K's Choice have not tried to pursue a new \"Not an addict\" on their 4th album \"Almost Happy\". That was what they were attempting too obviously on \"Cocoon Crash\", which made that in my opinion a rather strained album. On \"Almost Happy\" K's Choice are calmer than ever, level-headed but also a bit sad & tired, and with that closer to their essence than ever before.
The merchants in the temple of their record label and the half-deaf zealots of the rockpress will not accept the fact thankfully, but K's Choice have always been more of a folk group than a spearhead of alternative rock, a label which got stuck on them after the excellent American \"Not an addict\" adventure. Not after \"Almost Happy\", no more.
Of the 13 songs (the track \"intro\" is a children's verse sung by a very minor Sarah, dug up from an old K7 of the neighbours, but there is a 13th track after \"all\"), there are only three which left me totally cold (\"Tired\", \"My Head\" en \"Somewhere\").
Much of the rest are pearls: \"Another Year\" is an opener that sets the tone for the entire album, and seems to float on a light feeling of weariness. \"The light you were, will soon become a blur, as you're living through another year. Oh what a waste of time it is, to indulge inside of bliss, getting ready for another year like this\" it goes, but if that is about their existence as a rock band, I can't tell. \"Live For Real\" is about a mellow sentiment (with you I might get there, with you I might start to feel, with you I will live for real), but it sounds absolutely honest and makes for goose pimples n?1. In \"Home\" Sarah comes crawling under the blanket like a purring kitty, telling about her childhood. In \"Almost Everywhere\" the theme is also a little bit corny, but this text about \"mama\" and growing up sure hits the target, chill factor n?2. The singles \"Almost Happy\" and \"Busy\" raise the tempo a little, and do that well but not inevitable. Closing track \"All\" floats on a wonderful melody, and is followed by \"already there\", on which Sarah & Gert end up with a still Irish folktune ? la Sarah McLachlan.
A strange exception amidst all this is \"Shadowman\", a track that reminds too much of Marillion to be good. It is sung by Gert, and at first makes you think he too can sing, until you realise that most of the vocals are a fusion of the voices of brother & sister. The track survives despite the bombast and even makes a welcome diversion from the sometime monotous production that seems to shine by it's abscence.
K's Choice have made a CD that had the effect on me of a radiator next to a comfy chair while the wind is wailing in the chimney. It didn't make me happy, it made me warm.
