I’m gonna get some stick for this review, I can see it coming. I’ve listened to the album a good few times and in truth I really like it but there’s only one thing that goes through my head, GOTTHARD-yes, Gott-past 1988-No!!!. The (almost) veteran Swiss rockers have presented a fine album of upbeat, totally inoffensive rock tunes that drag you back into the glory days of the late eighties, they’ve thrown in some lighter waving power ballads and if nothing else have convinced this reviewer that in 2005, spraying on a pair of tie dyed denims, tucked into cowboy boots and a bandana is the way to go. And believe me it’s a fashion statement I wish we could get away with again. For anyone of a certain age who lived through that period, certainly in this country, this is the album for you.

If The Darkness can be lauded for reawakening the interest in the classic “Brit-Rock” sound and end up playing Arenas (albeit with one album, read it again, ONE album) then this will take huge strides down the road of reinventing the classic “Americana” stadium rock, there’s influences from all over, bits of Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Tyketto, Krokus and if you listen very carefully, even Kiss. 

Album opener “All We Are” is more Krokus than Krokus ever were, a proper rock tune full of balls. Listening to it, you can’t help but pick up the hairbrush and throw shapes in front of the bedroom mirror, it’s classic. “Dream On” follows in a similar vein with more than a nod to early Bonfire. And don’t get me wrong, this is the beauty of “Lip Service”, it sounds fresh because what it sounds like was 17 years ago! 

Take “Dream On”, its The Sweet, with bollocks like watermelons. Then comes the first power ballad “Everything I Want” and the lighter waving analogy really comes to the fore, a tune of grandiose pomposity in the very best sense. In another world, Def Leppard’s Joe Elliot might well turn round and say “‘ere hang on, I wrote that bugger”. I’m at risk of comparing each number to something I’ve heard before and that would do Gotthard a huge Lip (dis) Service, although I have to say that the whole album has that “nostalgia” feel, well written, well performed and well produced Arena Heavy Rock in no uncertain terms.  

How much this will appeal to the yoof of today, I don’t know, but if like me, you’re a late thirysomething who immersed themselves in the gloriously self-indulgent bandana wearing eighties, then Gotthard could well be starting the long overdue revolution and the best of luck to them.

Let us know your views on 'Lip Service'

Track List

All We Are
Dream On
Lift U Up
Everything I Want
Cupid Arrow
I Wonder
I'm Alive
I've Seen An Angel Cry
Stay For The Night
Anytime Anywhere*
Said And Done
The Other Side Of Me
Nothing Left At All
And Then Goodbye
Can't Stop

Line Up

Steve Lee- Vocals
Leo Leoni - Guitars
Marc Lynn - Bass
Hena Habegger - Drums
Freddy Scherer - Guitars