lambchops's Full Review: Cocoon Crash by K's Choice
While I would like to say that I stumbled on K’s Choice randomly in a dark, smoky record store that is by no means the truth. The first time I heard the Belgian band was some time in the mid 1990s thanks to Canadian radio and the hypnotic song Not an Addict. I’ve since purchased three albums from the band (including two studio releases and one greatest hits compilation) and have yet to hear a song quite as excellent as that one, but still I remain reasonably impressed by the band’s music.
The sister and brother team of Sarah and Gert Bettens are musically diverse and uniquely talented. Sarah possesses a smoky, harsh voice that works nicely over the guitar-heavy pop. One listen to K’s Choice and you’ll realize where their strength lies. It’s in Sarah’s voice and in the melody. Without those elements I wouldn’t be in the least bit interested in any of their music. As it stands, I do admit to not always being pleased with the songs. It’s rare that one is awful, but often I find them to be mediocre. Fortunately, K’s Choice always pulls it all together for a few outstanding songs. They did it particularly well on 1996’s Paradise in Me and managed a similar feat on 1998’s Cocoon Crash.
Cocoon Crash is the Bettens’ third album and probably their most disappointing. Following the surprising (and refreshing) success of Paradise in Me people were looking for the band to really blossom and prove once and for all that they had direction, intention, and talent. Cocoon Crash only barely stepped into this uncharted territory. The two apparently set out to prove their music diversity on this album, strangely enough this hurts the overall consistency. Suddenly, I’m left wondering who is K’s Choice? Are they folk? Pop? Grunge? Based solely on Cocoon Crash it is difficult to tell even if one truth shines through—they are talented.
The best tracks here are easily album opener Believe, Everything for Free, Now is Mine and Hide. The common thread between these three songs is that they aren’t overly adventurous. Unlike some of the more troubling songs which include outlandish Middle Eastern musical ideas among other things, these are simple and forceful pop-rock songs. I love K’s Choice when they aren’t trying too hard. Their music is best when it’s untainted by pretension. Believe is an outstanding introduction. It features the same stunning percussion and a similarly hypnotic melody to Not an Addict. The topic isn’t nearly as heavy and Sarah’s voice doesn’t crack as frequently, but I still feel the urgency that first attracted me to the band. Everything for Free continues in a similar vein, though the guitars are punched up a notch. It fits neatly into the amorphous “post-grunge” category but still I believe that the vocals are what make this song something special.
As much as I’m attracted to those two songs, I can’t help but really fall in love with Now is Mine which juxtaposes an acoustic guitar with a cello and violin. It’s a beautiful and unusual arrangement which certainly was the intent. This is really the only time where K’s Choice completely succeeds in being completely musically free on Cocoon Crash. Hit repeat—this song is worth it. The fourth and last really outstanding song is Hide. The other three tracks are clustered in the beginning while this one is hidden toward the end. To get there you have to skip through too many sugary-sweet, mid-tempo songs and boring no-personality ditties. Hide features heavy bass drum and a winding, evocative melody. I love the fact that K’s Choice makes me feel. The words aren’t nearly as important as the sound the band creates.
I hate to barely touch on most of the songs on this album, but there is a bit too much mediocrity for my taste. I really wish K’s Choice was completely dynamic and that their music didn’t blend together. As it is, I’m annoyed by the lack of variety but I’m outright perturbed by the references to stuffed animals in Butterflies Instead and the blatant overuse of a sitar in If Your Not Scared. As little as I enjoy those songs, what really bothers me most is how bland most of these songs are. They lack the spark that makes the Bettens so special when everything comes together. From Cocoon Crash to 20,000 Seconds and from Freestyle to God In My Bed I’m generally unimpressed.
In the end, Cocoon Crash is an average quality album. K’s Choice is hit and miss on this album (and on others) but when they are good they are truly amazing. There are a few of those moments on this album, but for most people I’d think the 2004 greatest hits album (known simply as 10) would suffice.
Rating: 3/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Believe
02. In Your Room
03. Everything For Free
04. Now Is Mine
05. Butterflies Instead
06. If Your Not Scared
07. 20,000 Seconds
08. Too Many Happy Faces
09. Cocoon Crash
10. Hide
11. Freestyle
12. Quiet Little Place
13. God In My Bed
14. Winners
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