Customer Reviews

Under an Endless Sky

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I originally purchased the download and had to get the actual disk. While reading the other reviews, it seems very clear that there are 2 camps growing out of this new release. Anyone expecting more of the same Enigma sounding iterations that we've heard from BTS and from other bands like Delerium, Conj. 1, etc. may be disappointed - as seems to be one of the only complaints I've read. However, I for one, am impressed in the solid attempt to be original and different. I personally find that each time I listen I discover new elements I enjoy. The album certainly delivers Balligomingo ambience - but in a new & unique way thru their use of acoustic guitar, electronic effects, and a more folk writing element. To me - its different in an Enya meets Coldplay with a Pink Floyd twist sort of way. To be fair to the band - I think they bring something new to a genre whose number of acts have been dwindling over the decade. For those of us who love ambient music - lets embrace the diversity and only hope that more bands bring more music to us so we aren't forced to listen to more main stream "product".

I have been a fan of Balligomingo since 2002 when their debut album BENEATH THE SURFACE came out. I loved the lush, gentle electronic beats and ethereal female vocals. After seven years of waiting and waiting, Balligomingo finally puts out a follow up album with UNDER AN ENDLESS SKY. The long wait proved to be well worth the effort. UNDER AN ENDLESS SKY is 53 minutes of pure bliss. Most of the vocals are provided by new member Jody Quine who had joined ship as a full time member however Rebecca Ramone contributes to a few tracks on "Over You", "Goodbye", "Spinning", and "Dream Believer".

The music on UNDER AN ENDLESS SKY is a bit more diverse than on BENEATH THE SKY. There is a rock/folk edge to the music like on "A Beautiful Day" and "I Just Tell Myself". The entire album is as good as its predecessor. I find the songs very calming and relaxing to listen to. Jody and Rebecca's polished vocals are flawless. The electronic beats are perfect. They never overwhelm the songs themselves. I am particularly fond of the song "Sunshine in Rain". I remember hearing it on Balligomingo's myspace page a few years ago and loving it. I love the mix of acoustic and downtempo music.

After a seven year wait, UNDER AN ENDLESS SKY was definitely worth every minute. If you like Delerium and Sleepthief, UNDER AN ENDLESS SKY is definitely worth buying.

"Under an Endless Sky" is exceptionally well-balanced. Grounded in beautifully arranged melodies, the exquisite vocals and superb guitar work elevate the experience to nothing less than pure brilliance!

All of the songs are first rate, but the gems among gems for me are the following:

Letting Go
New World
Sunshine in Rain
La Bonita
A Beautiful Day

All around, a wonderful follow-up to "Beneath the Surface" -- long time in the making...well worth the wait!

You will fail miserably if you try to compare the first album to this endeavor. There really is no similarity to the first album, yet it is unmistakenly Balligomingo. Tough to explain that one. The first album I fell in love with immediately with each song building on the next. This album did not hit me until I had listened to it several times. Now, I cannot stop listening to it. Each time I listen, I find something deeper in each song. It may be a more mature Balligomingo where, like a great glass of wine, needs time to breath. My best advice is to buy this and listen.

I first was introduced to Balligomingo back in 2002 with their debut album, "Beneath The Surface". In the years since then, I've been crossing my fingers, hoping and praying that a second album would be released. When I found out that there would indeed be a second album, I was excited to say the very least. When I had the opportunity to purchase "Under An Endless Sky", there was no hesitation on my part. Upon only one listen I would have to say that "Under An Endless Sky" is quite different than "Beneath The Surface", but different in a very positive way. I would say this album is far more acoustic sounding with the guitar being the prominent instrument, where as the first album was definitely more synthesizer driven. The darkness and mystery of the first album is replaced by a refreshing melodic chill out.

Jody Quine is the only vocalist from the first album to make a return here. In fact, she is officially a part of Balligomingo now, along with Garrett Schwarz and Vic Levak. Along with Jody, Rebecca Ramone lends her vocals to several of the tracks. I wasn't familiar with Rebecca until now, but her vocals compliment the album quite well, as does Jody's.

The only complaint I have is not about the music itself but the track listing on the album is different than the track listing on amazon.com. Contrary to what the track listing says on amazon, there are not 15 songs on the CD that I have here in my hand. The songs: Goodbye Remix Bonus Track, Beautiful Day Remix Bonus Track, Dream Believer Remix Bonus Track, and Thinking of You Bonus Track are not on my cd, and the song: I Just Tell Myself *is* on CD, but not listed on the tracks on amazon.com. So that's 12 songs on my CD compared to the 15 on the amazon track listing.

That oversight aside, I'm very satisfied with "Under An Endless Sky." If you love "Beneath The Surface," then you will most likely enjoy this album as well.

If "Beneath the Surface" had the intensity of crashing waves, this new album does just as much on the swell of the tide. Not so say that Balligomingo, with singers like Jody Quine, would ever be called easy listening. Here the band weaves a mood across the entire song instead of hitting you over the head with catchy hooks. Jody goes for an evocative feel rather than the wailing highs and purring lows of old.

Who would like it?--anyone with some time to feed their spiritual side; writers who want music for contemplative scenes; small gatherings looking to introduce something different.

Why not five stars? Maybe if there was one more song like "Over you" to help us reconnect with "Beneath the Surface" the transition would be smoother. On the first listen I thought "huh?". The next time around, I picked up on the subtle variations and started to choose favorites. In any case, this is one of those rare albums you can play all the way through without having to skip around.

I really enjoyed this CD. The music is very relaxing without putting you to sleep.

Glad I got it.

I have been waiting for more music from Balligomingo for some time. I loved "Beneath the Surface" and love "Under an Endless Sky." The new music has positive images written into each song, and I find myself thinking about the music even when I'm not listening to it.

Under An Endless Sky is a beautiful follow up to Balligomingo's debut and is a bit of a departure from Beneath the Surface. The greatest difference between Under An Endless Sky and Beneath The Surface is that Under An Endless Sky is less ethereal and a little more pop sounding. I personally prefer the sounds from the first album because each track was like visiting and traveling through exotic landscapes. Beneath the Surface sounded very different on each track but still kept a cohesive theme. Under An Endless Sky carries much of the essence of the first album but the production is less varied. Not that that is a flaw with Under An Endless Sky but it definitely sets it apart from the first album in terms of style and direction. If Beneath the Surface could be compared to taking a trip by audio to exotic lands then Under An Endless Sky would be like an extended stay in one of Balligomingo's aural landscapes. It's a visit I would highly recommend!

I seldom write reviews but I feel compelled to wade in here and add my own two cents. As a big fan of the first Balligomingo album, I too was eager for more music by these guys and waited years for this one. Now it's here and I'm quite impressed, although I don't find the album as consistently strong from start to finish as some of the other reviewers here. For me, "Under an Endless Sky" is a top-heavy album, which is to say, it's front-loaded with the best tracks at the top of the order. Thus my favorites are "Spinning," "A Beautiful Day," and "I Just Tell Myself." Almost as good as those three is the very last track on the album, "La Bonita," as well as track 7, "Dream Believer."

Tracks 4, 5 and 8 -- "Letting Go," "Under an Endless Sky," and "New World" -- are decent songs, very pretty-sounding, but they lack something, they're not memorable. They won't stick in your head like the good ones will. And I do have to actually skip two tracks on this album -- the overly-poppy "Sunshine in Rain" (hard to believe other reviewers have singled out this track for high praise) and #10, the annoying "Over You." I skip those two every time.

That being said, this is still a strong album with five very-good to excellent songs on it. "Spinning" in particular is absolutely amazing. And I really like the instrumentation, especially Vic Levak's intriguing guitar. It stars here as much as the vocalists do.