The initial reaction I had to Everclear’s latest album, “Songs from an American movie Vol. 1-Learning How to Smile,” was that Everclear frontman Art Alexakis had finally gone overboard.

But after repeat listening to the disc I found myself enjoying Alexakis’ deeply autobiographical songs, if not plaintively simplistic lyrics.

And I think that is the point of the album; it?s a time capsule of Alexakis? early years when he was strung out and unhappy. Sure it makes generalizations about drug addiction, break-ups and love, but it is an album that Everclear fans will enjoy.

“Songs Vol. 1” is a very personal album and was originally intended to be an Alexakis solo effort. It does sag a little bit under the weight of being overproduced.

I saw Everclear at BFD 7 over the summer and I was surprised that the only new song they played off the new album was the single, “Wonderful.” But after listening to this album I realized that it would be pretty difficult to pull off this album with three guys, a guitar, a bass, and a drum kit.

Almost every track is crammed with orchestras, banjos, steel guitars and mandolins. But this is not a kinder and gentler Everclear. In many ways these songs are more reflective than past efforts, but Alexakis is still blunt and to the point.

This album will not likely create a new legion of Everclear fans, but fans of their other CDs will certainly enjoy it.