SOUNDTRACK: THE COUP-Sorry to Bother You (2014).
On the inside cover of this book it says that you can download The Coup’s new record online. Evidently that was a limited time only because the link no longer works. Every time I tried recently, the download failed. I was therefore unable to follow the request:
Let it be known that the editors will look favorable upon those who listen to the soundtrack and read the script at the same time.
Which I would like to have done, since I like The Coup and have Party Music.
You can listen to some of their songs (which are quite dancey even when they are subversive) on their website. (and streaming as well).
I have been listening to the disc online while writing this post and I like the way The Coup makes their songs catchy and the way Riley’s rapping is fast but clear. “Violet” which is rapped over a lovely violin and strings piece.
My one gripe about the album is a consistent gripe with a lot of rap albums–there’s too many guests. I don’t listen to The Coup to hear other singers, I listen for Riley and his band. If I can get the download to work I’ll review the album properly in the future.
[READ: August 15, 2015] Sorry to Bother You
Sorry to Bother You came with McSweeney’s Issue #48. I have just gotten around to reading it and I’m bummed that I waited because this screenplay is fantastic.
Boots Riley is the creator of The Coup and an activist in general (I love the quote that “a Fox contributor (whose name I simply don’t want to appear on my blog) called his work ‘a stomach-turning example of anti-Americanism disguised as high-brow intellectualism.’ Boots was surprised and elated by the compliment”).
The opening of the screenplay is a note from Boots himself in which he explains that “every scene, every character, every word–is true.” And that McSweeney’s has forced him to change the names of those mentioned.
And then the screenplay begins. Cassius Green (known as Cash) lives in a garage bedroom (in which the garage door opens some time unintentionally). He has just scored a job at a telemarketing office (his faked resume was hilarious). His girlfriend, Detroit, is an artist. She wants what’s best for him, but also doesn’t want him to suck up to the man. But at the same time, they do need some money.
In their neighborhood there are billboards everywhere for WorryFree. There’s also a TV ad that plays during the movie in which we learn that WorryFree “guarantees you employment and housing for life” (the TV shows six bunk beds, like a prison done up by a hip interior decorator). The concept of WorryFree permeates the movie. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 