This 10-man French crew has a tremendously entertaining album in hand with "Dances of Resistance." The disc opens with the title track, a whirlwind of high-energy ska, then doubles the dosage with the frantic "No Competition," rolls through a circus-like interlude appropriately titled "Circus" and finally delivers a tune in French, "De la Musique et du Bruit." At this point the ruling vibe is evident—full-tilt ska and dancehall reggae married to quirky lyrics. Case in point: "Mr. Clown," a midtempo number with a terrific rhythmic bounce and a sly, sardonic lyric that's as suggestive of a Fellini scenario as a piece of music can be. Different textures occasionally surface, offering brief respites from the furious pace, as on the jazzy "Interlude Barbare" or the Balkan Gypsy feel of "Parade Acoustique." —Philip Van Vleck