The Canadian symphonic progressive scene is one that, unfortunately, has avoided CD reissue except for the occasional release such as Harmonium, Spirit Of Christmas, and the much harder to find Opus 5. This album was one of the first of the 70's CD reissues produced by the now defunct label Kozak and was a welcome choice at the time. Pollen are a quartet led by multi-instrumentalist Tom Rivest who plays bass, some guitar and often keyboards. In fact three out of four musicians double on keys - various analog synths, clavinet, piano, and others. Comparisons can be drawn to other effective dual-key groups - Corte dei Miracoli and Argentines Pablo "El Enterrador" act as decent pointers. Obviously much closer in style would be the inevitable influence of the Anglo-prog bands (Yes and Genesis in particular), the dynamics, melodies, and general feel are all remarkably familiar. As with bands like Sloche and Maneige, there is a strong, native French sound, similar to groups like Carpe Diem or Dun (or even more so to its Quebecois contemporaries) that gives it a distinctly European feel. I suppose original isn't the word to use, especially for 1976, yet this is definitely one of the better album in this vein. Many would call this a classic; I find the first side (especially tracks 2 and 3 on the disc) to be a little too laid back to give it that award. Regardless, this is essential music for the symphonic connoisseur; those looking for more originality might look elsewhere. I still have soft spots for albums like this.

(Originally published in Exposé #5, p. 33-4, Edited for Gnosis 4/23/01)