Human Zoo [Import]

Gotthard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 3, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: MSI:BMG/ARIOLA
• ASIN: B000087DW1
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,195 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #55 in Music > World Music > Europe > Continental Europe > Switzerland

Editorial Reviews

2003 album for the Swiss melodic rock act, the first to find the perfect compromise between the hard rock style of their first three albums & their later, softer work. 12 tracks. Ariola.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow..., February 5, 2005

By 

D.W. Williams "Dave" (Pittsburgh) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Human Zoo (Audio CD)

This band is simply amazing. And this is coming from someone who doesn't really listen to hard rock all too much (I'm a metal kid). Maybe it's because there aren't enough bands like Gotthard who know how to play more than a few chords and really know where they're going with their songs. Anyways, I love this CD!

I first heard of this band through a CD called Metal Dreams Vol. 2, through a catchy little blues-tinged number called "Let It Rain". The song was very well-composed, and the band just had an excellent sound. I decided I wanted to hear more. So I ordered Human Zoo, their acclaimed 2003 effort. I had my doubts, after all, I wasn't too fond with this genre. But when the title track kicked in, I decided I liked it - it reminded me a bit of heavier Bon Jovi with a younger Rod Stewart on vocals. "What I Like", the album's powerful single just caught my attention right when it first kicked in. It's such a beautiful song, thanks in part to Steve Lee's excellent voice, and had a very anthemic feel to it - similar to the great hard rock of the 70s and early 80s. "Top of the World" made me realize just how much I was truly enjoying myself when listening to this CD - it's just a great, upbeat rocker with an infectious chorus and great guitar playing. "Janie's Not Alone" is one of the more depressing tracks, mainly for its lyrical content, involving a girl from a poor background who lives on the streets and steals to stay alive. "One in a Million" is more of a driving tune - easily accessible, fun to sing along too and catchy as hell. Then comes a beautiful bluesy ballad called "First Time in a Long Time", an uplifting, inspirational song that is hard not to love. Everything to come next is also very good - and "Long Way Down" offers something a bit different for a change, adding some nice variety.

Let me say this, if you're a fan of rock (real rock, not alternative radio crap) or classic metal, why not take a chance and see if this wonderful band can leave an impression on you as it has on me? Definitely a must.

10/10

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine Arena Rock, July 23, 2003

By 

susumu-5 (Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Human Zoo (Audio CD)

Swiss melodic rock superstar Gotthard (with second t upturned) made another great work that will surely expand their fans currently limited to Europe and Japan. The album is extension of pop hard approach as shown in Open, and Homerun. The remarkable change is that producer was changed to Marc Tanner known by Calling's debut. The album became more tailored to American AOR fans that like catchy power ballads. The album sounds as if Ron Nevison did Bon Jovi albums. Mark Tanner's approach is very closer to Ron Nevison who produced a number of comeback hit albums such as Survivor's Vital Signs and Heart's self titled album in 1984.

Opening track Human Zoo is a killer. Hard-edged yet pop sound will pale Bon Jovi or Goo Goo Dolls. What I Like is a sure hit power ballad fit for Adult Rock chart. Have a Little Faith is a nice slow ballad challenging "The Search Is Over" or "High Enough". Top Of The World is heavy edged catchy song a bit reminiscent of "Living On A Prayer". One In A Million starts with "Stone In Love" styled heavy guitar riff. Another highlight of the album is "First Time In A Long Time" Rod Steward styled ballad sure to be a huge hit.

Recommended for wide range of pop rock fans that like Ron Nevison related works and 80s pop rock fans. Also recommended for Goo Goo Dolls, Bon Jovi and Calling fans.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another rockin' Gotthard album, April 9, 2010

By 

Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Human Zoo (Audio CD)

2003's Human Zoo was the sixth studio album from Gotthard, the modern day kings of melodic rock. Gotthard is essentially the Swiss Bon Jovi, or perhaps what Bon Jovi would have sounded like if they had continued to make good rock albums after Keep the Faith.

Human Zoo came at an interesting time for Gotthard. It followed two of the band's most successful and commercially accessible albums (Open and Homerun) and preceded the harder rocking Lipservice and Domino Effect, and seems like it's stuck between the two sounds. It's almost like the songs on this album are either leftovers from the Homerun sessions or demos for Lipservice. The core Gotthard sound is definitely there, but the album doesn't have quite the same spirit I'm used to hearing on a Gotthard release. I love the band (I've given most of their other albums 5-stars) and still enjoy listening to this album, but I don't love it like I do the albums that came before and after Human Zoo.

It's not my favorite Gotthard album, but Human Zoo is still worlds better than the competition. There are some fantastic melodies, very catchy songwriting and of course a great vocal performance by Steve Lee. I'd absolutely recommend Human Zoo to anyone who enjoys high quality melodic rock, but I think newcomers would be better off starting with Open or Homerun though.