Balloon Messenger - the anchor

Balloon Messenger

The Anchor
self-released; 2014

3.8 out of 5

By Ethan Skelton

Balloon Messenger is Mark Dally's baby - a successful venture into musical projects that touch on dance and electronica, but in a way that makes you go back to the 80’s for reasons of pop charts and video games. But that's just one side to his sound. He tends toward Beck at times and also moves into realms grounded by Gotye. Balloon Messenger hails from Bowling Green where he writes and records all of the music himself and then recruits friends to perform live when the opportunity rises. Mark Dally was originally a drummer, but went under the name Balloon Messenger in the summer of 2009 after he discovered his knack and passion for songwriting.

The album sounds like swimming in the skies on a calm morning. Lyrically, it's a game of sincerity and playfulness that balances in the end. Any listener can pick up the traces of early Coldplay and Radiohead that are tucked away beneath it all. "333" even has a Smashing Pumpkins feel to it. Balloon Messenger has a great style for his recording process. He lays down the music first and really seeps into the meaning and emotion behind it, before putting any words to paper. I feel that would be my approach as well because I hear the music before any lyrics really register. After a few listens the two marry and the song becomes even more of a gem, or takes a completely different turn depending on how I initially interpreted it.

"Yacht Pop" is an interesting song title, and looks great in writing. The song has potential but never really takes flight; the same could be said about "The Speed of Light.” They grow into powerful compositions that just miss the mark of intensity. My favorite track of this abridged work is "3 Dimensions.” I feel it finds the strength of the whole album and refines it into one perfect effort. The beat and keys lay down a peaceful blanket for the dreamy guitar to float upon, all the while the vocals mark the clouds with beauty and poignant melodic delivery, albeit saturated in effects. 

Balloon Messenger brings a great variety of mood and tone to his music and this example of The Anchor and review can't attribute to it all. Go out and experience his library of song, really appreciate all the levels and direction he can take you on.

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