Dances of Resistance cover

Dances of Resistance

Babylon Circus · 2004

60 min · 17 tracks · rock music

A vibrant fusion of ska, rock, and politically charged lyrics that ignites a carnival atmosphere of resistance.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Dances of Resistance — The title track encapsulates the album's spirit, blending infectious rhythms with a call to action against societal injustices.
  • →
    Musical Terrorism Act — This song uniquely critiques governmental control over artistic expression, using irony to emphasize the absurdity of censorship.
  • →
    Warlord — With its haunting melodies and poignant lyrics, 'Warlord' reflects on themes of conflict and power, showcasing the band's lyrical depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album combines vibrant ska and rock with political themes, creating an engaging yet uneven listening experience.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks feature call-and-response vocals, enhancing the carnival atmosphere and engaging listeners in a participatory experience.
  • The latter part of the album includes interludes that shift the mood, creating moments of reflection amidst the energetic performances.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • carnival energy and vibrant rhythms
  • short bursts of playful chaos
  • engaging tracks with varied lengths
  • politically charged lyrical themes

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer lengthy, immersive albums
  • seek subtle, introspective soundscapes

Where this album fits

Career context
Dances of Resistance is Babylon Circus's second album, following their debut release in 2002. By this point, the band had begun to establish themselves as a prominent force in the French music scene, known for their energetic live performances and socially conscious themes.
Stylistic neighbors
La Femme· The Cat Empire· Gogol Bordello

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Contra la guerra : Greva general ! (Manifestation contre la guerre en Iraq) 0:31
  • 2 Dances of Resistance 3:53
  • 3 No Competition 2:46
  • 4 Circus 0:43
  • 5 De la musique et du bruit 4:24
  • 6 Mr Clown 4:00
  • 7 J'aurais bien voulu 3:22
  • 8 Interlude barbare 0:57
  • 9 Musical Terrorism Act 3:03
  • 10 Warlord 5:19
  • 11 Parade acoustique 0:53
  • 12 Sailor's Wife 3:09
  • 13 La Caravane 4:11
  • 14 Lost in the Jungle 3:56
  • 15 L'Huile sur le feu 4:10
  • 16 Petite Caravane barbare 1:09
  • 17 My Friend / À la foire sur un air de carovalse 13:27

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata