JACQUES TOM RIVEST

For some reason, Pollen never managed to release a second album, but the story goes that some songs were already written for it. These tracks eventually found a release through Rivest's first solo album (there is second in the early 80's) and it is very worthy of Pollen fans. Clearly the tracks on this album are reminiscent of the group, even if they have been arranged by Rivest for his own use. But I would not call this album a normal Chanson Française album with its cast iof guest and session musicians. The musos playing for Rivest act much more as group than just merely accompanying him in a showcase for the singer.

Don't get me wrong, as the album's ugly sleeve indicates, Rivest is the star of the album, but tat cover is also a bit misleading: the Dimanche single artwork sleeve (printed in the ProgQuebec reissue) was much nicer and reflected better the general trippy feeling of the record's A-side. The first side is definitely the better one with some thoughtful songwriting (the poignant Langue De Son Pays) and an invitation to triply rendezvous (the almost 8-min Voyage Au Tibet with its Buddhist music in intro and outro).

The second side is a bit less interesting but is also wider in spectrum with some cool lead guitar on the outro of Messager Du Temps. The ProgQuebec re-issue comes with the B-side of the afore-mentioned track as a bonus and if not warned, you'd never guess it was a non-album track before as it blends with the album beautifully.

Although not quite as good as pollen's album, this solo album is definitely worth a spin for all those Pollen fans even if it is not essential and it will not cure your ache for a second album from the quartet.