Brace Yourself [EP] [CD-single]

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

Tracks:

Tell Me
Brace Yourself
Waiting Through the Afternoon
Apologies
Take a Photograph
Lucy
Soliloquy
War Song
Blame Me
Answering Our Prayers
Til You Feel Something

Customer Reviews:

Long time ago..........2007-04-12

I first heard Dropping Daylight about 4 and 1/2 years ago when they were known as Sue Generis. They played in a small coffee shop in St. Cloud, MN. They are an unbelieveable band to see live. There new album Brace Yourself is an amazing album and it was nice to see them throw in some of there old songs from there first CD Back To Nowhere in the album.

Dropping Daylight - Brace Yourself.......2006-12-10

The Forward: Although I've heard many people classify Dropping Daylight as a "punk" band, it couldn't be further from the truth. If you're looking for quality punk music, try Rise Against. Moving on...

The Up Side: Tell Me was the first song I'd heard from Dropping Daylight, and it's probably one of the best tracks on an already solid Brace Yourself. The gritty vocals mesh well with the hard rock guitars and tasteful piano melodies, building up to an over-driven, anthemic chorus Creed only wish they could have written. The hard rock meets piano style continues for almost the entire record, save for a ballad towards the end, giving Brace Yourself an accessible flow the entire way through.

The Down Side: Although the whole piano angle gives Dropping Daylight a unique flavor, I can't help but feel like they're a little bit too similar to other, more famous bands. Heavy traces of Breaking Benjamin, Nickelback, Ben Folds Five and of course Creed, can be heard the entire way through. Since Brace Yourself is a debut, this isn't really a big deal, but if DD really want to make a name for themselves, they'll have to break the mold and come with a style all their own next time around.

The Conclusion: Brace Yourself is a very safe, commercial hard rock record. Almost anyone into rock or pop can find something to enjoy here, and those who say they can't are just being stupid.

The End.

I know it's been said, but seriously AMAZING.......2006-11-03

We seen these guys in concert about 2 years ago when they opened for Simple Plan. We had never heard of them, but we were blown away. We became instant fans. At the time only their 4 song EP was out. We got it and listened to it over and over. Several months later we had the opportunity to see them in concert again. It was a small show, but they performed like they were playing in front of thousands, giving it their all and rocking their hearts out. These guys are very talented and you won't be dissapointed if you buy this CD. Every single song is a winner. Trust me, this will become one of your favorite CD's.

I was amazed seeing these guys live.......2006-07-12

Hey everyone,I'm from mexicocity and I remember I saw dropping daylight 1 and a half year ago opening for Trapt in Boston,MA. When this guys appeared on stage they didnt cause any emotions to the people, they looked like amateurs who were just trying to have an opportunity. Nobody was paying attention to this guys when they came out on stage, but as they started to play, everybody got in complete silence, including me. I was amazed, seriously amazed. The way these guys mix the piano and the rock riffs, they move amazing on stage. I remember they opened with the song take a photograph, and I liked it, the second one was my favourite,War song, This song sounds amazing live, i was really in shock. When the show finished everybody bought their EP, and I asked the singer when were they going to have an debut album. He told me summer 2006, and i promised him to buy it, and since that day I waited a lot of time, and now that I have the album in my hands, all I can say is buy this great album.

One of the best new bands out there.......2006-07-12

I saw these guys when they opened up for Mraz in Mesa, AZ and were blown away by their music and stage presence. I had never heard of them, but was very impressed. I immediately bought the demo they were selling at the show. When Brace Yourself came out, I wasted no time in purchasing it either. Hard driven, melody-laden tunes highlight this very strong breakout album by this Minnesota foursome. Led by pianist/singer/songwriter Sebastian Davin, it's easy to make comparisons to Ben Folds, but this album has much more depth. Many bands come to mind when I listen to these guys: Ben Folds, Incubus, Hoobastank...I even heard stuff that sounded Dream Theater-ish. The well-crafted, energized songs play one after the other and it becomes apparent that this is one of the best new bands out there. You should definitely pick this CD up ASAP, and if you get the chance to see them live, dont miss it!

Average customer rating:

Dissapointed at first, love it now... not like FIF at all.
Enjoyable - But I'm waiting for the next to blow it away.
FIF without the trumpets
As good as it could be
Looking forward to more Roper, better than this hopefully.

Brace Yourself for the Mediocre
Roper
Manufacturer: Five Minute Walk
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Light of Things Hoped For
The End Is Here
Cheeses...
Upbeats & Beatdowns
Quantity Is Job 1

ASIN: B00062147U
Release Date: 2004-10-19

Tracks:

Hello Lamewads
You're With Stupid
Amplify
Vendetta!
Red Eye To Miami
Quicksilver
1985
Say Sayonara
How Your Halo Fell
Day Of Pigs
Fireflies
You're Still The One
In Excelsis Deo

Customer Reviews:

Dissapointed at first, love it now... not like FIF at all........2007-02-25

I was very interested in Roper ever since the fateful and very real (not many false alarms) breakup of Five Iron Frenzy (FIF). I downloaded (very illegally) one mp3 to test it out before ordering, and was intrigued. So I decided to go out on a limb and order this CD.

Some background, I like pop/punk (MxPx, some Blink 182, Rufio, etc) and a wide variety of others. I like energetic music (like the above) or thoughtful/moody music (Coldplay, Nickel Creek). And of course, the all-important FIF, especially their earlier albums. I'm not much of a lyrics person, and normally don't know most of the words to the songs I listen to except for some of the good ones. Most of this review is on musical style.

When I first got this, I was disappointed. I wanted a really creative album with a bunch of good hits, but it seems like most of them were ok (mediocre?) and with just a few slightly better ones. I decided to keep listening. Now, I really love a bunch of them. They all reek of Reece Roper's rougher vocal style... the more edgy, whiny (for lack of a better word) voice rather than the smoother style used in FIF's stuff. You can really see this on track 2, "You're with Stupid"... very rough sounding, though it fits the song.

A lot of the music seems like it was quickly put together, not as refined and a bit methodical; especially the guitar and drums. I'd describe it as a bit standard. However, the real saver are the songs like "Quicksilver", "1985", "How your Halo Fell", "Fireflies", and especially the grand exit and last track, "In Excelsis Deo". The rest of the tracks I could take or leave (and probably leave, they're not my style like the regae/rock n roll "Red Eye to Miami"), but these keepers just dig in and now give me chills.

The tracks I mentioned seem to exude more of the deep passion FIF was known for, and I feel make this album worth it. I'm not much of lyrics person, though I still loved FIF for being passionate and honest (and goofy too). I really appreciate the music behind about half of the Roper album, and can't wait for the second more refined album. However, who knows how long that'll be; from what I've read, this was more of a project or collaboration, not a full fledged band. That's disappointing, as this album has got me excited to see what they could come up with given enough time and refinement. Come one Reece... rope 'em back together and put together a second album, maybe "Our Newest Album Ever"?

Enjoyable - But I'm waiting for the next to blow it away........2006-04-23

I bought this within the first week of its release, highly excited that I finally knew about Reese Roper and friends when he put out an album. Sadly, I came to enjoy Five Iron only after they broke up. Regardless...The album is nice. That's the best word in my opinion: the lyrics are in Reese's usual self-deprecating/personal style that anyone familiar loves, and the music is energetic, catchy, and poppy, but the album seems to be missing the deep stomach that has characterized past albums that Reese has been involved. It is true several of these songs would've been Guerilla Rodeo songs, but they would have had the minds of John Warne, Sonnie Johnston, and Josh Abbot to add to them if they'd have been done under that band's moniker. The album has a good list of musicians contributing, including Ethan Luck (Dingees, O.C. Supertones, Demon Hunter, My Red Hot Nightmare) and Frank Lenz (Starflyer 59) ,but it didn't have any of the current members contributing; Reese was still recruiting them. If you ask the other members of Roper, they say they come from diverse musical backgrounds, much more broad than this album is musically. The album is worth having for those who truly appreciate any project in which Reese Roper is involved. It isn't a bad album, as I said - it's nice. Maybe this album should've been released later, after the members had time to collaborate; who knows. But if Reese and Co. ever get the money they need to record a new album and tour in its support, then look for the diversity of Roper's members to shine through in an album that exceeds the original.

I enjoy all the songs. It's hard to choose favorites. But I'll try: the most mature is probably "Day of Pigs", Ouicksilver follows close behind lyrically.

FIF without the trumpets.......2005-12-22

This CD is O.K. Average. After FIF was over, i guess Reese could make another band to make us smile. well i was in between a smile and a frown on this one. More of a blank stare. This CD has some good songs and some songs that are just not good.

Highlights:
-You're With Stupid
-Amplify
-Vendetta
-Red Eye To Miami
-1985
-You're Still The One
-In Excelsis Deo

Even though these songs are highlights, they will never reach the potential of songs like "every new day."
This Cd Still deserves a listen though. But a warning...you might be dissapointed.

As good as it could be.......2005-11-15

I'm not saying that this is as good as Roper will ever be, I'm just saying that this CD is as good as it could have been. By that I mean that lots of the material on this CD was stuff that had been written for Reese's other project that never happened, Guerilla Rodeo. On top of that, the band wasn't together at this point, the majority of the work on this record is Reese and Reese alone (with the amazing mixing of Saki).

That said, this album holds up lyrically to it's Five Iron predecessors in almost every way. It uses Reese's background as a child as well as humor and morals in all of the songs. I particularly like "You're with Stupid," "Red Eye to Miami," and "In Excelsis Deo."

Musically, this is very different from Five Iron, no horns at all (since there are no horn players in the band) and largely driven by the "vibrosynth" I think is what it was called, a little keyboard instrument. Overall, it's very catchy, music that you'll hum all day long if it's the last thing you hear in the morning.

This is a good CD, and I highly recommend it. But moreso, I look forward to the next CD that Roper puts out, as it (like Five Iron's albums) will definitely improve on all aspects of this first effort.

Looking forward to more Roper, better than this hopefully........2005-11-02

The first I had heard of Roper was at Creation East, at the fringe stage. Man, it was crazy. Reese has a rubber chicken attached to his keyboard "I'm going to slap this chicken twice during this song" Some guy showed up dressed as batman, and the security let him jump onto the stage. (Unfortunately nobody caught him when he jumped off...poor guy) It was Reese's birthday, and he smeared his blue icing all over his face reenacting that scene from braveheart. It was insane. These guys are amazing live. Afterwards I bought the CD at the shop by the main stage...I was pretty disappointed.

It seems that some of the enthusiasm is lost listening to the CD. I'm not saying it's dull or they sound bored, the songs just don't appeal to me as much on the CD. The lyrics are humorous in most songs, but somewhat cheesy in others. Altogether worth a listen, but I'm hoping the second Roper is a little better. Keep up the good work Reese & co.

Average customer rating:

Illegitimate Bastards
this is really great stuff
Follow the Bouncing Pong
Disapointing
Very nice album

Brace Yourself
µ-Ziq , and mu-ziq
Manufacturer: Astralwerks
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Drum & Bass | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

IDM | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Techno-House | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music

IDM | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Dance & DJ | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Royal Astronomy
Lunatic Harness
In Pine Effect
Salsa with Mesquite
Bilious Paths

ASIN: B000006785
Release Date: 1998-05-05

Tracks:

Brace Yourself (Remix)
Kubba
Vaken Bolt
Losers March
Summer Living
Intellitag
Abmoit
Brace Yourself (Reprise)

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:

Illegitimate Bastards.......2007-04-12

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"?

this is really great stuff.......2004-12-16

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.

Follow the Bouncing Pong.......2004-01-31

I was a latecomer when it came to U-ziq, sampling some of their first electronic pieces last and some of the pieces some described as "their worst" first. I actually thought those were all good works, too, finding "Royal Astronomy" to be a good album even though it seemed to be frowned upon and also enjoying the early portions, too. Still, that's the way that all bands are and U-ziq seems to be no exception. They cater to different people while they shift through phases, toting different brands of taste from one year to the other. And what would one expect, really, from a band experimenting with sound?

I personally thought that Brace Yourself was done nicely, with it sparking my mind in different ways depending on the track. I liked the mad scramble playing out in the remix of "Brace Yourself" and carrying itself (albeit in a different light) into "Kubba."
I didn't like the degeneration of "Brace Yourself" toward the center of the song, the "follow the bouncing pong" sound actually hurting it because it was overused just a little it too much and killing some of the other sounds. Still, I found some of the layering in that madhouse something of a treat, enjoying a little of the videogame taste housed within folds of the noise.
"Kubba" held itself together better, with some of the sounds drifting to a resting point in the album and then growing atop the build, making it serene and still mad. The calm points in it, around 2:30 into the song, were really nice a layered, and that made it well worth listening to.
I especially enjoyed the atmosphere cast into "Vaken Bolt," enjoying the almost floaty sound it birthed after the breeding of the track to my mind was finished, and I thought it set a interesting mood. I like the electronically haunted sounds floating to the top of the still-energetic stew, and thought that this piece was perhaps the best portion of the EP. I especially liked it after it developed somewhat, getting over a minute into the song and mixing in a small tapestry of sonic threads into the framework.
"Losers March" was also pretty nicely done, with it utilizing many of the same elements that made the remix of "Brace Yourself" work out. It has a nice electronic feel to it, pacing itself well from beginning to end while giving a little madness to the beat from time to time just for kicks before it totally breaks down. For some reason I liked the chaos in the song, too, and I liked the way it seemed to teeter on the brink of it before it all fell down at the end.
"Summer Living" has something of a mad electric rhythm to it, with sounds shooting through it at randomly contrived places and building blocks beating their ways into it as it lays sonic stepping stones.
"Intellitag" is also a track I enjoyed a lot, with it taking sounds that seem almost calm and mixing them with a somewhat mad percussion section. I'd be listening to the cascade of noises, one moving in and another out, and I saw that it was all making the minute key strokes that were noticeable here and there seem like strange siren songs when they play in the background. And that struck me as something almost primally beautiful.
And then there's "Abmoit," a build piece that isn't anywhere near my favorite flavor of song, and "Brace Yourself (Reprise)" finishing off the fold.

The only problem I would note with the album as a whole is the fact that I didn't like one track on it and that it is indeed an EP. I personally find EP's lacking in many a right, wanting more when I finally get to them and notice that they only offer a taste of what I was in the market for, but that's rarely a bad thing if it leaves me wanting. I also wouldn't say this was U-Ziq's best, but its still worth checking out - provided that this isn't your starting point when you begin your listening odyssey.

Disapointing.......2002-06-10

I really can't stand this album.
I like songs with more action and energy, and
this has no flavor or beat to it.

Very nice album.......2001-12-24

The first track "Brace Yourself (Remix)" is so darn good. How can anyone not listen to that song and not just start giggling like a little girl is beyond me, it is like some whacked out happy hardcore track. This is a funk curing album, if you feel unhappy just put it in and it will wipe away any bad feelings you might have. Other than that "Summer Living" is the other highlight, another great warm piece of work. Mu-ziq's stuff sounds like he has fun making it, and you can really feel it through the music. This is an album you can put into the cd player and just forget about, nothing is skip worthy, sure there are a few "weak" songs, but none warrant a skipping.

Tracks:

Paralyzed - Graham Parker
Hey Little Boy (Little Girl) - Chrissie Hynde, Chris Spedding
Home in Your Heart - Paul Rodgers
Breathless
Let' Talk About Us - The Smithereens
Fever - Tom Verlaine
On That Powerline - Joe Louis Walker
Don't Be Cruel - Debbie Harry
All Shook Up - Kris Kristofferson
Handy Man - Frank Black
Great Balls of Fire - Joe Ely, Sue Foley
Brace Yourself - Ronnie Spector
Daddy Rollin' Stone - Willy DeVille
Return to Sender - Dave Edmunds
All Shook Up - Jon Spencer

Customer Reviews:

Well, bless my soul!.......2005-06-27

This is a tribute album to songwriter Otis Blackwell. Blackwell wrote hit songs for Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and others. Most of the renditions of his songs here are pretty good. None of them come close to matching the versions by the original artists, but none of them suck, either. Anyway, it's good to see this sometimes overlooked songwriter getting some recognition.

Average customer rating:

In Between
Highwater Rising
Manufacturer: Box 29 Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000658AHE
Release Date: 2003-03-25

Tracks:

Coming Undone
Wasted Days
Life in Three Parts
In My Head
Dropout
I Can't Wait
Lie Awake
Kissing Tree
Waiting
Oceans

Sidewalk Music: Electronic & Electroacoustic Music

Average customer rating:

No Bleep Bloops Here
FELICE ROCKS
FELICE ROCKS
The BEST Counterpoint Teacher EVER

Sidewalk Music: Electronic & Electroacoustic Music
Frank Felice
Manufacturer: Capstone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000793SZ
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Customer Reviews:

No Bleep Bloops Here.......2004-07-15

This is a terrific eclectic mixture of imagination, ideas, craftsmanship, courage and chutzpah. Frank Felice knows how to combine state-of-the-art high tech wizardry with serious, sentimental, and stunning musical ideas that communicate and move you to tears, smiles, and all with thought-provoking energy. The versitility of this accomplished young composer shines thru in many of the cuts, the solo eletcronics pieces are original and effective, but especially in those pieces that fuse live instruments with technology. A master of this, he boldly, and uniquely, carries on the torch left by Mario Davidowsky. Excellent sound, terrific new music that moves us convincingly into the 2000's.

FELICE ROCKS.......2004-01-07

Having never been previously exposed to electronic music, I found Felice's "Sidewalk Music" a fun and intriguing experience. I never knew what to expect or hear next; the pieces kept me listening and wanting more (which is contrary to the stereotype of 'new' music). The titles are witty, showing Felice's great sense of humor. The pieces range from the very abstract to the creative combination of 'real' and created sounds. One of my favorites is "Reflections;" it is fun to create a storyline to go along with the piece (which you can do with the others as well!). The piano work, done by a Butler grad, in a piece from the "Psychotica" etudes is well-written and well-played (and I particularly enjoy it). Several of Butler's talented music professors are featured on this cd. Fellow Butler-ites I say to you: pick up a copy at the bookstore and listen to what your prof has to say! I encourage everyone else to get a copy of Felice's cd as well, whether you have or have not experienced electronic music before. It's fun, and definitely better than chopping down the mightiest tree in the forest with a herring!

FELICE ROCKS.......2004-01-07

The BEST Counterpoint Teacher EVER.......2002-12-16

I actually haven't heard this album yet, but if it's anything like Felice's previous works it should win a Grammy.