Pollinator
by Blondie
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 61 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 61
  3. Negative: 3 out of 61
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  1. Meximike
    May 6, 2017
    10
    WOW, this was a HUGE surprise for me. I am a huge Blondie and Deborah fan, but the last CD "Ghosts of Download" was my least favorite Blondie album. To be honest, I thought the Debbie's voice was not showcased on the last album because it was fading. Pollinator sure proved me wrong. The (still) incredible range of her voice shines on the track "When I Gave Up On You." One thing is forWOW, this was a HUGE surprise for me. I am a huge Blondie and Deborah fan, but the last CD "Ghosts of Download" was my least favorite Blondie album. To be honest, I thought the Debbie's voice was not showcased on the last album because it was fading. Pollinator sure proved me wrong. The (still) incredible range of her voice shines on the track "When I Gave Up On You." One thing is for sure, Deborah Harry is the coolest 71 year old on planet Earth. Blondie is the best pop-rock band in the world. The leave Rolling Stones, U2, Areosmith, and the hand full of other bands that have been together for 3 or more decades, in the dust. This album is cool and if you did not know anything about Blondie, it would still be cool. Not since Parrell Lines have Blondie put out an album that has this much pop-sensibility and synergy. I wish Blondie the best with this because they are the hardest working rock band in existence. Great job Blondie. You have one of the best drummers in rock history Clem Burke; the super intelligent conceptionalist, song writer and guitarist Chris Stein; the best guitarist alive Tommy Kessler (watch his YouTube videos, he plays Metallica and Van Halen guitar solos effortlessly and better than the originals), and of course, the living legend Deborah Harry. Great band, great album.i… Expand
  2. rmmateus
    May 5, 2017
    10
    This is Blondie's best album yet. Sure there's Parallel Lines and Eat to the Beat to think about, but there isn't a single track on Pollinator I would skip lightly, whereas on PL and ETTB there are two or three. Pollinator is so reminiscent of other Blondie. Doom or Destiny sounds like "screw everything, just rock on." Long Time, Gravity, Fun, Already Naked, and Best Day Ever show Debbie'sThis is Blondie's best album yet. Sure there's Parallel Lines and Eat to the Beat to think about, but there isn't a single track on Pollinator I would skip lightly, whereas on PL and ETTB there are two or three. Pollinator is so reminiscent of other Blondie. Doom or Destiny sounds like "screw everything, just rock on." Long Time, Gravity, Fun, Already Naked, and Best Day Ever show Debbie's awesome 71 year old voice. Fragments is possibly the best closing track on a Blondie album. This really couldn't be any better. Congrats, Blondie.… Expand
  3. CriticoDubioso
    May 24, 2017
    5
    Way too much Heart of Glass, not enough Dreaming.

    Blondie still can play, and Debbie still can sing. Why Debbie & Co decided to be Disco Blondie instead of Rock & Roll Blondie on this outing is anyone's guess. But most of this album incorporates that dreadful disco beat, and the band's punk rock roots are nowhere to be heard. Poor Clem Burke, still one of the best drummers in the    Way too much Heart of Glass, not enough Dreaming.

    Blondie still can play, and Debbie still can sing. Why Debbie & Co decided to be Disco Blondie instead of Rock & Roll Blondie on this outing is anyone's guess. But most of this album incorporates that dreadful disco beat, and the band's punk rock roots are nowhere to be heard.

    Poor Clem Burke, still one of the best drummers in the business, must be bored out of his mind playing Human Metronome while pumping out Pollinator's songs onstage.

    Ultimately, Pollinator is sad missed opportunity.    … Expand
  4. DavidWasHere
    Jul 29, 2017
    5
    It's a late career album. That's about as easy to say really. As much as I do love Blondie's past material in their hey day (Parallel Lines is one of my favorite albums ever), I was not all that impressed with this record sadly. A lot of the instrumentals and musicianship is as sharp as ever, and while Debbie clearly has aged with her vocals, they aren't too bad and can pass, at leastIt's a late career album. That's about as easy to say really. As much as I do love Blondie's past material in their hey day (Parallel Lines is one of my favorite albums ever), I was not all that impressed with this record sadly. A lot of the instrumentals and musicianship is as sharp as ever, and while Debbie clearly has aged with her vocals, they aren't too bad and can pass, at least because she does have some commanding power like she did back in the late 70s and early 80s (with the exception of When I Gave Up on You, she's just flat out awful!). Plus the new wave touches are nice. However what kills it is the production. The mixing and effects sounds awful on a lot of songs, like the opener with Joan Jett and the Fun. It doesn't really flatter the instruments when it's mixed to crap! Which is a shame because with better mixing the album would have been better. Still at least there's the track written by Dev Hynes, Long Time, and the one by Adam of yourmoviesucks.org, Fragments, that are worthwhile.… Expand
  5. Panchogul
    Aug 30, 2020
    10
    El mejor álbum de Blondie desde No Exit, digno de codearse con los clásicos de su discografía.
  6. CaseyWest
    May 5, 2017
    8
    Best Blondie record from their reunion period (1999 - to the present). It avoids the generic, insipid production of the past few records. The guitars are more upfront although they still take a backseat to the keyboards too often. Two of the best songs, the bonus tracks TONIGHT and THE BREAKS are not included in the basic record. LONG TIME is the highlight.
  7. Music_Observer
    Jun 8, 2017
    8
    This effortless creation of fun and tuneful songs, while lacking a bit of inventiveness, is full of the bliss and vitality that has made Blondie one of the most influential pop rock bands ever. My Score: 137/180 (Solid) = 7.6/10
  8. Orli_Aguilar
    Jun 8, 2017
    9
    Un álbum que aparece para recordarle, a quien esté interesado todavía, en la sencilla belleza del sonido pop/rock, apadrinado nada menos y nada más que de un clásico de todos los tiempos en este género en particular, Blondie y Deborah Harry, quienes entregan una placa elegantemente bien trabajada y con todo el profesionalismo y el alma de la vieja escuela. Blondie ha envejecido con gracia.
  9. MariellyDewa
    Dec 12, 2017
    10
    devia fazer uns 30 anos que o blondie não lançava algo tão bom quanto o pollinator. a voz da debbie esta bem diferente por conta da idade mas isso não foi um problema
  10. xicoszs
    May 12, 2021
    10
    Debbie and Chris are the best thing that happened in the world. I love pollinator, it gives me some nostalgia all these 4 years since the release. Blondie is forever, and no one can deny it.

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Most Discussed Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. Magnet
    May 18, 2017
    80
    The result is classic Blondie, the band's best album since it reunited--maybe its best ever. [No.142, p.53]
  2. Pitchfork
    May 11, 2017
    67
    Although it has its moments, the end result is predictably uneven. Blondie’s commitment to tense and jumpy pop remains, even though Harry’s voice is more grounded some four decades after the band’s debut.
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  3. Under The Radar
    May 9, 2017
    30
    There is zero expectation for Blondie to create Parallel Lines 2.0. That would require an actual miracle. Pollinator, however, is too removed from oh so many things that made Blondie great to be acceptable.
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