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Rating:
Ignored in our homeland, loved by many Europeans, labeled as traitors and/or blatant copycats of rock history, and cynical in their commercial strategies, for Gotthard comes the well-deserved milestone of blowing out 15 candles alongside fans during the lengthy "Lipservice" tour. And, why not? even publishing a DVD.
They do it by recording a show held in their native homeland, specifically in Zurich, where they are considered genuine celebrities. One of the strong points of “Made in Switzerland” is precisely, besides the excellent performance by the band from Lugano, the amazing response of the Hallenstadion audience, one of those “great occasion” crowds, both in size and participation. In total, “Made In Switzerland,” which will include both an audio CD and a DVD, is truly a well-made "gift package" that I managed to get FOR FREE by blackmailing a shop assistant in a record store, photographing him and his colleague in intimate behavior during working hours... but that’s another story.
I insert the DVD into the player and sprawl out in the living room in my music critic’s pose: popcorn, ice-cold beer, and a few already drunk friends (they thought "Gotthard" was the name of a famous Swiss porn production house... perhaps misled by the album cover). The main menu presents me with the 4 fundamental questions of human existence: watch the concert, watch the Backstage, watch the Videoclips, or sneak a peek at the usual "CREDITS"? Skipping the credits by default, I start with the concert (though it would have been more philologically correct to start with the Backstage), and I'm presented with a view of the darkened Hallenstadion packed with people: a truly impressive construction, all under cover... these Swiss are really ahead, I think to myself. Suddenly, a beautiful girl's mouth appears on the screens and greets everyone present (in English) and warns them that this will be the best night of their meaningless lives... WOW!! What a BLAST!! ...And luckily, after the Rocky Horror Pictures Show quote disappears from the screen, licking its red luscious lips, the concert begins.
The instrumental build-up is perfect, and as soon as vocalist Steve Lee arrives on stage dressed as a pirate, he starts "All We Are": an energetic, gritty, and very melodic little song that they perform identical to the studio version.. Lee sings really well, and the rhythmic section is more cohesive than a wall of concrete (I’ve run out of decent comparisons, sorry). Really hats off to Gotthard live.
The show continues with "Dream On," the latest single, with a title borrowed from Aerosmith (for the record, the singer is a replica of Steven Tyler in vocal delivery, theatrical gestures, and crazy look, but in my opinion, it’s just a coincidence that they also have the same name) and a riff rehashed from a Mr. Big song (Trapped in Toyland) anyway, the song itself kicks, I must admit. The third one is an explicit homage to Deep Purple who covered "Hush" when Steve didn’t even know how to say the letter S; the audience screams along, the spectacle this group of professionals is able to give is truly admirable: it continues with "Montain Mama," a rock number with Leo Leoni (the other frontman) engaged on guitar and the Musical Box (is that how you write it?), as Slash had already taught in his time.
With "Let It Be," "Top Of The World," "I Wonder," "Said And Done" you jump and have fun; on the other hand, Gotthard’s music is like this: sugary melody, powerful chords, impeccable voice and as a spectator, you think: I’ve heard this somewhere before, and your neighbor says.- who cares! let's go dance near those blonde babes!
But the "plastic rock'n'roll" atmosphere (sorry for the neologism, but it’s not true Rock!") is interrupted. The tones soften with the sad "One Life One Soul" which gives goosebumps when the whole stadium, illuminated by lighters, sings it, and even Steve Lee seems moved... or at least, he has the decency to fake it discreetly. "Sister Moon" (implicitly taken from Tyler and Perry's repertoire) and "The Other Side of Me" (resonates a heavier "Born To Be Wild") contribute to heightening the adrenaline, and the anesthetized audience awakens and goes wild.
The peak of the record, however, is "The Battle of Titans" a drum duel between Hena Habegger and Steve Lee!! I must say he does remarkably well, although he continues to flirt with every female creature near his station. The show goes on with the grand "Homerun," in my opinion, the most beautiful ballad they’ve ever written.
After further songs and a keyboard solo (missing from the roster) the concert ends with the infectious "Lift U Up" and one of the most representative songs from their latest album: "Anytime, Anywhere," here Lee’s voice gives its best, the rhythmic section makes a splendid setting and creates a decadent but very rock atmosphere (truly, this time).
Could it have ended here? Of course not! There’s time for the last encore: "Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin, and if it still needs to be said, Steve Lee proves to be a commendable vocalist. The concert concludes as it started: impeccably, and the audience is exhausted.
For the care in arrangements, instrumental impact, and ability to win over the audience, Gotthard deserves a 5+. BUT for originality, theatrical gestures not left to chance at all, the cynical show-business conception guiding them, I give a bit less.
P.S. In the extra content, you’ll find a truly stunning girl who appears in the videos for "Dream On" and "Anytime," Leo Leoni speaking English just like me, Steve Lee working out before the show, the concert rehearsals, and many fans saying (obviously) that Gotthard is the best band in the world..
Brilliant! They leave nothing to chance, these clever Swiss guys, in the cold world of "constructed" they're the only band I admire, I’m going to hear them in December.. Gotthard ROCKS! whether you like it or not..
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Dream On (03:31)
Got this everlasting feeling deep inside
Try to convince myself it's fine but I can't hide
It isn't really hard to see
We're all getting hate for free
While this sinking world
Is drowning it's own destiny
Dream on, dream on
I don't wanna loose my faith and come undone, no
Dream on, dream on
I really hope that I'm not fighting on my own
So the road of suffering seems to never end
Oh, it's so unfair, I just don't understand
And to reach the higher ground
That we've lost and never found
We gotta learn how to love
Learn how to live to be free, it's up to you n' me
Dream on dream on
All I know is, I won't make it on my own
Dream on, dream on
Gotta hold on to my dreams before they're gone
So dream on
Dream on, dream on
I don't wanna loose my faith and come undone, no
Dream on, dream on
I really hope that I'm not fighting on my own
Dream on, dream onâ ¦.on and on and onâ ¦.
03 Hush (04:52)
I got a certan little girl shes on my mind
No doubt about it she looks so fine
Shes the best girl that I ever had
Sometimes shes gonna make me feel so bad
Hush, hush
I thought I heard her calling my name now
Hush, hush
She broke my heart but I love her just the same now
Hush, hush
Thought I heard her calling my name now
Hush, hush
I need her loving and Im not to blame now
(love, love)
They got it early in the morning
(love, love)
They got it late in the evening
(love, love)
Well, I want that, need it
(love, love)
Oh, I gotta gotta have it
Shes got loving like quicksand
Only took one touch of her hand
To blow my mind and Im in so deep
That I cant eat and I cant sleep
Listen
Hush, hush
Thought I heard her calling my name now
Hush, hush
She broke my heart but I love her just the same now
Hush, hush
Thought I heard her calling my name now
Hush, hush
I need her loving and Im not to blame now
(love, love)
They got it early in the morning
(love, love)
They got it late in the evening
(love, love)
Well, I want that, need it
(love, love)
Oh, I gotta gotta have it
04 Mountain Mama (04:24)
I Was Born In A Cradle Of Stone
Never Thought, I Had To Make It Alone
And What Was Comin' To Me
All Just A Bunch Of Lies
N' I Should Have Known Better
You're The Master Of Disguise
Crazy Mama, You Keep On Comin' My Way
Now It's Over
You Ain't Gonna Make My Day
No, Not Again
Mountain Mama
You Where Feeding My Head
With More Than I Could Take
Always Watching With Your Serious Eyes
Every Move That I Make
Some Times It's Like Heaven
So I Can Tell
Darker Than Coal, Hotter Than Hell
Yeah, That's Right
Feel Like I'm Caught In A Spell
Crazy Mama, You Keep On Comin' My Way
Now It's Over
You Ain't Gonna Steal My Pay
No, Not Again
Mountain Mama
No Never Again, Mountain Mama
Don't Like That Kinda Game, I Don't Wanna
There's Just You To Blame
Mountain Mama
So You Better Forget My Name
Mountain Mama
05 Let It Be (06:41)
Don't know who's to blame
Don't know who was wrong
Love has died too soon
After all had just begun
Something in your eyes
Tells me you still care
Oh baby i swear
Deep inside my heart
Deep inside my soul
Something tells me no I can't let you go
Saw it in your eyes
Last time when we met
I will never forget
How can you say
Our love is gonna last forever
How can you go
With this empty broken heart
Of mine
Let it be, let it be
Love's like a gun on me
Let it be, let it be
Like a bag of broken glass
I was killed in the name of love
You never see it comin'
Doesn't tell you when it goes
Think it's gettin' near
Suddenly it's gone
Dirty little game
Don't even know your name
You just wouldn't say
Did you ever worried
Askin' maybe please
Knew you couldn't take it
I would get on my knees
Searching for way out
But there ain't no doubt
It's like goin' blind
... get down on my knees for you
How can you say
You love me but it's better
This way
If you don't need it anymore
I'm drowning down like
Never before
Should Have Never Let You Go
07 I Wonder (04:27)
I'm running out of love
I'm loosing ground
There's emptiness inside
I'm on my way down
And here I walk alone
With no destination, or places to go
You're always on my mind
No wonder why
We had the best of times
Oh, I can't deny
But something fell apart,
I know how it feels now
When two worlds collide
Now I can't believe you're gone tonight
When I should be holding you so tight
I can't believe and I wonder
(I wonder)
I wonder
(I wonder)
Where we're going
Love don't live here anymore
Anymore, anymore
Now, when I close my eyes
Pictures of you
Will never hold me back
From what I must do
Ain't gonna waste my time
Thinking 'bout all the pain
You put me through
Now I can't believe you're gone tonight
When I should be holding you so tight
I can't believe and I wonder
(I wonder)
I wonder
(I wonder)
Where we're going
And I keep on walking in the rain
I like to believe you feel the same
I wonder
(I wonder)
Yes, I wonder
(I wonder)
Is it over
Love don't live here anymore
Now I can't believe you're gone tonight
When I should be holding you so tight
I can't believe and I wonder
(I wonder)
I wonder
(I wonder)
Where we're going
Oh, yeah!
And I keep on walking in the rain
I like to believe you feel the same
I wonder
(I wonder)
Yes, I wonder
(I wonder)
Is it over
Love don't live here anymore
Anymore, anymore
Love don't live here anymore
No more...
10 Nothing Left at All (03:58)
Hey man, the story's getting old
Big lies, they always have been told
But right now you face another man
This time I turn the page around
No rhyme, no reason to be found
Why should I play the fool again
I keep on running in circles
In a crazy human race that never ends
I was never taking more than I needed
Always standing at the end of the line
Waiting for my turn to succeed it
But it's hard to keep playing the part
When there's nothing left at all
How come we always run for more
The rich is stealing from the poor
How come we're never satisfied
Don't know what I'm afraid to loose
Somehow I'm not allowed to choose
God knows I've never really tried
And Still we running in circles
In a crazy human race that never ends
I was never taking more than I needed
Always standing at the end of the line
Waiting for my turn to succeed it
But it's hard to keep playing the part
When there's nothing left at all
Hey man, the story's getting old
Big lies, they always have been told
But right now you face another man
I keep on running in circles
In a crazy human race that never ends
I was never taking more than I needed
Always standing at the end of the line
Waiting for my turn to succeed it
But it's hard to keep playing the part
When there's nothing left at all
11 Sister Moon (04:13)
Sister moon, come lead me down
To rest my weary head
Walked a million miles along
The road of no regret
I've been a fool, I've messed around...
A lock without a key
Waiting for the morning sun
To make it shine on me
So long, lonely days
Take me back where I belong
It's all gone, it's all behind
Hope you don't mind
Hope you don't mind
Hope you don't mind
Too many times I lost the grip
Was worn out on the floor
Fallen angel, don't loose your wings
Cuz' you'll never fly no more
So long, lonely days
Take me back where I belong
It's all gone, it's all behind
Hope you don't mind
Hope you don't mind
Hope you don't mind
12 Mighty Quinn (04:30)
Ev'rybody's building
The big ships and boats
Some are building monuments
Others jotting down notes
Ev'rybody's in despair
Ev'ry girl and boy
But when wuinn the eskimo gets here
Ev'rybody's gonna jump for joy
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the mighty quinn [2x]
I like to do just like the rest,
I like my sugar sweet
But guarding fumes and making haste
It ain't my cup of meat
Ev'rybody's 'neath the trees
Feeding pigeons on a limb
But when wuinn the eskimo gets here
All the pigeons gonna run to him.
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the mighty quinn [2x]
14 Heaven (06:32)
Show me the way to your heart
I am searching
But I‘m drifting apart
Everything`s gone, far away
Here we‘re standing now
With no words left to say
Gave you power
Fell on the floor
Silence, never thought you hurt so bad
In darkest hours
Slept at your door
Wishing all would be just like before
Let me find my piece of heaven
Let me find my way back home
I want this love to last forever
And back together, rise once again
From the ashes to the sky
Has someone taken my place
Am I falling ?
Was it our last embrace
Now you‘re asking me for some more time
I am trying to survive
Victim of my desire
I keep on running
I‘m up all night
Times, I never thought they hurt so bad
In darkest hours
Stand by your door
Wishing all would be just like before
Let me find my piece of heaven
Let me find my way back home
I want this love to last forever
And back together, rise once again
From the ashes to the sky
'Cuz I need it so bad..
Let me find my piece of heaven
Let me find my way back home
I want this love to last forever
And back together, rise once again
From the ashes to the sky
15 Lift U Up (03:42)
I’ll tell ya what to do when your life has you in a bind
When you’re calling up on luck,
But the Beep Beep is all that you find
And there’s nothing you can do about it
Cuz there’s more than is meeting the eye
Now I wantcha to know
That you’re part of the show
Come around, come around, come around
I can’t live without
Whoa, wanna rock this feeling off the ground
Wanna lift you up
Whoa, wanna rock , rock ‘till the morning dawn
Morning dawn
All I wanna do’s put a smile back there on your face
Just forget about the blues
Cuz we need you here to shake up the place
And there’s nothing you can do about it
Cuz there’s more than is meeting the eye
Now I wantcha to know
That you’re part of the show
Come around, come around, come around
I can’t live without
Whoa, wanna rock this feeling off the ground
Wanna lift you up
Whoa, wanna rock , rock ‘till the morning dawn
Morning dawn
One crowd, one hymn
Now let the show begin
One time again
Around, come around, come around
I can’t live without
Whoa, wanna rock this feeling off the ground
Wanna lift you up
Whoa, wanna rock , rock ‘till the morning dawn
Rockin’ and rollin’ and rockin’ and rollin’ and…
Whoa, wanna rock this feeling off the ground
Wanna lift you up
Whoa, wanna rock , rock ‘till the morning dawn
Morning dawn
16 Anytime Anywhere (05:57)
How does it feel, to be the one
A heart of stone, a smile of steel
You're talking nice, know how to charm
You see the goods, but not the price
I wonder
You turn your back on poverty
You got your high society
Call up your friends, you know them all
You're still immune to rise and fall
Remember
You're such a great pretender
Anytime, anywhere
I'll be watching you, all the things that you do
Anytime, anywhere
I'll be around, I'll be waiting for the moment you fail
No shaking hands, get in the ring
Those empty words don't mean a thing
The time will come, it won't be late
We're slipping through the hands of fate
But remember
You're such a great pretender
Anytime, anywhere
I'll be watching you, all the things that you do
Anytime, anywhere
I'll be around, I'll be waiting for the moment you fail
Anytime, anywhere
Oh, I'll be watching you, all the things that you do
Anytime, anywhere
I'll be around, I'll be waiting for the moment you fail
I'll be waiting for the moment you fail
Yeah yeah yeah
Anytime, anywhere
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