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Big Beef Music Review By Tim When you read the title you have to use an accent that is used by the robots in Battlestar Gallactica. Here is my review: You Can't Stop the Bum Rush By Len     Len is a Toronto based band made up of three male and one female artists. This is their third album, but probably the first time that they have been heard in America. I am not sure the type of music the band is known for but this album has a mix of rock/pop/rap/German/techno/lounge/soul music depending on the track. The songs are all written by Marc Costanze and sung/played by all members of the band. The band does not seem to take itself too seriously and as a result the tracks are fun and lighthearted. The rap is not gangster rap but something much more like D.J. Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince's first album.     Overall Ranking is 4 BB & B's. The album is diverse, no risk, not offensive, and fun. (Please see below for a track by track review)

    Track 1  Steal My Sunshine  Fun, lighthearted, pop song that is one of the two songs that have been played on the radio. (I've asked some Canadians what butter tarts are and they could not tell me).
    Track 2  Cryptic Souls Crew   A catchy rap. The song has a good beat with a brass section.
    Track 3  Man of the Year  An electronic rap coupled with Shar's singing and a crowd. Very unobtrusive/smooth sound. The track breaks into about one minute of live crowd footage at the end.
    Track 4  Beautiful Day  A rap about Len. A touch of gangster rap with some Blues Brothers type brass.
    Track 5  The Hard Disk Approach  Song is sung in the German language with a mellow techno background. I do not know what is up with this song (and I  don't know enough German to translate it) but it is OK.
    Track 6  Hot Rod Monster Jam  A little funky '70's type techno song (if that can be done). I said they mix it up.  The singer sings in a high pitched voice with some dialog.
    Track 7 Cold Chillin  '...going to make two D.J.s sound like one...'  Pure rap with some female back-up vocals.
    Track 8  Feelin Alright   The other song played on the radio. This song has some good classic rock riffs mixed with a modern pop sound.  Actually has a serious message about life. Gets a little long and repetitive.
    Track 9  Cheekyburger  The Monkees might have sang this one. Len might be singing about eating a burger but I am not sure. Contains some serious rock riffs.
    Track 10  Big Meanie   Lounge Singer section. This song is hard to  characterize - maybe the BeeGees singing psychodelic. Very artistic with violins.
    Track 11  Junebug  Track 2 of the lounge singer section.  Violins again with brass. Pure lounge.
    Track 12  Crazy 'Cause I believe (Early Morning Sunshine)  A little gospel type music to send you on your way.  Dialogue intro with some gospel harmony in backgroung, then straight into choir singing. (Sharon Riley and Faith Chorale Choir)

Click here to listen to Bum Rush!!

Ranking:   out of 5 BB&B's.
 
 

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