Cover versions can be the bane of a musical purist’s existence – yet clearly they’re popular with some people because Triple J’s Like A Version compilation series is now up to volume four. Encompassing tracks performed in 2007, it promises to be another special collection as it includes nineteen audio tracks and fourteen videos.

First and foremost is Regina Spektor’s version of John Lennon’s (and later the three remaining Beatles’) Real Love. Here she offers a beautiful ballad propelled by her feminine voice that is as sweet as Joni Mitchell’s, while performed in the basement of the ABC. Another “girl who can sing” is Stephanie Mckay who features with Katalyst for the Cold War Kids’ Hang Me Up To Dry.

The Panics offer a fairly close-to-the-original version of The Triffids’ Wide Open Road, something that seems even more appropriate given that both acts were originally from Perth and are known to hold a special place in the hearts of many people who make up the adult contemporary market. Plus, you know this one is particularly good given that presenter, Robbie Buck, taps along enthusiastically with the song.

However, the same cannot be said for Plan B’s acoustic version of Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One Before. Their case is not helped when they set off into a chorus of “Set Me Free Why Don’t You Babe”, but at least this is more easily forgiven then the funny gaffe that occurred in the liner notes. While we all know that The Smiths are responsible for penning and initially performed the song, this person wrote that Messer Mark Ronson was the original artist. Hilarious.

Next up is Crowded House (are they even played on Triple J?) with Everybody’s Talkin.’ Put simply, it is a sing-along propelled by Neil Finn’s vocals and drummer, Matt Sherrod on brushes.

In addition, two tracks easily fit a pseudo-lost-in-translation category purely because their singers’ voices do not in any way resemble the original artist’s vocals. These are Saosin’s version of Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time and – wait for it – Dappled Cities tackling the Bee Gees’ More Than A Woman, with pretty atrocious harmonies. Moreover, in the case of the latter, when they try and “serenade” the female presenter all she can do is laugh. Stick to your own material lads.

Some interesting covers abound, with After The Fall using a tap dancer for Only The Good Die Young. CW Stoneking is shown in resplendent sepia when he turns the White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army into a big, ol’ blues number.

In all, the release offers a combination of excellent and atrocious covers by some of Triple J’s favourite artists (who are mainly Aussies). The DVD is a pretty straightforward affair, but provides quite amusing visuals of some acts muddling their way through someone else’s baby.

Like A Version 4 is out now through ABC Music.