The most famous Swiss hard rock band is back with their
new record, Human Zoo. After the excellent Homerun,
I was wondering if Gotthard could reiterate a second
masterpiece in a row. Well even though this one is an excellent
shot, I have to admit that the quality and the feeling of
Homerun is less palpable on Human Zoo. What
I mean of course is that their previous album is simply
a rock, a topnotch album shadowing the quality of the new
studio album.
The opener Human Zoo leaves no doubt : Gotthard
know how to write "sure valuable" hard rock hymn.
This track reminds me very much Bon Jovi and gets
printed in your mind immediately. What I Like - a
kind of "power ballad" - is escorted by a classic
guitar and the number of "sounds" surrounding
this song gives another dimension to this track - especially
the wonderful violin in the back.
Top Of The World is the hit of the album. The
opener guitar riff hits you right in the face and doesn't
leave you until the end to the track. I personally compare
this tack to the best Bon Jovi/Van Halen songs. Actually
Top Of The World reminds me Panama (Van Halen).
The chorus is marvelous and Steeve Lee's vocal performance
is really impressive. A future classic ! And if you like this
one, check also Where I Belong, another future classic.
Long Way Down should have been placed much earlier,
in the five first songs. This hard rock/bluesy song highlighting
the "skill" of the Swiss band when it comes to
song-writing. What Can I Do is the ballad that will
"invade" once again Switzerland's radio.
Songs like One In A Million, Janie's Not Alone
or the ballads Have A Little Faith, First Time In A Long
Time and No Tomorrow are typical trademark songs.
Nothing new, nothing bad ... just like it is the case with
AC/DC ... the band delivers its usual "rockets".
If you like double drums, speedy killing riffs, atomic bass
or "true metal" hymns, pass your way as Gotthard
walk on the pop/hard rock side.
Now let's talk of Mr. Steeve Lee - singer of the band.
I could say that both Homerun and Human Zoo
are classic hard rock albums, almost conventional stuff.
What makes here the main difference with the tones of underground
hard rock band and Gotthard is their singer. This
guy illuminates alone all the songs, makes the distinction
with his vocals. It took me a long time to spot him, but
if you know and like Rod Steward, let's say Steeve Lee sings
almost like him, if not better. A scorer, simple as that.
I admit that the number of ballads/power ballads is disproportional
for a hard rock band. But like anything, if you want to
get to the heart of it, you gotta get down to the crude
parts of it. The more you listen to Human Zoo, the
more it hits your heart. The soul of Gotthard lies
in this record ... and I must admit that Gotthard's soul
has moved away from hard rock. Homerun was opening
the road, Human Zoo confirms it : this band has chosen
the pop/hard rock way. It doesn't mean it's bad, it rocks
simply lesser than before. Although I've never referred
to Gotthard as a "true metal band", I've
always considered them as great rock musicians. Queen
isn't fantastic ?
The kind of "holiday-album" you listen on the
beach ... while you're watching these wonderful (wo)men
passing by :)