Beneath the Surface

Balligomingo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 11, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Windham Hill Records
• Run Time: 54 minutes
• ASIN: B000067NW0
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,125 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally - Balligomingo is here!, June 15, 2002

By 

Clarissa "MoonGoddess" (Ontario, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Beneath the Surface (Audio CD)

I've been following Balligomingo for over a year now but it's been well worth the wait. This sonic soundscape of lush, female singing with ambient-pop and smooth electronic beats is enough to send anyone soaring, and we have Garrett Schwartz to thank for that. He is the master genious behind Balligomingo for most of this is surprisingly done on mixing sounds with a computer or programmer. The atmosphere is all so dreamy with downtempo chill-out amidst swirls of worldbeat and feminine lounge, but that's only part of the reason why Balligomingo is so effective in seducing the listener. The lyrics are steamy and hot while the singing is breathy and mysterious with artists such as Kristy Thirsk of Delerium and the Rose Chronicles getting us all sweaty and bothered on songs like the scorching "Heat". Even Bill Leeb & Chris Peterson of Delerium and Frontline Assembly co-produce to add their own ethereal touches. Jazz vocalist Beverley Staunton casts her spellbinding vocals on songs like "Falling" and "Lust" (which resonates deeper in bass than the others) while Camille Miller provide her vocals on the more familiar single "Lost" (which is featured on the Elevation 3 compilation) and Jennifer Hershman on my favorite track, "Sweet Allure". "Privelege" is another personal favorite with its wonderful string arrangments. I only wish that the song "Waiting" was on here which featured the vocals of kaRIN who sings with the electronic-goth group Collide. That song was featured on their sampler CD a while back, which I never received because of supplies running out. Overall, though, Balligomingo's BENEATH THE SURFACE is a worthy debut that will appeal to fans of Enigma, Enya, Zero 7, Delerium and Massive Attack.

Hope my review was somehow helpful.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet allure, July 16, 2002

By 

Erica Anderson (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beneath the Surface (Audio CD)

Being new to Balligomingo, I was intrigued by the description of the album comparing the music on this album to Delerium and Enigma. Being a big fan of both Delerium and Engima, I simply had to own this album. The lush, ethereal, ambient sounds of Garret Schwarz had me captivated from the second I heard "Purify". The song is just one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. "Escape" is another song that I completely fell head over heels for. The gorgeous melodies, and heartwrenching vocals took my breath away. The same can be said about "Falling" too. Picking a favorite song among this wonder album is too difficult. All the songs are wonderful in their own way. I absolutely loved delicate female vocals used on the album. The women all reminded me of Kristy Thirsk who makes a guest appearance on this album on "Heat". I am definitely hooked on what I heard on "Beneath the Surface". The etheral vocals and ambient beats makes this album very soothing and relaxing to listen to after a long day at the office. I think if there was a flaw with the album that it was too short but other than that, this album is just perfect. I look forward to hearing more from Balligomingo. "Beneath the Surface" definitely is among the top 5 albums of 2002, and an excellent tide me over until Delerium puts out another album.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very impressive debut, October 13, 2002

By 

Za'chary Westbrook "Jericho" (Salem, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beneath the Surface (Audio CD)

When you look at the debut albums of some of the great Trance bands, you find music that really seems to be looking for a direction. Enigma's MCMXC A.D. is a good example of this. Unlike later albums, like The Screen Behind The Mirror that have a very definate theme throughout, MCMXC A.D. jumps around a lot and contains few of the things that have become Enigma trademarks. Balligomingo's Beneath The Surface has a very definate feel to it. It's the kind of audible hallucinagen that put Delerium, Enigma, and Enya on the map, and has, fittingly, found a place in the 'Pure Moods' archive. ('Purify' is on Pure Moods IV.) But Balligomingo's electronic feel sends the CD off-course from the long-walk-in-the-woods sound of its Pure Moods bretheren. Actually, several of the songs are far more reminiscent of Sasha, Chicane, or Zero7. But comparing Balligomingo, as an artist, to any of these people would first of all be incorrect and secondly premature. Beneath The Surface is an incredible CD, but the songs do really blend together. Wether this is created by illusion through gentle song transitions or wether the songs are really just variations on a theme. The CD ultimately is what albums like Ultra Chilled and Chillout 2002 claim to be. Balligomingo's Beneath The Surface, while lacking the kind of musical diversity that makes singles, is the best chillout album I've heard all year.