Astronomy 2011

Balloon Astronomy were founded as a rock duo, clearly inspired by Jethro Tull, Strawbs, Anthony Phillips, Mike Oldfield, Supertramp, Renaissance, Cat Stevens, Elton John, and especially Genesis, in San Diego, California, by Jim Ledger (voices, bass, guitars) and Glenn Little (keyboards, flutes) in 2011. Balloon Astronomy's self titled debut album is a nice blend of singer/songwriter oriented material and symphonic art rock. The compositions are distinctly melodic throughout, and more often than not the moods and atmospheres explored easily justify a description as melancholic. An album for those with a taste for the gentler side of the art rock universe in general, and in particular those among them with an affection for frequent use of acoustic based, stripped down themes throughout an album.