Customer Reviews

Beneath the Surface

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Does music find you? You aren't looking, and then BAM! You hear it, you freeze--motionless and speechless. BALLIGOMINGO is Awesome! It found me in this way and I hope it finds its way to you.

What have we got here? I will attempt to describe it: oozing, dripping, sweeping, dreamy, haunting, mesmerizing, EUPHORIC music with stunning, perfectly matched/balanced to the music, and the BEST collaboration of female vocals swirling and soaring inside. (I must mention their names; each croons one song or more: Jody Quine, Beverely Staunton, Colleen Coadic, Jennifer Hershman, Jennifer Baldwin, Kristy Thirsk, and Camille Miller.) You'd think that would be more than enough, right? Wrong! You can top that off with deep, poetic lyrics that will blow your mind with their power. POWER.

POWER IS HERE: BALLIGOMINGO. Sounds like a magic word, doesn't it? I believe it is!

I rarely say this but I would personally like to meet the creator, Gary Schwarz, to thank him and shake his hand and even give him a hug for his Gift to us. Music is a precious gift and he has truly given freely and lavishly.

I give this my highest recommendation. If you love Delerium and/or Dagda, you will not want to miss this. BALLIGOMINGO is actually unlike anything I have ever heard. Trust me--just buy it. I don't see how anyone couldn't love it. I have never ranked something perfect before. But BALLIGOMINGO gets a well deserved 10 of 10 stars.

Soar!

What can you say about this band..when all you hear is the same old bs on the radio you have a band like this that pleasantly surprises you with it's obvious great musical ideas. A perfect combination of smooth electronic melodies that can will have a spiritual affect on your soul. It is uplifting while at the same time keeps you in a melow thoughfull mood. At would have to say they maybe in a class by themselves at this point, well maybe along side Paul Schwartz and a couple others. For all you xymox, moev, alphaville and ah ha fans you must check this band out, they take it to the next level!! Notable mentions along with Balligomingo is Dead can Dance and Conjure One.....simply great.

I wouldn't compare this to Enya, as I've seen done. I might compare it to Enigma, but that's a stretch too. I'd say the best comparisons (using music that I have experience with) would be 1. Conjure One (if you like them, I guarantee you'll like this and vice versa) and 2. Delerium. I gave Conjure One five stars as well.

Anyway, nice beats. Uplifting and sensual female vocals. Great stuff. This seems a bit more upbeat than Conjure One but not bubble gum happy. Depsite my predilection for sadder things, I actually prefer this to Conjure One. I got my father hooked on Conjure One and he loved this one as well. Definitely will show off your stereo system if you're an audiophile.

I'd say Privilege is my favorite song. Very mesmerising.

I'd rate the CD... probably in the top 20 of my CDs (and I have a music collection of about 75GB in lossless WMA ranging from Nine Inch Nails to Yanni) Blah blah blah. Get it. You'll be pleased.

Every song features synthesizer and female vocals (I believe there are seven different vocalists featured across the 11 tracks, including Kristy Thirsk of Delerium fame). That is not to say that the songs all sound the same - the varieties in vocalists and moods are quite sufficient to maintain the listener's interest. "Falling" and "Marooned" stand out as the highlights of the album.

Though the official press Beneath the Surface calls it "a lush soundscape of electronic, acoustic, orchestral and world beat textures," I feel that the acoustic and world beat components are rather lacking. Synthesizers are very dominant throughout, with a good bit of orchestral support. The one track that does break the mold is "Marooned," which features some nice acoustic guitar.

Beneath the Surface sounds very similar to Delerium's work, with more consistent verse-chorus song structure, and no instrumental tracks. This is unsurprising considering that Bill Leeb (half of Delerium's Leeb and Fulber) had a hand in Balligomingo's creation. Despite its somewhat formulaic composition, Beneath the Surface is quite engaging, and contains some very moving songs. I strongly recommend it if you are fond of electronica, or are looking for someting in the vein of Delerium's female-fronted pop songs like "Silence."

I am really happy about my purchase of Balligomingo's Beneath the Surface. I like everything about it. I don't skip a single track. Each track has something to offer. The female vocals are amazing. They accompany the synths and other electronic sounds in a silky smooth compatible way. Audiophiles will love this album too as the tracks can show off a good sound system or great headphones. Personally, I like to listen with headphones so I can hear all of the nuances and layering contained within Beneath the Surface. If you like this album you may also like Amethystium, Mythos, Blue Stone, Delerium, and Sleepthief. I recommend them highly.

Beneath The Surface is one of those rare cd's that's timeless in every respect. From the exceptional,lush arrangements to the use of highly talented female vocalists, this cd has remained in my top ten playlist for the last two years and this is no easy feat!!! Typically, you would find just one or two tracks that are gems off a cd but not here. Every track on Beneath The Surface is amazing due to the use of different female vocalists such as Jody Quine, Beverley Staunton & Jennifer Hershman. You'll find the cd atmospheric, ethereal and very sensual with these standout tracks: "Purify," "Sweet Allure," "Beyond," "Privilege", "Heat","Marooned," "Lost," and "Lust". I keep hoping that Garrett Schwartz(the brainchild behind Balligomingo)will come out soon with a follow-up to his Beneath The Surface masterpiece. If you are a fan of Delerium, Conjure One, Enigma, etc. - trust me - you will absolutely love this cd. !

This CD is positively great. It has some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard. It is lush, rich, and smooth. The female voices are at times haunting and angelic (listen to "Escape"). If you are a fan of Delerium, Enigma, and Conjure One, you will love this CD. I highly recommend it.