µ-Ziq - Duntisbourne Abbots Soulmate Devastation Technique

It seem µ-Ziq is forever to remain in the shadow of his more illustrious musical friends - Aphex Twin, Autechre, Venetian Snares et al - & for good reason. There's very little imagination or indeed talent displayed in this album. None of the tracks distinguish themselves significantly; there's a variety of styles on display, but that's about as far as the interest goes here. This is basic, uninteresting stuff; not in any way unexpected from µ-Ziq, but very disappointing nonetheless.

Although like Bilious Paths and Royal Astronomy before it, Duntisbourne Abbots takes a while to get into and appreciate. Once you do it's one hell of an album. The songs have been planned out, not to go on for too long and as a result most are under three minutes - or slightly over.

A collection of haunting off-tune melodies awaits you, they drone and they are put to catchy beats that although quiet don't let up. The same two or three melodies are reprised in songs in different forms, that was disappointing but in some cases it actually works a charm (however in the order of the tracklist the reprises are significantly worse usually).

Highlights are Prongh Seemness, Dexedrine Girl, 2CV, Strawberry Fields Hotel (brilliant), Old & Tired, Something Else, Rise Of the Salmon, Acid Steak Night, Drum Light.

A brilliant ambient/IDM/whatnot album worth the purchase.