I think that we all recognize that look, the “What the hell are you talking about, you moron!” look, right guys? Lord knows we’ve all earned one at one time or another. It’s that look on Takaki Mio’s face that made me pick up this record. Am I a sucker for suffering or something?

The A-side, “Dance wa Umaku Odorenai”, starts with a light guitar hitting the upbeats, making for a kind of airy reggae sound. This is broken up by some sharp kick hits in the chorus parts that add a bit of a tango-esque herky-jerkiness.　Some mandolin and violin accentuate the melancholy nature of the song, while the dreamy lyrics abound with dance this, dance that, dance to forget about you-type sentiments.

“Hankou - Resistance” keeps the upbeats of the A-side, but is actually an upbeat song to boot. Takaki sings about French navy boys and punk girls, harbor mornings, dancing (again), and really manages to create a fun, carefree mood. The song flirts with ska and jazz, especially when the clarinet comes in, but it takes on a folky-French twang when the accordion cascades in and out of the tune. For some reason, I imagine some 80’s looking Euro-hipsters riding on gondolas through an urban canal, laughing and being all-around merry when I hear this song.

Takaki’s voice isn’t anything special, but I must admit to really liking this record. It’s definitely a lot better than getting chewed out by your girlfriend!

inoue yousui had a song also called “dance wa umaku odorenai”, check the songwriting credits, i’m curious!

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