Reviewed by Jonathan Olguin
Artist: Ivan Mihaljevic & Side Effects
Album: “New album Counterclockwise”
The Label: Zetafactory
Released: 2012
Track listing:
Too Much Is Not Enough
Build Your Destiny
What Is Underneath
Driving Force
Gilded Cage
Gift Of Life
Time Travel
Eclipse
I Am
The first thing that caught my eye was the interesting album cover & the name; Counterclockwise. I found the cover to be spot on with the content and concept of the album. As you move deeper into the album, you start to realize it is much more than meets the eye. It took me several times to listen to the album in it’s entirety; to truly appreciate it. The lyrics reflect rich concepts of pain delicately balanced with positivity.
I can only describe the vibe of this album as an emotional roller coaster. Not unlike a symphony, one moment you hear slow beautiful melodies then BOOM in your face guitars riffs. The level of artistry is nothing short of incredible. At no point in my review, did I question the artistic ability of the composers. The beauty really resides in how these artists work together. Complimenting each other perfectly. The drums match the complexity of the guitar, yet at no point gets overwhelming or muddy.
It is clear they are good musicians, but what I really appreciate was the depth and richness of the lyrics. Song after song, they maintain a high level of quality. There is no fillers in this album. No empty songs to fast forward past.
I listened to this album over and over; and after much digestion, I’ve come to the conclusion that this is some of the finest work I’ve ever heard. Not only the production value but the message that is behind the it. This music is the type to stick with you; long after you hear it.
One of my favorite tracks on this album is Build Your Destiny. The lyrics, “Show them who you are, spread your wings and fly. Into the air, across the sky. You’ve got the key , so build your destiny,” really stuck with me as it is some of the best advice I’ve ever had. Almost as if the singer is speaking directly to me. Another song worth noting was Gilded Cage. This song has a powerful message behind it. I found it brilliant the way they paired these strong lyrics with a soft instrumental. Highlighting the depth of the lyricism. The lyrics ,“ I’m locked up in a gilded cage of modern age , And cannot turn the page,” seems to say it all.
My absolute favorite song was the final track I AM. Ending the album on a positive note. My favorite line from this track is ,“I cannot live in the future, nor can I stay trapped in the past.“ What a powerful quote; eloquently summed up in a few words. It is lines like this that leave in me awe. Causing me to not only listen and enjoy; but to think as well.
Furthermore, the line, “Slowly time disappears and there’s no end..,” was a brilliant way to end this album. Leaving a positive image in the listeners mind. It is easy to see why this group is popular. There is no doubt, they have potential for greatness.
In the conclusion, I found this album to be emotionally exhausting. An obvious sign of excellent artistry. I thoroughly enjoyed writing this review and highly recommend this album. It is safe to say this album has made a fan out of me.
https://www.facebook.com/imandse – http://www.reverbnation.com/ivanmihaljevicstreetteam
The Band:
Ivan Mihaljevic Vocals, Guitars
Alen Frljak: Drums, Backing Vocals,
Marko Karacic: Bass, Backing Vocals
It talks about many situations and feelings people might encounter through their lives. It talks about despondency, about people who disappoint you in ways you’d never expect from them, about dealing with a death of a close friend, about greed and about severe depression, but it also shows the light at the end of the tunnel.
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