Unglued Reviews

While less overtly country-influenced than Lock-Sport-Krock, Nikola Sarcevic’s 2004 debut solo album, Rock Roll And Flee is still a far cry from his regular gig as singer and bassist for punk rockers Millencolin. There’s plenty of acoustic guitar and occasional pedal steel on offer, and the pace is generally rather sleepy.

From Where I’m Standing, which is also embellished with organ, is rather forlorn, but nonetheless catchy. Soul For Sale is slow and jangly, while some trumpet enlivens the latter part of the already lively Let Me In, although it’s the endearing vocal delivery that first gives it appeal.

Love Is Trouble is deceptively simple and recalls some Simon & Garfunkel numbers (there are, however, no Paul Simon covers on the CD, despite the album sleeve strongly recalling Simon’s 1972 self-titled record).

Organ reappears to complement the compelling narrative of the vibrant folksy rock song Tybble Skyline, but the downbeat title track, in contrast, proves to be one of the album’s more forgettable efforts. The pacy The Law of John T., on the other hand, is a highlight, thanks to the strong foundation laid by the drums and some clean electric guitar.

From this point, however, the album does taper off, with the final third characterised by the easily-overlooked boogie Horse Bay Blues, middling Married and dull Don’t Kill The Flame.

It’s an unassuming album, and not as memorable as Lock-Sport-Krock, but whether that’s due to weaker songs or just the novelty of Sarcevic’s choice of side-project wearing off, it’s hard to say for sure.

Owen Heitmann