You Can't Stop the Bum Rush

LEN

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 25, 1999)
• Original Release Date: May 25, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000J2PG
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (124 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,753 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
It took hip-hop a couple of decades to become ingrained in pop music, but the genre's influence shows on Len's You Can't Stop the Bum Rush. The members of Len might not agree--after all, they probably consider themselves a hip-hop act, and they've got a case, what with their lineup (which incorporates a DJ and a couple of MCs), their use of loops and samples (from the Andrea True Connection, the Bar Kays, Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel, and the big mack daddy himself, John Travolta), and guests like Biz Markie, Kurtis Blow, and Mr. Dibbs. But there's something very pop at the core of Len, and it's what makes Bum Rush so special--as hip-hop becomes harder and more experimental, Len rediscover a very vital part of the history. Filled with keyboards, dance rhythms, harmonies, stoner humor, and Sugar Ray-ish party vocals, Bum Rush is pure pop for the hip-hop generation. The album keeps things light but never skimps in delivering single after single; they may all prove disposable, but why worry about that now? --Randy Silver

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some are great. Others, well....., December 8, 1999

By A Customer

The CD has some very catchy songs and a variety of beats. Sometimes I'm wondering if I'm listening to the same group all together. I like listening to 1 and 3 the most, but a couple of the others are pretty good. If you don't care for rap then you'll be skipping some songs. There is a mix of dance, hip-hop, and eighties sounds that should prove to keep you listening, but I could do without some repeated four letter words. This was a disappointment, because the music was great, but the lyrics belonged to wu-tang. Sorry, but minimal CD life without getting shelved for mixing later with other songs from other short lived bands.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic return to old school with a twist, May 23, 2000

By	"jamminbread" (tn) - See all my reviews

It seems the teenie boppers who were expecting to hear more of the same from "steal my sunshine" (which is a super tune in its own right) were a bit disappointed with the rest of the cuts. I grew up listening to Kurtis Blow, Planet Patrol, Grandmaster Flash, Whodini, and Newcleus, to name a few.......and Len as a crew has captured the intensity of old school style and added a next generation edge. If you are a fan of old school, you will be jamming this cd in your car with the windows rolled down, smirking at all of the teenies giving you funny looks.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Archies of hip-hop, February 18, 2000

By	Marc Kloszewski (Indiana, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm not sure how serious Len takes themselves as dyed-in-the-wool hip-hopsters, but this is pretty lightweight stuff, even for the genre. It's bubblegum for the 90s, and this disc is certainly no milestone. The disc SOUNDS great, though. Obviously, "Steal My Sunshine" was novel enough to become a hit with that sleazy sample from "More More More", and there are radio-friendly hits in "Beautiful Day" and "Feelin' Alright", which I randomly cued up at the store & which convinced me that I wanted this. The other stuff has energy to spare but less originality--the tired rah-rah of "Cryptik Souls Crew" and the instrumentals are forgettable...I must say, I do like Sharon's voice, though--your friendly female robot at your service. There's even a gospel song at the end, God help us. I suppose we're intended to take all of this with a couple of grains of salt--God, I hope so. "Burger Pimp," indeed. I play this every now and then; it's disposable fluff, and I know there are those who can dig that.