Beneath the Surface

Balligomingo

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 11, 2002)
• Original Release Date: June 11, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Windham Hill Records
• ASIN: B000067NW0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #88,790 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Fans of the celestial sounds of Enya and the lush trip-hop beats of Delerium and Enigma will love Balligomingo. Contrary to its Eastern-sounding name, Balligomingo is the baby of one Garrett Schwartz, a keyboardist-programmer who collaborated with a variety of musicians for Beneath The Surface. Though purely a U.S. and Canadian affair, the music does create an ethereal air of mystery and tension not unlike that of Asian underground pioneer Nitin Sawhney's recent Prophesy (though Balligomingo is far less profound). The buoyant, atmospheric tracks of Surface include various female vocalists who extend the songs' allure, a live band treated to sound like sweet computer rhythms, and a 15-piece orchestra. Most of the songs flow together, sustaining the album's dream sequence mood like a long summer rain. Occasionally, the vocals border on teen-pop, but mostly they blend into the foreground, helping to advance Balligomingo's lush world-beat-and-tone poetry muse. --Ken Micallef

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 48 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 (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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 (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most hidden gem in music history, June 14, 2002

By	Erik Cobbett (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

I do not understand how an album of this magnitude can go so entirely unnoticed in the music world. But then again, Delerium's Poem would have fallen throught the cracks as well if not for the publicity Sarah maclachlan brought with it. it is a sad world we live in knowing ... artists like britney spears, eminem, and creed make millions and absorb all the spotlight, while envelope pushing, sonically in touch artists like balligomingo, delerium, and massive attack have no business on the radiowaves. This album is so tight, you will have a very hard time going a day without listening to at least one song. The lyrics and vocals are deeper than deep and the bass rich rythms drive each song right into your soul. The only act to hold a candle to the rich sounds of balligomingo would be any of the many associated with Bill Leeb, who by the way, had a little to do with this CD. Listen, enjoy, and prepare to leave the planet. Peace.