Brace Yourself [SINGLE] [EP]

Mu-Ziq

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 5, 1998)
• Original Release Date: April 21, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single, EP
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B000006785
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #124,163 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Brace Yourself [Remix]

2. Kubba

3. Vaken Bolt

4. Losers March

5. Summer Living

6. Intellitag

7. Abmoit

8. Brace Yourself (Reprise)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

U-Ziq's the most high-profile alias of unassuming young Mike Paradinas, who, using little black boxes and a computer, makes hilariously vibrant breakbeat-based music that's vibrant, alive, and almost organic. Though frequently compared with so-called drill and bass artists like Squarepusher and Wabi Sabi, Paradinas is one of the most fascinating musicians of any kind, no matter where you lump him. His stuff delights in imploding dance music conventions: hyper sped-up breaks crash into inter-linked loops and washes of sound in ways you've never heard before and likely never will again ... at least until the next U-Ziq record or remix. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars it's NOT Aphex Twin!, March 6, 2000

By	"cthulhukid" (Purgatory) - See all my reviews

While they may sound similar, U-ziq and RDJ really aren't that close. U-ziq is much more upbeat, tending towards a more sublime, cerebral experience than RDJ (who I'm a huge fan of as well).

This EP begins on a manic note with "Brace Yourself," an ADD song so hectic, it surpasses even the "Girl/Boy Song." Such a mood would be hard to hold for a whole album, so Paradinas doesn't even try. The next song, "Kubba," keeps the tempo set up for it, but at a relatively consistent rate, with a sparse set of tweeting noises in the background. Next is the lazy, mellow "Vaken Bolt," which meanders along like a hot august day. Then comes "Losers March." I don't know where the Loser comes in, I quite like the piece. It picks up the sugar-high percussion that Paradinas is famous for, adding some string effects and no comprehensible time signature. "Summer Living" follows, and for some reason dredges up memories of summer vacation as a child... I feel like running through an open field after listening to it. Nearly the same snare beat is used in "Intellitag," the next song, but it is dropped entirely for "ambiot," another lazy song using strings and bass with only sparing beats to create a swooshy, airy feeling. Finally comes another mix of "Brace Yourself," which is not nearly as good as the openner. It is much more subdued and, dare I say- regular? Well, not compared to most music, but it is definately a comedown track after all the excitement jammed into this little disk. Great fun.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not so original, July 19, 1999

By A Customer

I liked this one but, as pointed out by someone, I found it a bit too close to Aphex Twin, esp. "Richard James Album and "Come to Daddy".

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Groundbreaking, May 5, 1999

By A Customer

Just an amazing album - a beautiful, hypnotic, and unique collection of sounds. Not only is Michael redefining the genre of electronic music, but he is also redefining the way music in general can sound. Caution should be exercized before buying, however; this album (as with all of mu-ziq's recordings) is not for the closed minded.