Summary:The 11th full-length studio release for the rock band led by Debbie Harry features contributions from such artists as Laurie Anderson, The Gregory Brothers, Dev Hynes, Joan Jett, Sia, Dave Sitek, and Nick Valensi.
The sigh of relief provoked by Doom Or Destiny morphs into a mile-wide smile as Pollinator unfurls some of the most resonant music Blondie have recorded during their second phase.
Flexing their muscles as they stretch their creativity, on Pollinator Blondie might not be testing any limits or redefining any capabilities, but they make thinking inside the box sound pretty damn fun.
Deborah Harry's voice has rarely sounded better, perhaps energised by material worthy to stand alongside the group's brightest back pages. [Jun 2017, p.24]
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.
What Pollinator does confirm is that there’s plenty left in the tank from Harry and Stein; next time, they might better realise that surrounding yourself with bright young things can often be the same as surrounding yourselves with your fans--and that they might well try too hard to please you.
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.
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 theDebbie 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.…Expand
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 BlondieWOW, 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
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 PollinatorThis 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.…Collapse
Un álbum que aparece para recordarle, a quien esté interesado todavía, en la sencilla belleza del sonido pop/rock, apadrinado nada menos yUn 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.…Expand
This effortless creation of fun and tuneful songs, while lacking a bit of inventiveness, is full of the bliss and vitality that has madeThis 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…Expand
Best Blondie record from their reunion period (1999 - to the present). It avoids the generic, insipid production of the past few records. TheBest 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.…Expand
Blondie still can play, and Debbie still can sing. Why Debbie & Co decided to be DiscoWay 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
