cover surely did the trick, with a picture of them blowing up the World Trade Center. Yes, it was done before 9/11, but when the planes hit, the album gained a huge buzz. Beats with funkadelic tendencies pile on as DJ Pam gives bounce to Boots. Her range allows the listener to feel the strength of electric guitars as they coincide with the powerful messages. The album’s driven by the vibe of early 90’s West Coast beats, mixing a new G-Funk era with revolutionary rhymes. The wonderful, driving pianos on “My Favorite Mutiny” allow Talib Kweli, Black Thought and Boots to rhyme as hard as ever. Talib and BT aren’t the only guests on the album to take it up a notch. The LP features members of P-Funk, The Gap Band, Tony, Toni, Tone and Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave’s Tom Morrello.

Speaking of Rage, the album’s lyrical content is filled with intense, political messages, much like Zack De La Rocha’s were. What makes Boots different from other political rappers out there is his ability to fuse conscious rants with humorous lines and catchy hooks. Peep the corny yet thought provoking “Head (Of State)” which criticizes Bush and Sadaam Hussein as well as oil and war, all with a catchy jingle for a chorus. Or check out “I Love Boosters” which shows love to neighborhood boosters from all over with a funny tune. Want some satire? Listen to the R&B on “Baby Let’s Have a Baby Before Bush Do Somethin’ Crazy.”

Overall, the group puts out a valiant effort. Who knows if the revolution will ever come about, but at least Boots and the gang speak on what they feel is right and you kind of have to hand it to them for their honesty. Mix in some funk and humor and you’ve got a nicely packaged message in an album, but is it too much to take in? Some listeners may turn away due to so much political talk, but for those interested in the message, it will be a delight. Some unnecessary skits, a few corny hooks, and some repetitive beats and it kind of makes you wonder why the album wasn’t a bit shorter. Still, The Coup show that a new label (Epitaph), and a new year won’t change them.