You Can't Stop the Bum Rush
It took hip-hop a couple of decades to become ingrained in pop music, but the genre's influence shows on Len'sYou 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 theAndrea True Connection, theBar Kays,Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel, and the big mack daddy himself,John Travolta), and guests likeBiz Markie,Kurtis Blow, and Mr. Dibbs. But there's something very pop at the core of Len, and it's what makesBum Rushso 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, andSugar Ray-ish party vocals,Bum Rushis 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