You Can't Stop the Bum Rush

You Can't Stop the Bum Rush
Studio album by Len
Released May 25, 1999 (1999-05-25)
Recorded 1998–1999
Genre Alternative rock, indie pop, rap rock, hip hop
Label Work
Len chronology
Get Your Legs Broke
(1996)
You Can't Stop the Bum Rush
(1999)
The Diary of the Madmen
(2005)

You Can't Stop the Bum Rush is the third studio album and major label debut of Canadian Pop group Len, released on May 25, 1999 by Work Records. The album consists of a number of songs of different genres.

The album featured the top ten hit "Steal My Sunshine", which was previously featured on the soundtrack to the 1999 comedy thriller Go. It also managed to peak at No. 46 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and go Gold in the U.S. The album had a mostly positive response from critics as well. Unfortunately, the smashup that followed killed the combo's momentum and "Sunshine" became remembered through '90s compilation albums. One track on the album, "The Hard Disk Approach" features lyrics entirely in German and uses a motorik beat to emulate the style of krautrock bands.

The album also featured Buck 65 on the cover of the album, although he reportedly declined an offer to join the band. Despite this, he provides record scratches on the track "Cold Chillin'".

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The New York Times(positive)[2]
Q[3]
Robert Christgau[4]
Rolling Stone[5]

You Can't Stop the Bum Rush received a mildy positive reception from music critics who praised the genre-hopping in the tracks and the light-hearted delivery used for them. John Bush of AllMusic found the rapping offbeat and the album a lesser version of the Beastie Boys' Hello Nasty but said that the production was "excellent" and the tracks "enjoyable", concluding that "the album's few derivative qualities never really get in the way of an enjoyable listen."[1] Tony Scherman of The New York Times credited the album for offering more than just "Steal My Sunshine" by dabbling into different genres, highlighting the four hip-hop songs for being injected with a sunny demeanor, concluding that: "Any unheralded group that cuts an album with at least a half-dozen memorable songs, and two addictive ones, deserves special attention."[2] Karen Schoemer of Rolling Stone praised Marc Costanzo for his versatile production on the album and for being an alternative to Fred Durst by being goofy and less serious, concluding that: "Twelve years ago, these guys might have been Camper Van Beethoven, taking the piss out of college rock. Today, another genre needs them more."[5]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Steal My Sunshine"  Marc Costanzo, Gregg DiamondMumble C4:25
2."Cryptik Souls Crew"  M. Costanzo, P. Rae, Tony CamilloMumble C4:24
3."Man of the Year"  M. Costanzo, Derek Mackenzie, Brian HigginsMumble C5:07
4."Beautiful Day" (featuring Biz Markie)M. Costanzo, B. Higgins, D. Mackenzie, Felix Cavaliere, Eddie BrigatiFisher and Big King2:46
5."The Hard Disk Approach"  M. Costanzo, Felix Wittholz, Brendan CanningMumble C3:04
6."Hot Rod Monster Jam"  M. Costanzo, Luigi Creatore, George David Weiss, Hugo Peretti, Berry Gordy, William Robinson, Sylvia Robinson, Melvin GloverMumble C4:06
7."Cold Chillin'" (featuring Kurtis Blow)M. Costanzo, D. Mackenzie, K. WalkerMumble C3:26
8."Feelin' Alright"  M. Costanzo, D. Mackenzie, Sharon Costanzo, Michael Bruce, Spencer Lynn KirkpatrickMumble C3:59
9."Cheeky Bugger"  M. CostanzoMumble C1:44
10."Big Meanie"  M. Costanzo, Grover Washington Jr.Mumble C4:07
11."June Bug"  M. CostanzoMumble C3:59
12."Crazy 'Cause I Believe (Early Morning Sunshine)"  M. Costanzo, D. Wilson, F. WernerMumble C3:00

Japanese version

13. "Drunc'n Moves" (Bonus Track)

Notes
Sample credits

Singles

Personnel

Adapted from the You Can't Stop the Bum Rush inlay notes.[6]

Cryptik Souls Crew
  • Obe One
  • Vandal
  • Abs
  • Asicks
  • KNG
Artwork
  • Len - art direction
  • Helios - design and layout
  • Drazen - cartoon art
  • Stephen Chung - photo art
Management
  • Jonathan Simkin (Simkin & Co.) - lawyer
  • Graeme Lowe and Jon Leshay (Storefront Entertainment, LLC.) - management
  • Phil Cassens - A&R
  • Barbara Bausman - product manager
  • Julie Chamberlain - production coordinator

Musicians
  • Matt Kelly - guitar (on tracks 1 and 10)
  • Felix Wittholz - vocals (on track 5)
  • Brendan Canning - keyboard (on track 5)
  • C.C. DeVille - guitar (on track 8)
  • Larry Ciancia - drums (on track 8)
  • Mike Catano - drums (on track 9)
  • Suzie Katayama - string arrangement and cello (on tracks 10 and 11)
  • David Stenske - viola (on tracks 10 and 11)
  • Michael McCarty - drum sounds
Additional musicians
  • Tom Biederman - trumpet (on tracks 11 and 12)
  • David Biederman - sax (on tracks 11 and 12)
  • Andrew Thompson - guitar (on tracks 11 and 12)
  • Dave Leitad - Rhodes keyboard (on tracks 11 and 12)
  • Eve Butler - violin (on track 11)
  • Kori Ayukawa - bass (on track 12)
  • Wilson Laurencin - drums (on track 12)

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (1999) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[7] 46

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Canada (Music Canada)[8] Gold 50,000^
United States (RIAA)[9] Gold 500,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

  1. 1 2 Bush, John. "You Can't Stop the Bum Rush - Len". AllMusic. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
  2. 1 2 Scherman, Tony (August 8, 1999). "RECORDINGS; High-Quality Bubble Gum". The New York Times. Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  3. "LEN - You Can't Stop The Bum Rush CD Album". CD Universe. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  4. Christgau, Robert. "CG: Len". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  5. 1 2 Schoemer, Karen (September 2, 1999). "Recordings: Len, You Can't Stop the Bum Rush, 3 Stars". Rolling Stone: 110. Archived from the original on November 12, 2003. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  6. You Can't Stop the Bum Rush (inlay cover). Len. Work. 1999.
  7. "Len – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Len. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  8. "Canadian album certifications – Len – You Can't Stop the Bum Rush". Music Canada. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  9. "American album certifications – Len – You Can't Stop the Bum Rush". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 29, 2015. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
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