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K's Choice
Mellows San Francisco |
.....K's Choice is a
Belgian band from Antwerp. They've been in the music industry for a very long
time in continental Europe. They are slowly getting music fans in the states.
The band has released four CDs now. In order of release, they are: "The
Great Subconscious Club", "Paradise In Me", "Cocoon
Crash" and "Almost Happy".
.....Since the late eighties, brother and sister Gert
and Sarah Bettens have been active in the Belgian music scene. While studying,
they formed their own "hobby-band" called "The Basement
Plugs", and predominantly covered popular songs in the Antwerp area. Sarah
and Gert decide to change from "The Choice" to "K's
Choice". for those who read!) 1995-1997 - Paradise in me (K's Choice)
.....Their fame grew with the release of their third
album. Their single "Believe" went straight to number one in Belgium
and Holland. Which made K's Choice famous outside Belgium. Not long after that
they released "Everything For Free" and this was also a huge hit for
the band. By then, K's Choice was on everyone's lips and they were considered
as the best band from Belgium. K's Choice spent nearly a whole year in the
States; supporting bands like The Verve Pipe and Tonic. These support slots
included a one-off appearance on the bill at 1997's celebrated Lilith Fair. As
a result of this, "Paradise in Me" grabs the Number 1 spot for two
consecutive weeks on Billboard's Heatseekers chart. In addition, "Not an
Addict" spent nearly 30 weeks on Billboard's "Modern Rock
Tracks" chart; peaking at Number 5. ......September '96 and September '97, K's Choice spent
nearly a whole year in the States; supporting bands like The Verve Pipe and
Tonic. These support slots included a one-off appearance on the bill at 1997's
celebrated Lilith Fair. As a result of this, "Paradise in Me" grabs
the Number 1 spot for two consecutive weeks on Billboard's Heatseekers chart.
In addition, "Not an Addict" spent nearly 30 weeks on Billboard's
"Modern Rock Tracks" chart; peaking at Number 5. The band joined the
Lilith Caravan for the third time in August '99 and toured through more than
ten American states together with Sarah McLachlan and Sheryl Crow, among
others. The success of Cocoon Crash didn't lose its momentum . . . that same
summer even brought the group to Israel as the support act to Garbage. 2000 -
Almost Happy
.......I
had the pleasure of seeing K's Choice play live at Slims in San Francisco,
Their really relaxing and easy to listen to. Some of the lyrics are funny but
most are serious. Frontwoman Sarah Bettens gets personal from the start,
kicking off the album with a recording of her singing a Belgian folk song at
age five. The innocence surrounding it sets the tone. The warmth of
"Home" and "Live for Real" sifts through the present.
Bettens signature smoky vocals are a touch deeper while the band's
instrumentation is delicate. "Somewhere" is the bridge - an acoustic
rich number flowing with elements of country-rock. They move beyond the
"alternative" tag that made them international superstars with
"Not An Addict" and the approach is wistful. Other songs such as
"Shadowman" and the vibrant life of "Busy" hits upon social
routine and the messiness of it all. The domestic release of Almost Happy
contains a bonus live disc captured from the European version of K's Choice
Live, originally available on Double T Music.
.....They
bring mature singer-songwriter compilations that radiate warmth and tendernes
with a touch of rock, but not in excess. The album is a very natural musical
evolution that every right-minded music enthusiast will surely appreciate and
that will undoubtedly sound honest to the ears.
By Randy
Cohen
........This is the Official Rock Publication Web Site
All photos and written material courtesy of Rock Publication
.Copyright © 2002
E-mail at
Rockpub@aol.com
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K's Choice Band
Sarah (lead vocals and guitar) and
Gert Bettens (vocals and guitar). The band line-up is completed by Jan Van
Sichem Jr. (guitar), Eric Grossman (bass) and Koen Lieckens
(drums).
Solvi - drums
Check out Songs
of
K's
Choice New
CD
Almost
Happy
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...........8/2002
