You Can't Stop the Bum Rush

Before the release of You Can't Stop the Bum Rush, Len had established a fan base in Canada by independently releasing one extended play (EP) and two albums on its own record label.^[1] During this period, the duo became tired of producing rock music and considered disbanding.^[2] Marc explained: "I was writing, then I thought, 'This is bullshit; I can't write this shit'. I hated playing guitar".^[2] The duo, however, became inspired again after experimenting with hip-hop, opting to move in this direction after receiving positive reception from music industry officials.^[2] The group later signed with Work Group, a major record label. At the time, Len's lineup included siblings Marc Costanzo and Sharon Costanzo alongside additional members Derek "D. Rock" MacKenzie, Brian "DJ Moves" Higgins, Philip "Planet Pea" Rae, and Drunkness Monster.^[1]

The standard edition of You Can't Stop the Bum Rush includes 12 tracks;^[3] the Japanese edition includes one additional track.^[4] Len intended to create a sonically diverse album, with Marc Costanzo commenting: "We didn't want people to be mad at us when they bought the album and expected 13 'Sunshines'. There's something [on the album] for the ravers, the Adidas-wearing old-school hip-hop heads, and 14-year-old girls".^[5] The album includes a variety of styles, including rap, rock, and pop.^[1] It makes heavy use of samples, with band member D Rock commenting that "[we] don't take ourselves too seriously".^[5] Guest appearances include Biz Markie, Kurtis Blow, and C.C. DeVille of Poison.^[1]

The title, You Can't Stop the Bum Rush, refers to the breaking down of barricades, with D Rock commenting that the idea behind it is that "[Len is] coming, you can't stop us". However, the group maintains that the title was created as a joke, with D Rock further adding: "[Len is] the first Canadian band with no talent whatsoever to actually make it to Letterman".^[6]

Len was responsible for the album's art direction, while Drazen helmed the cartoon artwork.^[3] The cover features cartoon versions of the Len group members, in addition to alternative hip-hop musician Buck 65, lined up on a city sidewalk.^[7] The idea for the cover stemmed from a conversation between Marc and Sharon, in which Marc discussed "how funny it would be if we [became] cartoon characters". Outside of the cover, Drazen drew a city—referred to by Marc as "Len land"—containing other eccentric characters, which is placed throughout the CD booklet. The cover was originally a photograph that Marc took of himself and Sharon, although it was scrapped as Marc believed it would fail to grab consumer attention. The Work Group was strongly against the decision to release the album using Drazen's cartoon artwork.^[8]

To promote You Can't Stop the Bum Rush, Len headlined the Canadian Edgefest tour in 1999, replacing Eve 6 after they dropped out due to illness.^[9] The tour lasted two weeks, from July 1 to 14.^[9] In the United States, Len embarked on a tour consisting of 22 shows in the fall of 1999.^[10] The tour commenced on October 7 in Chicago, Illinois, and concluded on November 6 in Dallas, Texas, with most appearances at clubs and music festivals.^[10] It was initially scheduled to begin on July 27 in Washington, D.C., although the Len group members had difficulty securing the proper visa paperwork in time for the date.^[1][11] To further promote the album, Len made a variety of radio and television appearances, including an August 6 appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman.^[1]

More information Review scores, Source ...

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[12]
Q	[13]
Robert Christgau	[14]
Rolling Stone	[15]

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You Can't Stop the Bum Rush received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised the album's genre-hopping and light-hearted delivery. John Bush of AllMusic found the rapping offbeat and the album a lesser version of the Beastie Boys's 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".^[12] Tony Scherman of The New York Times credited the album for offering more than just "Steal My Sunshine" by dabbling in different genres, highlighting the four hip-hop songs for their 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".^[16]

Robert Christgau cited "Beautiful Day" and "Cheekybugger" as highlights of the album.^[14] Karen Schoemer of Rolling Stone praised Marc Costanzo for his versatile production and for offering 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".^[15] Commercially, You Can't Stop the Bum Rush peaked at number 46 on the US Billboard 200^[17] and at number 32 on the Canadian Top Albums/CDs chart,^[18] and ranked at number 185 on the former's year-end chart.^[19] It was certified gold in Canada^[20] and the United States.^[21]

All tracks are produced by Mumble C, except where noted.

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.^[3]