I hate the sound when you break me

I was going to save this for later, but I realized that with Halloween coming up I should at least attempt to come up with some Halloween-themed songs for that day (I've got one in mind, though it's nothing really special)...so, today it's off to the Netherlands and another reality TV show--this time, Starmaker. The show (I think) followed twelve kids who lived together while competing to make it into the final group, with viewers (and judges?) choosing who got to continue on. Seven of them, a mix of boys and girls, ultimately went on to form the band K-otic, although Sita (whose song "Popstar" has been featured here before) would leave after their first album to pursue a solo career. K-otic released two albums, Bulletproof followed by Indestructible, before breaking up, and they're both worth purchasing if you can find them. As for what happened to the members of K-otic, Sita has released two excellent solo albums but is now focused on children's TV presenting; Stefan appears to be in some sort of covers band; Martijn is in a rock band, Van Gunn, based out of the US that will supposedly have its songs on iTunes soon; Anna has gone into acting; Bart was in some rock band at some point; Bouchra joined what seems to be a decently popular (or at least not indie/unsigned) German girl band; and Rachel was supposedly launching a solo career, but I have no idea what happened to her.

Falling--since this was a second album single, I probably should have started with another song, but it's just so good that I couldn't help it. I'm not quite sure why it's so good; I think it might have to do with the chorus--that catchy fast guitar riff (quiet but so essential to propelling the song along) with the very poppy vocals, plus the percussion--the drama!

I Really Don't Think So--back to their first album. I posted Scene 23's version of this song a little while ago, but this is the original. "Falling" is far from pop-rock, but "I Really Don't Think So" is even more on the pop side. It's really sweet-sounding, especially in the chorus (the verses are slightly edgier), despite its anti-love message. It's mid-tempo, though the smooth chorus has appropriated some ballad elements.

Hold On My Heart--an album track from Indestructible. It's got that slightly edgier sound, though it's more upbeat than "Falling." More great quiet guitars in the background--really, the guitars sort of make the song; the chorus would still probably be catchy even without that "edge," but, as is, it makes the song even better.

To buy K-otic's second album, Indestructible, go here (physical). It's a good album, but I don't know that it's worth it if you have to pay $50 (!!!) for it, which is what the individual sellers are charging for it. Besides checking eBay, I'm not sure where you can buy Bulletproof.

Next up: expect K-otic to reappear at some point in the future--"No Perfect World," from their first album, is excellent! That will probably be a ways away, though--tomorrow might be back to Sweden.