POLLEN

Pollen's only album is certainly highly rated among connoisseur progheads, a the album is sort of a one of a kind in Quebec at the time, except maybe Morse Code's three mid-70's album: clearly based upon Genesis, but not solely either, since some guitar parts will invariably make you think of Steve Howe. Personally this writer still experience difficulties calling this album exceptional: it does have undeniable qualities, but it is definitely too derivative of their main influences (including Morse Code). Actually listening to this album and Eden's(another Quebec symphonic group that released only one album), I get the uncomfortable feeling, that they are a diect link to the future (and yet unborn) neo-prog.

Aside from those aesthetics issues, it is hard to resist this album, which does reflect almost everything one loves in symphonic rock, from lovely ambiances to dramatic development and great lyrical content. About them lyrics, you should know that Lemay's French vocals are sounding like Quebecois (much the same way Morse Code or Harmonium) but they are easy to understand. This album is conceptual with one side called Sun and the other Moon (in French of course), but I miss the link to the (rather ugly) singular artwork. Clearly the cornerstone of the album is the 10-min+ closer with the full dramatics deployed to wrap up the album in a grandiose way. This album had received a mid-90's release on the tiny Kozak label (along with two of Maneige and both Conventum albums) and now all five are receiving another re-issue on the ProgQuebec label. Still a little too derivative to my tastes, Pollen is a sure hit for you if evident influences do not stop you from enjoying the album!