Title:Cocoon Crash By: K's Choice Released by: 550 Released on: 1998 Rating (out of 10): 7 Date: 06/29/2001
How To Deal With a One-Hit Wonder Follow-up
The most intimate moment to grace alternative radio in late 1996/1997 was the gentle a cappella croon of K's Choice lead vocalist, Sarah Bettens, in the introduction to "Not An Addict."
It was meaningful, and though the song wasn't a success for its social awareness, it brought a reality to music that was missing amongst the plastic "Semi-Charmed Life"s dominating the market. It worked as a strong, socially-conscious song.
Of course, K's Choice was destined to fade into near-obscurity, "one-hit wonder" status. But no hits and a Lilith Fair later, Cocoon Crash (the Belgian band's third release) maintains the intimacy and edge that made "Not An Addict" such an oasis in the Oasis-filled desert of fading "alternative" mediocrity.
The most successful elements of Cocoon Crash are the quiet tracks. When K's Choice attempts to rock out, the songs are pleasant but mediocre—too far from the charming style that made my introduction to K's Choice so refreshing.
The crunchy-pop sound of "Everything For Free," and "Too Many Happy Faces," are would-be hits on alternative radio, but they don't stand out. They're catchy, but not as successful as "Not An Addict."
It isn't really fair to judge a band on one hit song, and K's Choice seems to accept that they may not match that one song's success again. Though "Butterflies Instead" follows the same progression and structure as the aforementioned hit tune, it is only a pleasing (yet somehow forgettable) song.
Then the band quiets it down a bit. The mid-tempo songs like "If You're Not Scared" are the most beautiful. This one starts off with an eastern-influenced sound and breaks into familiar territory with emotional guitar-pop. The strong emotional element, mixed with the band's usual positive outlook, is what separates K's Choice from their competitors.
While there are no single moments of intimacy like the opening of "Not An Addict," the feeling of closeness remains throughout Cocoon Crash in various forms. The intimacy of "Winners" and "Quiet Little Place" are the true gems of this album. They are acoustic numbers, with Bettens' fragile-yet-confident voice leading, that build up to simple snare/bass drives, slow back down, and become nearly silent. I am reluctant to make the inevitable Indigo Girls comparison, because K's Choice is ultimately deeper and more fulfilling than any Indigo Girls' work. The vocals on the acoustic tracks are similar, however.
Again, the positive lyrics and sad sound against guitar alt-pop is an overused formula. I am often bored with this genre, as it rarely produces worthwhile music. However, the bands who can pull it off produce both the most emotional and beautiful pop music available.
K's Choice is one of these few bands. This album isn't without its faults, for the pompously ambiguous metaphors such as the title track are scattered throughout the album, and some tracks try too hard to sound "alternative" and are just boring. The emotional intimacy of "Quiet Little Place" and the power and emotional strength of "Believe" redeem the album from any pretense or mediocrity.
They will probably never again have the mainstream Stateside success that they've already experienced, and they probably realize they need to move on. They do attempt to recreate the same radio-friendly atmosphere but succeed most when they stick to being themselves. This album proves that although there are many emotionally successful sides to K's Choice, they are first and foremost masters of guitar pop.
