Balligomingo - Beneath the Surface (12 tracks) +Album Reviews

Finally - Balligomingo is here!

Clarissa | Ontario, California | 06/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

The most hidden gem in music history

Erik Cobbett | Portland, OR | 06/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

"FEELS LIKE I'M FLOATING THROUGH OPEN AIR..."

Soaring Heart | 08/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"

Sweet allure

Erica Anderson | Minneapolis, MN | 07/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

A very impressive debut

Za'chary Westbrook | Salem, OR | 10/14/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

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