Based on hearing this 4-track demo, Pollen could be something quite special and should be reconnoitred at your earliest convenience.
A four-piece from Manchester their sound is built around the classic line-up of guitar, bass and drums but already they’re producing a noise that invigorates its well-worked arrangement. The significant factor is that even in these early days they’re already harnessing an epic line in melody that raises their power-pop head and shoulders above many other chancers in the field.
‘Here Goes Nothing’ hurtles at you like a pitbull (think the start of Supergrass’ ‘Richard III’) before the restraint of the lead pulls back for the opening verse and our first bite of the bruised sweetness that is Nick Toone’s vocals. All this rush of blood rises towards the compelling chorus that reintroduces us to the pitbull but keeps him wrapped in a velvet jacket. Great ending.
‘Half As Good’ halves the pace and softens the voice with Nick carrying an Elbow verse to a Radiohead chorus and a rousing stop/start bridge. ‘Spitting Feathers’ is a fine little Indie pop tune, replete with a big and bouncy jangling chorus and some great “ooh aah ooh” harmonies; maybe needs a little pruning but its effective and catchy nonetheless. Last track “Leech” is a swirling Muse/Radiohead epic that doesn’t quite come off with Nick’s voice sounding a bit thin at times and much of that line in melody eluding them. A good resounding ending gives it some much needed oomph but it’s a shame there wasn’t something stronger preceding it.
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I’d like to see them develop their sound along the lines of ‘Here Goes Nothing’ and ‘Spitting Feathers’ as it showcases their dexterity at playing big music without the bombast and their knack at writing a thumping good pop tune.
www.pollenmusic.com
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