Customer Reviews

Almost Happy

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Almost Happy" is K's Choice 4th studio album, which was issued in Fall 1999 in Europe, but remained off the US market, until now. K's Choice following in the US has dimished from the glory days of "Not An Addict" in the mid-90s, but its musical qualities cannot be doubted.

"Almost Happy" finds Sarah and Gert Bettens in fine form. Sounding relaxed and unhurried, the songs are mostly reflective in nature. The opening track (and first single) is the uptempo "Another Year", which leads into other outstanding tunes like the title track (also a single), "My Head", "Somehwere" and later on "Busy" (also a single).

The US edition of the album comes with an extra live disc, which essentially pulls the best tracks of the double "Live" CD that was issued in Europe last December. It is a veritable "Greatest Hits Live" CD, covering all of their best known songs, including of course Not An Addict, but also Mr. Freeze, Cocoon Crash, Breakfast, Winter, If You're Not Scared, Everything For Free, Believe, Hide, and others. Except for "My Head" (the single currently out in Europe), there is no overlap among the studio and the live tracks.

Finally, please note that the cover work for the US Edition of "Almost Happy" is completely different from the European version. This is only fitting, to reflect the generous extra live CD. Belgium's best band shines on both the sudio and the live set. I hope they can find a spot on US radios again!

By far the sheer songwriting talent of this band surpasses anything that's coming from the American pop-rock scene, and if you doubt it, sample of a few of their songs. Ranging from raucous to whisper, this band can cover more emotions in one CD than most bands cover in five, if ever.

The latest CD, Almost Happy, has been out in Europe for nearly a year, and it was through Amazon Germany that I was able to have it shipped to the US after seeing their video on Belgian TV during a trip there. One listen was all it took, after which I needed to have everything they ever recorded.

A group of Belgian artists, K's Choice guitarist Gert Bettens, who formed the group as the Choice with his sister Sarah (vocals, rhythm guitar), have been professional musicians since the late '80s and once played in a band called the Basement Plugs. Sarah also released a solo single under the name Sara Beth.

After the single's release, Double T Music offered Sarah a contract; a trial session with Gert on guitar convinced the company to sign the two as a band, which was named the Choice. The Great Subconscious Club, the Choice's first LP, was issued in Belgium in 1993. The band's visibility was heightened considerably by Sarah's duet with Scots R&B singer Frankie Miller on Ry Cooder's "Why Don't You Try Me" (featured on the soundtrack to a Belgian movie).

The Choice began touring with bands such as Morphine and the Indigo Girls in other European countries and, later, in the States. The group eventually changed its name to K's Choice after a U.S. band named the Choice claimed the rights to the moniker. The "K" signified Jozef K, the protagonist in Kafka's book "The Trial."

In 1995, K's Choice released Paradise In Me, a guitar-based, hard-edged effort featuring axeman Jan Van Sichem Jr. The LP and the single "Not an Addict" topped the Belgian charts. By playing European music festivals, K's Choice attracted the attention of Alanis Morissette, who asked the group to join her U.S. tour. K's Choice then opened for the Verve Pipe and Tonic.

After K's Choice showcased its thoughtful, melodic pop-rock on one 1997 Lilith Fair date, Paradise In Me went to #1 on the Billboard "Heatseekers" chart and "Not an Addict" became a top-5 Modern Rock Track. Foo Fighters producer Gil Norton helmed K's Choice's Cocoon Crash, including the single "Everything for Free"

With Almost Happy, the band's sound has become somewhat softer, but more professional. There's less need to make up in loudness what was perhaps missing in talent before, but only from an instrumental standpoint. Sarah's singing is still as lush or as powerful as ever, and anyone who wants to treat themselves should buy this CD, where every song is a good listen (unlike so much of what comes out these days!).

Happening across the band quite by accident after hearing 'Virgin State Of Mind' on 'Buffy' episode 'Doppelgangland', I decided to buy one of their albums, so impressed was I by this one song. The feeling of the album is generally upbeat, although this is a deceptive album. After a few listening you begin to pay closer attention to the lyrics and the sound of the songs to find that these aren't necessarily happy.

The mournful vocals add a slight edge of misery to many of the tracks, although the odd happy ones like 'Favourite Adventure' are just as good. Something like 'Almost Happy', as it breaks into it's louder chorus, seems almost bitter. The almost menacing feel to 'Tired', which reminded me of the score to 'Halloween', makes for fantastic variation. Another stand-out is the sorrowful and depressed 'My Head', although 'Shadowman' is also worth a mention.

It's a very consistent album, with plenty of very good tracks. It's easy to see why K's Choice have a cult following. This is some of the best alternative pop that I've ever come across.

Just when I thought K's Choice couldn't get any better (Cacoon Crash) they put out another album that is great. This is by far my favorite band of all time. I'm sure if more people gave them a try they wouldn't be disappointed. "Not an Addict" and "Believe" may have been their only hits here in the US, but those songs really only scratch the surface of what this band can do.
On their 2 newest albums there wasn't a song I didn't like (something very rare for me). So if you want something a little mellow but excellent, pick this album or Cacoon Crash. Both are awesome! And please tell your friends. K's Choice could use more fans, so they'll have a reason to tour over here!!!!!!!

I get this cd as a recomendation from one of the most beautifull woman i have ever meet in my life, "this one is hard to get" she said "but im glad i own it" and it was true, Ks choice is so emotional, true, honest, wise its a joy for life and a celebration of friendship, love , life, adventure, a complete journey between the different chapters of life specially if you are getting into thirtysomething age since many of the lyrics get into the issues that you have to face in such part of life, check out, "live for real", "my head", "somewhere", "home" (this is one of them), and "favorite adventure" (another one). Add "Almost Happy" to the soundtrack of your life, you wont regret your desition
HM

Not your average 'folky rock back from another country. Seriously, the lyrics (although sometimes depressing) combine humor with a touch of despair. Like their other albums, the lead singers voice (yup, i don't know her name) is smooth with just a slight edge.
This album is a little "slower" and mellower than "Paradise In Me", but is conistent throughout.
Oh, and the song "Breakfast" makes me laugh every time!

I don't know what more could be said about Almost Happy except absolutely flawless. I have never been let down by a K's Choice release, and this was no exception. It took me a while to listen to the whole CD though because I couldn't get past how awesome Another Year was; I listened to it over, and over, and (well you get the picture) until I realized that I still had the rest of the CD to listen to. Buy It!

K's choice are an incredible band from belgium, and in my opinion this is their greatest album. starting with a grungier style they developped to a pop/rock mix with folk influences. the album is very intimate, with great melodies and as always the unbelievable voice of sarah bettens. if you like good lyrics you should definitely get involved with this one. one of the topics is getting older and the comparison of childhood and being grown-up. very deep and touching... listening to this album really makes me feel good, and it even made me aware of certain thing in life that i wasn't aware of before. go give it a chance, you won't regret it!

I've been a fan of K's Choice for quite a while, and I must say that I loved Cocoon Crash very much. But this album is amazing...it has just the right mix of insightful lyrics and solid musicianship. This band should be HUGE! I definitely recommend this album.

Almost Happy is quality K's Choice. The writing of this brother and sister led band is amazing as heard in such great songs like My Head, Another Year, and Home. If you have never heard K's Choice, you are missing some of the most complete and entertaining music today.