The Coup - Pick A Bigger Weapon (2006)

In 2006, with the country mired in a Middle Eastern war and facing the oversights of the Bush administration, The Coup made the happiest-sounding record of their career. Despite its militant title, Pick a Bigger Weapon is danceable, lovable, and frequently hilarious. At the same time, the lyrics sting. Upbeat tunes like “Laugh/Love/F**k” and “ShoYoAss” rail against political complacency and ignorance. That the album is subversive is part of what makes it so fun, though it also boasts a few conspicuous fight songs, including “My Favorite Mutiny,” which feels like the ignition point for a unstoppable rally.