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Review Summary: This is another obscure album from the prog rock scene of the 70’s. It represents another example of the quality and independence of the prog rock scene of Québec. “Pollen” is the eponymous debut and only album of the Canadian progressive rock group Pollen and was released in 1976. The line up on the album is Jacques Tom Rivest, Richard Lemoyne, Claude Lemay, and Sylvain Coutu.
In 1972, Tom Rivest and Lemoyne decided to form a progressive rock group. The band’s name came by chance when, in the kitchen of the house where they lived together, the musicians spotted a jar of flower pollen. In 1973, Pollen gave their first live performance at Cégep, Maisonneuve. The group’s concerts featured sophisticated light shows, visual elements and scenic effects of rare beauty. In 1974, Pollen made the tour of Québec with Gentle Giant. During 1975, Pollen continued performing to sell out shows at several venues like Cinéma Outremont, L’Évêché and Café Campus.
In 1976, Pollen released their self titled debut album, containing some of the best and most impressive progressive rock music in North America. One can say that Pollen was one of Québec’s biggest progressive acts in the mid 70’s, with Harmonium and Maneige. But their music is much purely rooted in the symphonic genre than their countrymen, whose music is more folk-oriented, Harmonium, or more fusion, Maneige. The band married tight musicianship and dazzling special effects and could be perceived as Québec’s most symphonic contribution to the world of progressive rock. The album was launched during a show at the Grand Théatre de Québec where Pollen shared the headline act with Caravan.
Unfortunately, the group split-up towards the end of 1976 as the music industry was rapidly changing. So, this eponymous album is the only living testament to this line up, under the Pollen’s name, and represents one of the brightest jewels in the Québecois progressive crown. When I’m saying that “Pollen” is the only album of the band is really true. However, Tom Rivest released in 1979 his solo eponymous debut and only album with his ex-band mates, Lemoyne and Lemay. For some reason, Pollen never managed to release a second album, but the story somehow continued with the release of that solo album because some songs were already written for the second band’s album.
“Pollen” contains a sophisticated and beautiful progressive music that will delight fans of Ange, Harmonium, and Genesis. The lyrics are in French and cover such diverse topics as urbanization, Catholicism, life from other planets and our own existence after death. Musically, the album is very well performed with lush progressive rock that shines with analogue keyboards, great guitar working and varied percussion. Flutes and vibes also add nice touches to the good melodies. Arrangements are complex and interesting, and the mood of the music is fairly upbeat. Interesting is that Pollen planned to use two keyboardists, but one of them, Serge Locat was already committed to join Harmonium.
About the tracks, “Vieux Corps De Vie D’Ange” opens the album with a quite weird theme that wouldn’t be out of place on IL Balletto Di Bronzo’s “Ys”. Anyway, Pollen’s music is far more harmonic and melodic. This part doesn’t last for long either, as the track quickly transforms into a complex piece that alternates between vocal and instrumental passages before it all starts to build slowly up to a very beautiful and powerful finale with lots of swirling keyboards and bassist Tom Rivest’s emotional vocals. This is for me easily one of the highlights of the album. “Étoile” is tasteful and soft symphonic progressive rock in the vein of classic Premiata Forneria Marconi. However, Pollen cleverly avoided sounding like the band they obviously were inspired by. The acoustic and pretty ballad “L’Indien” has some slight similarities to the other excellent progressive band from Québec, Harmonium. The track is not entirely acoustic either, as it also features a dreamy keyboard passage. The second side seems to be slightly more upbeat, and kicks right off with the short and catchy “Tout L’Temps” that is based around a quite intricate keyboard theme. “Vivre La Mort” starts as an organ driven progressive rocker that midway transforms into a dramatic instrumental piece. “La Femme Aileé” is with its 10 minutes the lengthiest track on the album. It opens with an acoustic part with some beautiful whistling synthesizers, but picks gradually up pace and ends in the most impressive, intense and complex instrumental section of the entire album. Here the band really showed they equalled, even the best, of any other 70’s progressive rock group.
Conclusion: Pollen’s self titled debut is for several reasons one of the best introductions to Québec’s prosperous progressive rock scene of the mid late of the 70’s. The most obvious reason is simply because their music will fit the taste to almost everyone into classic 70’s symphonic progressive rock music. A great mark of the group is that all the members of the band were obviously multi-instrumentalists who beside their main instruments also handled flute, keyboards and vibes. So, Pollen is another example of the quality and independence of progressive scene of Québec. For lovers of the classic progressive rock music of the 70’s this album is surely for them. So, enjoy it, if you want.
Music was my first love.
John Miles (Rebel)
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Album Rating: 4.0
So, here it is another truly obscure prog rock album from the 70's. As with Pentacle's album of the last week, it has also lyrics in "la langue de Molière et Balzac". But this time, this isn't properly a French album. This is a Canadian album from Québec, really. I'm also convinced that it's pratically unknown here despite it was already on Sputnik, a long time, according with so few ratings.
I hope you enjoy it too, as I do. This is also special indicated for lovers of Genesis and for those who like to hear French language on a rock album, especially our Canadian friends from Québec.
As usual your comments are welcome.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@ Jethro
As you can see, this album seems to be perfect for you. An album from a band of your loved Québec. Here it is my my special surprise for you. Still, I must confess that I'm very surprised that you never rated this album yet. As a man so very well informed about prog rock music, especially about bands from your home, I'm a bit surprised. Anyway, you'll see this is a great album from a great band. I'm sure you'll like it.
"Have you considered covering some Galahad?"
Of course. But it will be for another time. I intende to do some reviews about some of the best albums of the neo-prog genre, a genre so few known here. I've already three albums almost ready to be put here. Three of the most important albums of three of the best neo-prog acts. At time I'll do it. But before, I've some other things to published before, I think.
By the way, I saw your rating of Pentacle right now. Nice rating man. Once more we surf the same wave.
Cheers, dude.
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I have a pollen allergy
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I know that band/album (not exactly by heart though), but I couldn't say why I haven't rated it yet. I think I simply forgot it. It happens when you want to relisten to an album before rating it.
I'm specially familiar with ''L'Étoile'' and L'Indien'' above all cos of the lyrics, one of which is naming la rue Ontario, a main street in downtown of Montréal. I must confess that I don't know that band as much as other important Québec prog bands such as Maneige, Harmonium, Morse Code, Octobre, Et Cetera (Qc) and Sloche...
In Pollen, I can hear some Morse Code, another symphonic prog band centered around the keyboards. I insist once again on you to listen to ''La Marche Des Hommes''. It's still better for me.
Excellent review, mate, and thanks for your surprise, cos it is one. It makes me remember about a great and obscure prog album from my hometown!...
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@ Doofus
Me too, but not of this kind of pollen.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Thanks, Jethro. I really need to check out '' La Marche Des Hommes ''. There are really great obscure prog albums, actually.
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Have a pos, meanwhile I'm waiting for my Pentacle CD to arrive
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Thanks Sabrutin.
"meanwhile I'm waiting for my Pentacle CD to arrive"
Great decision, dude. My compliments.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
''Naufrage'' from La Clef Des Songes is such a good song. Too bad it just ends abruptely in the middle of an instrumental break. I really love ''Complot'' too.
Pollen is a good album, varying between adventurous and accessible. Interesting and audacious instrumental parts throughout, but it doesn't always fit with the structures and the vocal lines, as if both were sometimes disconnected from one to another. I mean, music structures, extensive solos and vocals could be more harmonious together. Or at least, something is missing to the song writing department, not sure what.
The lyrics are not too profound. They are mostly related to dream and surreal. Nothing too concrete. The words don't go anywhere at places. Minor flaw of course. These guys have their own sound and they are quite original. I have to give it another spin for sure. At least a 4 from me, despite my critics ;)
In my book, keyboardist Serge Locas took the good decision to get involved with Harmonium instead of Pollen. Harmonium sounds more serious and their music is charged with emotion and is more heartfelt.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
"'Naufrage' from La Clef Des Songes is such a good song. Too bad it just ends abruptly in the middle of an instrumental break."
I Agree with both things. My favourite songs are "La Clef Des Songes", "Naufrage", "Complot" and especially "Le Raconteur".
About the musical structure of "Pollen" I didn't saw the same as you. I don't see ant kind of incoherence on it. I continue seeying an excellent album and very homogenous, a genuine 70's old-school prog album with nearly all elements, great musicianship, superb composition wchich a great prog album must have. It has also some serious melancholic overtones along with some wonderful melodies, of which I particularly like.
About the lyrics, I can agree with you, they're not very profound, indeed. But a prog album doesn't to have obligatory profound kyrics, as yoou know. However, I don't discuss with you the quality of the lyrics because they're in French and you are a native of that language. I don't dare to do such kind of thing, my friend.
About the rating, certainly the album deserves at least a 4, I completely agree.
About the comparison between Harmonium abd Pollen, I think you are right too. Their music is more charged with emotion.Anyway, from the information I read on the booklet of the album, the decision of Locat wasn't a complete option of him. I think when he was contacted, he was already committed to join Harmonium. So, he only fulfilled his commitments.
Cheers, dude.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I agree with everything that you're saying about Pentacle and about the qualities of Pollen.
With more listens, all the pieces fit a lot more in the puzzle. However I still have the impression that something bugs me about some mix between the vocal lines and some instrumental breaks. I sometimes find that vocals don't have much room to express and to breathe freely through all that compact, ambitious and busy instrumental parts. The latters become often noisy and all over the place compared to the vocals (mainly the last two songs). My issue is that I don't always see the connection between the quiet, transparent vocal lines and the rough, relentless instrumental escapades. Maybe it's just me. It's hard for me to explain what's in my mind about it. In short, music arrangements don't always fit together imo.
Album remains solid. I just wish they would've done couple of strictly instrumental tracks to give a chance to the singer to express himself in his own way a bit more (like it's the case for both ''L'Étoile'' and ''L'Indien'').
I'm almost ready to rate it. I really enjoy that you covered a band from my hometown. I was pleasantly surprised!
And thanks for the info about Serge Locat. He's a keyboardist in demand for numerous artists here in Québec.
Cheers mate.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Another great review of a great album. Another album with French lyrics, nice. This is a strange thing on Sput. Still, this is a great choice too. Another forgotten pearl of the 70's. However, it's a pity so few comments. But it is a usuaul thing, here. Continue your great job. Have a pos.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@TheIntruder; To gain more visitors, it's easier when you cover better known bands.
It's the case here; nobody knows of that obscure band here and nobody doesn't really bother to check it out.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@ Jethro
"Album remains solid. I just wish they would've done couple of strictly instrumental tracks to give a chance to the singer to express himself in his own way a bit more (like it's the case for both ''L'Étoile'' and ''L'Indien'')."
Maybe you're right, my friend. But I think, overall, it remains an excellent prog musical proposal, as you said.
"I'm almost ready to rate it."
I can see, right now, that you gave to it the same rating of "La Clef des Songes". It's fair. I agree with your decision of gave the same rating of both albums, as I did. I must say that I myself hesitated between 4.0 and 4.5. However, as a matter of coherence with the rating of my next review, I decided 4.5.
"I really enjoy that you covered a band from my hometown. I was pleasantly surprised!"
Yes, I'll bet that you was pleasantly surprised, especially because it wasn't covered yet. However, I only do what I like, which is, review albums that I love, no matter from where the country they were come from and no matter the lyrics used on them.
"And thanks for the info about Serge Locat. He's a keyboardist in demand for numerous artists here in Québec."
I don't knew that but I'm not surprised. However, if you want to know more things about your countrymen artists who participated on "Pollen", What they did next, I can transcribe to you the information on the booklet of the album:
"- Rivest realesed his first solo album, featuring Pollen's original line up. He continued his career becoming Joe Bocan's musical director, winner of a Felix award for best performance of the year. Rivest also penned many songs, such as "Les Fammes Voilées", which became a huge hit, and composed soundtracks for theater, film and television. Coutu formed part of a jazz group Uzeb's original line up, while Lemoyne was musical director for Richard Séguin and other well lnown artists. "Mego" Lemay became Celine Dion's keyboardist and is currently her musical director. -"
As you can see, the boys don't stop working on music. I hope this information can be of any value for you.
As usual, I wrote to much again.
Cheers, mate.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@ Intruder
Thanks, man.
"Another forgotten pearl of the 70's. However, it's a pity so few comments. But it is a usuaul thing, here."
It's true, but I'm used to it already. As I wrote before in other comments. If this was an album of Pink Floyd of Porcupine Tree for instance (nothing against those bands, I love both), I would probably have dozen of comments and lots of pos and negs. It's much more easy to talk about something we know already or about a new album's release than a forgotten album, even if it is a real gem. The things are what they are.
Cheers dude and thanks for your support.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
@Jethro
Yeah, but this wasn't our case surely. But I agree and as e.21 said:
"It's much more easy to talk about something we know already or about a new album's release than a forgotten album, even if it is a real gem. The things are what they are."
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Yeah, I agree... Also there are many people who are not interested in commenting on an album that has very few ratings. Like e21 said, it's no Pink Floyd or Porcupine Tree.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@e21, I think it's a common thing that in time, a chain is forming from different group of artists (like a family) in order to keep the show business alive and kicking. Québec contains, like any other country, an important musician base where artists are often solidary to one another, and they use to share different contracts.
I know all the artists you mentioned above. I used to listen to UZEB, an important jazz fusion formation who were pretty busy through the 80's. Richard Séguin made a brillant prog solo album with Harmonium's frontman Serge Fiori and some Harmonium's bandmates. Album is called ''Deux Cent Nuits à L'Heure''. It is a masterpiece and is here into the database under the band Fiori-Seguin.
Joe Bocan is a pop singer of the 80's. She doesn't do cds anymore, but maybe she's still in the show business somewhere. Céline Dion is an international diva as you probably know. I don't dig her repertory though. Many artists write songs for her.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I didn't know about those things, Jethro, except Céline Dion, of course. After all, it seems that my information is much more useful to me than to you. It seems also that I need to check ''Deux Cent Nuits à L'Heure'. An album with such kind of artists and due to the high ratings here, certainly deserves to be known.
Thanks, dude.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Yeah, I forgot to tell you that Richard Seguin is a prolific folk singer songwriter here in Québec. He is much appreciated here.
Also, before trying Deux Cent Nuits à L'Heure, I'd try you know which one...That's right, Morse Code (haha) which is downright symphonic prog. Fiori-Seguin is quite varied. It has prog that would fit in any Harmonium albums, but it also flirts with folk rock.
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