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On the beautiful cover of their latest live album, two plump black and white cows are mating in some Appenzell pasture, under the emblematic title "Made In Switzerland." Switzerland, indeed. But this time, it has nothing to do with the wonderful Alpine horns or the unsettling beings of the species known as DJ Bobo. This time it's about hard rock.
Gotthard (which, in hindsight, is a brilliant name in its obviousness – for those who don't know, the St. Gotthard is a massive mountain with an essential tunnel) were born in 1990 in Lugano – now also my birthplace, but perhaps that doesn't matter. Gotthard... let's clarify right away that I started listening to them out of curiosity, a good word from friends, perhaps also due to this musically exotic origin (which was also of a certain Patrick Moraz, let's not forget). The rest was done by a poster, which for years and years I have seen hanging in a tavern in Lamone – the one with the lightning bolt, to not say the name – "Live at the Champs-Élysées, Gotthard in Paris" ... well, not bad. I thought, they must be good. To this day, I'm not a deep connoisseur of theirs; undeniably there was some online research for names and who knows what else. However, what I've listened to and will try to comment on by my own accord, based on feelings, does not disappoint, no. Really not bad, bloody hell (it was fitting, come on). Sure, it might make more sense to review their first albums, the ones where bands generally have more to say, the ones where the heart might not yet be paired with professionalism, but that's that (despite the very... well, unattractive cover).
In fact, with "Lipservice," the sweetness pursued in previous works was partly set aside in favor of a more energetic hard rock closer to their beginnings. However, melody and sweetness often permeate the Swiss band's songs, known also for their touching ballads (examples being the beautiful "Heaven" and "One Life One Soul"), so much so that they convinced the record label to release a collection of these, which I recall seeing prominently displayed years ago in a department store in Lugano, a tangible sign of their success at home.
Released in 2005, "Lipservice" is thus the latest album of new material by our guys. The first track, "All We Are," already hints at the vast repertoire these guys have. A crisp intro by drummer Hena Habegger, melodic guitar phrases (played by Leo Leoni and, as second, Freddy Scerer, replacing historical member Mandy Meier) and the attack of Steve Lee's objectively beautiful voice (completed by Marc Lynn on bass). Other compelling hard rock examples are found in songs like the beautiful "Anytime Anywhere," great riff and driving vocals, "Cupid Arrow" (very guitar-centric, like the entire work, after all) and the short and intense "Lift U Up," as well as in "Stay For The Night," which echoes of hard rock from the past. The Swiss have often been compared to sacred monsters; some see them as heirs of Def Leppard, others as inspired by Deep Purple. The truth is they are a beautiful contemporary reality, little known within our (remember, I'm Italian, after all) borders. Along the same hard line are the fierce "I'm Alive," "Said And Done" (almost robotic in its guitar work, interesting) and the somewhat cheeky "The Other Side Of Me," still striking, especially for the solo.
But melody, as mentioned, brings two captivating tracks, likely central in one of their roarous shows (this is a band known for their great live performances, if I get the chance, I'll definitely catch one, oh yes yes): the first is the captivating "Dream On," truly remarkable. Then there's "I Wonder," with a great arrangement and a chorus that stays stubbornly in your mind. A nod, as mentioned, to the ballads: "I've Seen An Angel Cry" (featuring a keyboard, wow) and, why not, "Everything I Want" (which gives me a vague sensation of Bryan Adams not just in the title) are two examples of hard ballads, advancing and precise, excellently interpreted and supported by always incisive guitars. Beautiful acoustic strums open "Nothing Left At All," a beautiful song with notable melodic lines. The album closes with the delicate "And Then Goodbye," voice (stunning) and guitar: poignant. And 14. I did it.
Beautiful album, therefore; excellent performers and a nation that (rightly) venerates them. My perhaps unworthy review (a fan is a different thing, after all) wants to be a tribute to a band and, why not, to a country that has given me so much. Dedicated to my mother, who left a small part of her heart beyond the Gotthard.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Dream On (03:24)
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 Lift U Up (02:58)
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
04 Everything I Want (04:32)
The nights are growing longer now
And I can't think of anything but you
Do you feel the same way too
Outside the windows, leafs are brown
Like words of passion falling down, it's true
The one's I've never heard from you
Remember, love was such an easy game to play
Those days are flown a million miles away
Now everything I want
Everything I do
Is trying to find myself again
'cause life can be so cruel
For anything I've done
And things that I did wrong
I'm asking to forgive me 'cause it's obvious
I'm guilty of loving you
I'll take the chance, this is my life
I'm gonna make the best of what I am
I really need to understand
And should I fail or recognize
The mirror's not reflecting what I want to see
Someone else inside me
I'm stepping out the edge, I'm on the borderline
Ain't gonna make the same mistakes this time
Now everything I want
Everything I do
Is trying to find myself again
'cause life can be so cruel
For anything I've done
And things that I did wrong
I'm asking to forgive me 'cause it's obvious
I'm guilty of loving you
Guilty of loving you
Now everything I want
Everything I do
Is trying to find myself again
'cause life can be so cruel
For anything I've done
And things that I did wrong
I'm asking to forgive me 'cause it's obvious
It's clear that I was guilty of loving you
06 I Wonder (04:23)
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...
07 I'm Alive (02:59)
Gotthard - I'm Alive
Take a jump into the sweetest marmalade
Flavors of which life is made
Realize, don't wanna deal no compromise
I'll leave my past, my dues are paid
I'm alive, and I feel so good
I'm alive, right now
Gonna rise, ‘Cuz the best is jet to come
When I feel the heat is on and I'm on fire
That's when I come alive
I'm going to do the things I always wanted to
Look at me, I walk on air
I can fly and I don't even need no wings
Do it all, I'll take the dare
I'm alive, and I feel so good
I'm alive, right now
Gonna rise, ‘Cuz the best is jet to come
When I feel my body tremble with desire
That's when I come alive
I'm alive, and I feel so good
I'm alive, right now
Gonna rise, ‘Cuz the best is jet to come
When I feel the heat is on and I'm on fire
That's when I come alive
13 Nothing Left at All (03:56)
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
14 And Then Goodbye (03:34)
There are things that should be easy to say
When you know you love someone
While waiting for the moment to come
Another day has gone
The stupid fears I keep inside
That only heaven knows
They scare me every time I have to
Face those simple words
And then goodbyes are round the corner
And then goodbyes don't last one day
So I'm scared the time is running out
And I see you walk away
There are goodbyes that no one cares about
N' others so hard to face
So I'm trying to sing this song for you
For the words I need to say...
I learned my lesson once
I thought I learned my lesson twice
And I know how bad it feels inside
When I can't make up my mind
Senseless words and sleepless nights
And my life's just falling apart
Oh tell me Lord why's it take so long
To let my heart speak out
Cuz then goodbyes are round the corner
And then goodbyes don't last one day
So I'm scared the time is running out
And I'll see you fade away
There are goodbyes that no one cares about
And others so hard to face
So I'm trying to sing this song to you
'Cause it's time for me to say
I love you
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