Cocoon Crash

by Stephen Thomas ErlewineOn Cocoon Crash, their follow-up to their breakthrough second album Paradise in Me, K's Choice is determined to showcase their musical diversity. As a result, the album is a bit scattershot, since it runs the gamut from jangling folk-rock to roaring post-grunge. It's all tied together by Sarah Bettens' vocals, but she's more of a chameleon than a strong identity, fitting her talents to the song instead of bending them toward her demands. Consequently, the album can sound like a post-Lilith Fair alt-rock sampler, but it's enjoyable, simply because K's Choice's melodic skills have improved and they're capable of delivering good alt-rock songs, even if they are a little faceless. Even if the band fails to create a distinctive identity for themselves on Cocoon Crash, its craft signals enough of a leap forward to make it a successful third album.