You Can't Stop the Bum Rush

You Can't Stop the Bum Rush
Studio album by Len
Released	May 25, 1999
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
Source	Rating
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.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Steal My Sunshine"	Marc Costanzo, Gregg Diamond	Mumble C	4:25
2.	"Cryptik Souls Crew"	M. Costanzo, P. Rae, Tony Camillo	Mumble C	4:24
3.	"Man of the Year"	M. Costanzo, Derek Mackenzie, Brian Higgins	Mumble C	5:07
4.	"Beautiful Day" (featuring Biz Markie)	M. Costanzo, B. Higgins, D. Mackenzie, Felix Cavaliere, Eddie Brigati	Fisher and Big King	2:46
5.	"The Hard Disk Approach"	M. Costanzo, Felix Wittholz, Brendan Canning	Mumble C	3:04
6.	"Hot Rod Monster Jam"	M. Costanzo, Luigi Creatore, George David Weiss, Hugo Peretti, Berry Gordy, William Robinson, Sylvia Robinson, Melvin Glover	Mumble C	4:06
7.	"Cold Chillin'" (featuring Kurtis Blow)	M. Costanzo, D. Mackenzie, K. Walker	Mumble C	3:26
8.	"Feelin' Alright"	M. Costanzo, D. Mackenzie, Sharon Costanzo, Michael Bruce, Spencer Lynn Kirkpatrick	Mumble C	3:59
9.	"Cheeky Bugger"	M. Costanzo	Mumble C	1:44
10.	"Big Meanie"	M. Costanzo, Grover Washington Jr.	Mumble C	4:07
11.	"June Bug"	M. Costanzo	Mumble C	3:59
12.	"Crazy 'Cause I Believe (Early Morning Sunshine)"	M. Costanzo, D. Wilson, F. Werner	Mumble C	3:00

Japanese version

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

Notes

• "Cryptik Souls Crew" and "Hot Rod Monster Jam" features cuts by Buck 65 and Mr. Dibbs.
• "Cold Chillin'" features cuts by Mr. Dibbs and DJ Moves.

Sample credits

• "Steal My Sunshine", samples "More, More, More" performed by Andrea True Connection
• "Cryptik Souls Crew", samples "Dynomite" performed by Bazuka and "Let's Have Some Fun" performed by The Bar-Kays.
• "Beautiful Day", samples "A Girl Like You" performed by John Travolta.
• "Hot Rod Monster Jam", samples "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" performed by The Tokens, "White Lines (Don't Do It)" performed by Melle Mel, "Shop Around" by The Miracles and "Do Your Duty" by Beat Master Clay.
• "Cold Chillin'", samples "Pimpin' Ain't Easy" by Big Daddy Kane and "You Gots to Chill" by EPMD.
• "Feelin' Alright", samples "Let Me Down Easy" by Hydra.
• "Big Meanie", samples "Hydra" by Grover Washington, Jr..

Singles

• "Steal My Sunshine"
• "Feelin' Alright"
• "Cryptik Souls Crew"

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. Bush, John. "You Can't Stop the Bum Rush - Len". AllMusic. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
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. 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

External links

• You Can't Stop the Bum Rush at Discogs