Two songs. Just two new songs from Everclear have appeared over the band's last four releases, and one of those was a track left over from the recording of 2006's 'Welcome To The Drama Club'.

Following the cover tune album, 'The Vegas Years', in 2008, the stripped-back re-recordings of classic Everclear songs on 'In A Different Light' a year later, and the live album, 'Extended Versions', that appeared earlier this year, Art Alexakis and his...err...somewhat fluid band line-up release 'Return To Santa Monica', an album of (wait for it) re-recordings of classic Everclear songs and cover tunes.

I love Everclear, I really do, and the emergence of new product from Alexakis hardly makes me feel misery whipped but, c'mon, this is more familiar than the most monogamous of relationships. That relationship comparison probably sums this album up best; there are things here that you love, that you welcome back into your life like a golden memory, but, in the harsh light of day, you realise that you have heard it all before...and better.

That's not to say that listening to 'Return To Santa Monica' isn't an enjoyable experience, far from it. There are stunning songs scattered amongst its tracklisting. Songs, the incredible 'Unemployed Boyfriend' for example, that I could happily listen to every day until my time on this planet is up. But they're re-recorded. Some varying ever-so-slightly from the original. The whole project smacks of boring legal red tape and other nefarious rock 'n' roll killing acts that, while of great importance to artists, excites music fans as much as beige. Not the colour, the word. As if one were less insipid than the other.

Opening with 'Santa Monica' and journeying quickly through a collection of great, great songs - 'Wonderful', 'AM Radio', 'I Will Buy You A New Life', 'Father Of Mine', 'Everything To Everyone' - this album is home to seven fantastic songs from the Alexakis back catalogue, seven songs that, honestly, sound better in their original form and not different enough here to really arouse interest. 'In A Different Light' at least offered acoustic, rawer versions of songs - this is like losing your favourite t-shirt and buying an exact replica; might look the same, but the same it ain't.

The cover songs are of the greatest interest here, bizarrely. 'Brown Eyed Girl', the Van Morrison classic, we all know about, but there are four other songs that wake this record up. 'I Will Follow You Into The Dark', the 2005 song from Death Cab For Cutie, motors along nicely, one of those cool, quirky song choices that works, just because. Everclear made the standard 'The Boys Are Back In Town' sound great for the Detroit Rock City OST remember - this kinda thing shouldn't be surprising.

The band kind of do it again with their take on The Police legend that is 'Every Breath You Take'. Introducing subtle, chugging guitar to the song pushes this version into genuine curio territory and is, possibly, the best that you could ever imagine a cover of such a seminal tune sounding. 'I Won't Back Down', the hit single from Tom Petty's debut solo album, 'Full Moon Fever', in 1989, is a little more straightforward yet fits the Everclear sound perfectly and is highly listenable.

The..umm...joker in the pack on 'Return To Santa Monica' is, in fact, an entertaining attempt at the 1973 staple of every easy listening/driving collection from the Steve Miller Band. Finally, Art Alexakis turns in some new lyrics - yes, highly chucklesome new lyrics added to this rock standard - and, as much as they offer, they just remind me that one of my favourite lyricists, a man whose lyrics quoted would surely talk anyone into the bedroom, has been awfully quiet regarding the written word for five whole years.

Supposedly recording a brand new Everclear album as well as this rehashed project in 2011, the minutes are counting down until Alexakis moves me again with his words. Until then I suspect that original tunes from his band's back catalogue will keep my soul company.

www.everclearonline.com