Customer Reviews

Human Zoo

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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.

Well-you've read all the other great reviews...now be a good little rocker & get hold of this as fast as you can!! Seriously,folks-this is one fantastic band! Their songwriting skills are top-notch...think maybe along the lines of a 'poppier' version of Tesla..straight ahead rock with great hooks! The real deal--these guys should be an international smash! You'll also want to get 'Homerun', 'Open' & 'G'. Trust me,you'll LOVE these guys. I've heard aLOTTA music in my 48 years,and these guys have what it takes--Enjoy..

I became familiar with this band, while living in the USA, through my boyfriend who happened to live in Austria. Being a rock fan, I gave it a try on the great recommendation he gave them! I was sooooooooooooo impressed, I begged for more! 2years later, we were married,I moved to Austria and saw them in concert every chance I got! They are definately one of the most professional rock bands in Europe.........great sound, great songs, great presence!!!!!!!!! I have every cd and couldn't wait until the new one came out! I bought it on release day and loved it!They have gone back to their roots and delivered a rock album worthy of praise. Rockers,ballads and party songs worthy of stadium crowds!! Gotthard aims to please and has hit the bullseye with their latest release HUMAN ZOO!
Those of you interested in hearing earlier stuff,I suggest the following:
1. DIAL HARD
2. G Spot
3.D Frosted(Acoustic live album)
4.Gotthard
5.Open
6.Homerun
7.Best Of Ballads

With Gotthard you can't go wrong.Definately worth the price.

Gotthard made their debut in 1992 with a self titled album with a more or less Whitesnake a la "1987" approach. This debut was rather good. Now, 11 years (and a bunch of albums) later they release "Human zoo" and it's clear that Gotthard have "matured" in a way. This album doesn't have any real heavy metal songs in the traditional way, but is more AOR (adult oriented rock) inspired. It's a strong set of tunes with a lot of hit potential, especially in songs like "Top of the world" "What I like" and "Janie's not alone" among others. Steve Lee is without doubt a good singer, and if you like Krokus' "Rock the block" (2003) and Bad Company's "Company of strangers" (1995), I guess this one is for you.

The more I listen to this album the more I like it. Maybe there's a bit too many slow songs (although good), but when Gotthard rock, they really rock! I believe this album represent the come back for melodic hard rock, and will be a good example of the development in this genre. It's not as "riff-driven" as in traditionel heavy metal, and it doesn't have the "whoa, whoa, yeah, yeah" approach we grow so tired of in the late 1980's.

Once again Gotthard deliver another quality release. I bought this after hearing Lipservice,which I believe is their finest hour.I have listened to several Gotthard releases,and have not come across a bad one yet.It's a shame that their music is not well known in the states,because they rock harder than the majority of what is called music these days. If you ever listened to TNT,House of Lords,Black'n'Blue,Keel,or Icon,then you this band will take you back to that era.It rocks!

Prior to its release "Human Zoo" had sparked off a lively debate. This new CD from Swiss band Gotthard has already come in for some flak, with criticism of the songs ranging from "too soft" through to "too boring" and the band themselves have been slated for their overtly commercial direction. I tend to see things differently. In the years since their formation, Gotthard have continuously evolved and refined their sound. With their last album "Homerun" they delivered a timeless classic. Sure, the band have lost something of the harder edge of their early releases, but have just as surely gained in class. On top of this, Gotthard are just about the only band in Europe from the melodic scene to have made a breakthrough in the last few years. Which is why I find the brickbats totally incomprehensible. Gotthard are putting our music back in front of a wider public. What more could you ask for ??

Now to the new output "Human Zoo", the first album without long time producer Chris von Rohr. Instead Gotthard have brought in the highly regarded Marc Tanner, producer of the MTV-Award winners The Calling. With Tanner at the helm the production here is first class. Several of the songs have that harder edged style of yore but for the most part the songs are similar in style to the last album "Homerun". The majority of tracks on the new album are either ballads or mid-tempo numbers. In terms of quality, the songs are continuously on a high level. All the same there are a number of highlights that I have picked out :

"Human Zoo"
Title track "Human Zoo" is a really heavy opener, which reminds me of early Gotthard. After the first two spins the track was not really one of my favourites, but after repeated plays it is getting better and better and...................................

"What I Like"
A personal favourite and one of the best songs of the new album. Here everything gels. Well played guitars, tinged in places with some slight Asiatic influences. Steve Lee is in top form. A track that leaves you wanting more. "What I Like" is also the first Gotthard single from "Human Zoo".

"Janie's Not Alone"
A song that deals with the desperately sad lives of street kids in places like Romania and Brazil. It tells the story of twelve year old Janie. With its sensitive and thought provoking lyrics and a splendid musical accompaniment from the band, this is a track that gets under your skin.

"No Tomorrow"
The intro to "No Tomorrow" is very calm and just as you are thinking, another ballad, the guitars kick in, driving the song to a memorable chorus. Melodic rock to perfection.

"What Can I Do"
A typical Gotthard ballad. This track comes to life through the sensitive voice of singer Steve Lee and the wonderful background vocals. Just close your eyes, enjoy and dream.

With "Long Way Down" the album touches a low point as the track is merely average and just about prevents me from giving Gotthard and "Human Zoo" the full five stars. Despite this I'm already eagerly looking forward to the forthcoming Gotthard tour. See you there!!!!!