Stevie Jackson // (I Can’t Get No) Stevie Jackson

Stevie Jackson
(I Can’t Get No) Stevie Jackson
(Banchory)
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Stevie Jackson is the long-standing guitarist in Belle & Sebastian, so you’d probably find it pretty hard to believe if we told you his debut solo album was an uncompromising post-hardcore dubstep opus.

And you’d be right, ‘cos it isn’t. In fact it’s twelve catchy, pleasantly retro pop songs with a nice line in clever/stupid lyrics and walk-on roles for various indie comrades, including members of the Pastels and the New Pornographers.

Jackson is clearly a master of pastiche, veering expertly between several ‘60s and ‘70s-era styles including garage rock (Try Me), folk pop (Bird’s Eye View), glam (Where Do All The Good Girls Go?), and even slinky Curtis Mayfield-style funk on Just, Just So To The Point, my favourite song on the record.

As hinted at by the (amazing) title of the album, what gives ‘I Can’t Get No…’ an edge is Jackson’s way with words and wordplay. “Met a crocodile, happy for a while, now she’s getting snappy and she’s making allegations,” runs one characteristic line. Puntastic.

Mat Beal