[Cover photo credit to Jim Steinfeldt]
Power Pop band Pollen have shared their re-released sophomore album, Crescent, for the first time ever on vinyl, via Double Helix Records. Pollen originally hailed from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but later becoming a mainstay of Arizona’s music scene when they relocated to Mesa in 1995. They released four albums and two split records over their eight years together, including 1997’s ‘Peach Tree’ on Wind-up Records and 2000’s ‘Chip’ on Fueled By Ramen.
Speaking on Pollen’s sophomore record, Bob Hoag (drummer and songwriter) writes:
Crescent was my attempt to make a really interesting, challenging record. I wanted to make our Empire Strikes Back – darker, more complex, more emotional, more moving parts. I’m not sure that’s a formula for a successful rock record, but I was a very determined/stubborn person, and rarely did things the easy way. Bluette opened with a very upbeat instrumental – OK, then we’ll close this with an incredibly dark instrumental.
I really challenged myself with this songwriting and tried to make something very unique. I was also going through a lot of tough emotional stuff at the time, and it’s pretty much all there in the lyrics. Some of those lyrics are hard for me to listen to today, but at least it’s extremely honest and sincere, I guess. I felt very at odds with the world (a concept I am once again feeling profoundly in 2022, coincidentally).
Over the years, Pollen toured extensively with bands like The Ataris, Descendents, Less Than Jake, The Stereo, Armchair Martian, River City High, Suicide Machines, One Man Army, Cooter, Scrimmage Heroes, and Co-Ed. Pollen even played a show with Weezer, with just two bands on the bill.
Pollen was originally released on Grass Records in 1995, and the new release was Produced by Stephen Egerton (ALL, DESCENDENTS, FLAG) and Bob Hoag (THE FORMAT, DEAR AND THE HEADLIGHTS, THE ATARIS). Jason Livermore (THE BLASTING ROOM) and Bob Hoag have meticulously remastered ‘Crescent’ from the original mixes, finally bringing some never-before-heard clarity, power, and fidelity to this little-heard sophomore effort.
