Customer Reviews

Brace Yourself

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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".

I'm an avid indie rock (specifically lo-fi) fan so techno is something I only listen to when I'm looking for a specific mood. And at the risk of catching flack from the more devoted fans of electronic music, this was the first techno album that I bought. Admittedly, it's not as layered or as fascinating as some of the other stuff I've purchased (Amon Tobin, DJ Food, Autechre)--but as far as mood music, you can't beat this album. The beats are fast and fluid, and even though it feels like the first hours of a week long caffeine binge, u-ziq captures the feeling of the first few warm days after a bitterly cold spell, that strange crawling feel of unseasonably warm air and naps with all the windows open. The The title track and 'summer living' are two to check out.

What electronica should be. Absolutely insane yet, catchy. I concur with the aforementioned review. It is nintendo music on crank! You should really buy this record. Just go and get it... Come on, it's only 8 bucks. Trust me.

nintendo music on crank. hear this one for sure

If you REALLY want to listen to Mu-ziq's best stuff, check out Tango'n'Vectif and Bluff Limbo. Beautiful works of art... Paradinas has kinda gone downhill since those two beauties.

A collection of outcast bastards from daddy Paladinas' fascinating "Lunatic Harness" family. Being a Mu-ziq fan I gave these guys a fair shake. Indeed these tracks have all the smooth under-melodies and hard break beat cuts as their pedigree main album brothers. But somehow they do not possesss the legerdemain of the Mu-ziq name. Maybe if they had been secretly held over into the next CD they could have blended in and stood their ground. I agree that they were not added to the main CD as this would have diluted it's intensity. Track #7 "Abmoit" does grab your interest with a unique stylistic presentation. Even the CD cover shows daddy turning his back on these feeble bastards. And why would he name one boy "Losers March"?

3 1/2

Some of early drill and bass's finer work (and worthy companion piece to his Lunatic Harness) has this influential beatsmith hammering his simple though effective keyboard lines towards the point of no return. Naturally this type of skull-thumpery would best be suited towards the adventurous electronic types, though what Mu-Ziq helps do is bridge the gap between accessible dance-based techno and complex, schizophrenic creativity from some of the genre's more radical figures.

granted, this is my first mu-ziq record, but if this is any indication of his overall skill, its a shocker that his name is often not mentioned next to aphex twin, squarepusher, or autechre. this record has a great whimsical and melodic vibe, mixed with great beats. ziq obviously has a great sense of humor and serious sequencing skills. all the tracks are accessable. i can't wait to get more of his records.