With the supergroup known as the Wrights having stolen their Easybeat-lovin’ namin’ thunder, Melbourne foursome the Vandas have decided to plug along irregardless with their clear devotion to classic pop songwriting.

There’s certainly a touch of Elvis Costello in the world-weary tones of Chris Altmann on opener “Leaving”, but what is more true about the Vandas is just how Australian they sound – there’s no misplacing them for being British or American-influenced. They’re totally Oz, mate.

“Capsule” jumps along on a nifty little beat, while band spruiker Davey Lane (from You Am I, an obvious influence on the Vandas, and the Pictures) adds his awesome guitar skills and rudimentary keyboard plonking to closer “Beautiful Skin”. Liszt he is not.

They’re not young ‘ns (and they’re not bothered enough to try and hide it), but the Vandas certainly have a good thing going on with Didn’t Come Here to Be Alone. Whether or not Australian needs another Even remains to be seen, especially when you consider that the bulk of the country criminally ignored said band first time around anyway. Harsh, but true.