POLLEN

One of the best debut's to come out of any band; and a virtually unknown band!! Pollen's certainly the most experimental to come out of Pulsar's discography. Super spacey, rocking in some parts (when needed), eerily beautiful, emotional vocals (many will have to grow accustomed to his strong French voice), but the strongest aspect of this album is the hypnotic effect. Pulsar drags you into their hauntingly beautiful world with its slow, powerful beat. Though repetitive after some time, it never grows tiresome.

Each song flows to the next, having an 'overall' feel, so explaining each song in detail wouldn't do this album justice. Think: a darker, heavier (in sound, not genre) Pink Floyd. For beginners to this abstract band, Pollen may not be the best starting point; perhaps The Strands of the Future (which is easily my favorite album from Pulsar).

One concerning aspect would be the repetitive tone throughout; if you want various styles and a ever-changing pace, this may not be for you. This should be the third stop after Halloween and The Strands of the Future because it's so abstract, as I could see many people being turned off by the overall tone. There's no epic build-up like The Strands, but that's not why you listen. Fans of King Crimson may find interest in Pollen, but for the average progger this shouldn't be your first stop.