Diandra Reviews It All - Pollens Are The Brooklyn B-52's

Sometimes, I think the only difference between a crazy person and a genius is willpower. Crazy people lose their conscious, and let their want eat them away because they cannot make it into will. Meanwhile, a genius transfers their insane ambition and dreams into reality. I thought this as I watched the charmed lunacy of Pollens.

“I wish I could take the J train everywhere” and “I used to like the 1960’s, but now I only like Halloween” are not quotes anyone has ever said, but they are lyrics to Pollens’ tracks. This duo adds camp to depression, and creates tracks for those feeling deranged by routine work and dead inside from unrequited dreams a.k.a 50% of New York. This city attracts people all around the world with the idea of “If you can make it here then you can anywhere!”, but nobody ever questions what “making it” means and Pollens do not either. Instead, their songs are woven soundbites with lyrics that are as patched together as a glorious scrapbook. Their DIY, lo-fi infuse arts and craft sound is enrapturing because they are openly and happily crazy.

Who sings random words over bopping synths and analogs and do robotic, body movements? POLLENS! They are the B-52’s of Brooklyn, and frankly I love their delicious ridiculousness. Made up Jeff Aaron Bryant and Elizabeth May, the duo highly annunciate nonsensical verses to show how so much of how wild life can feel without value or thought. Samplers, noise, persuasive bashing, ecstatic readings of boring lists, stupid dance beats, telephone transmissions, and full-on theatricality are used to convert this duo into the live-action, Sesame Street of Adulting. They both intelligently and mystifying play to vapid life can be when you are twenty and trying, but what else can you do?

Both physically and vocally, Pollens treat performance like a jazzercise video. Doing lunges and saying lyrics like they are cheering at a high-school game; even taking water-breaks. The result is a 30 minute show that is exhilarating, fun, and strange enough to leave you talking and remembering them. An ironic twist for a duo make summery, city jams for how forgettable life can feel. For More Information on Pollens Click Here.