The only thing better than going out for a great meal is being able to relive the experience by savoring the refrigerated leftovers later as a midnight snack.

Such seems to be the premise for the joint rerelease of Mike Doughty's two solo studio albums, "Skittish" and "Rockity Roll," which his label packaged together and put on record store shelves last month. With nearly two dozen tracks, including live samples from Doughty's 2004 performance at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, fans will love being able to re-acquaint themselves with the artist's fresh sound.

As the former frontman for the alternative rock band, Soul Coughing, Doughty had apparently been itching to try his hand at being a solo artist. In 1996, he holed up in a studio and recorded "Skittish" - a raw, but fun, acoustic debut album. Unfortunately, his label didn't think the tunes were as fun as he did, and the album was ultimately rejected.

Fast forward several years to 2000, when Doughty quit Soul Coughing, grabbed his guitar and hit the road to tour as a solo act, selling the CDs on his own. To his surprise, fans in the front row were singing along as he strummed songs from "Skittish." Thanks to Internet file-sharing programs such as Napster, the album had been resurrected. Fans quickly snapped up hard copies of the record, and Doughty had a new crop of listeners.

Following the underground success of "Skittish," Doughty returned to a recording studio in 2003. This time, he backed up his guitar with simple synth patterns and a drum machine, and wound up with another upbeat acoustic disc: "Rockity Roll."

Though they were recorded seven years apart, the two discs compliment each other perfectly. The low-key approach to "Skittish" makes Doughty sound more like he's performing at a chill coffeehouse gig, rather than recording in a studio. And although the production is stepped up a bit on "Rockity Roll," Doughty sticks with the quirky lyrics and six-string strumming and ultimately keeps the album relaxed.

It's been more than four years since his Soul Coughing days, but Doughty's music is still heavily influenced by his band's sound. Anyone who is familiar with the group's hit, "Circles," will hear the song eerily echoed in the repetitious lyrics and bouncing melody of Doughty's "Ways + Means."

"The best I ever did with my life/Said just three honest words to you/Three droplets in a pail of lies/Three gems among the alibis/Yes, I know the ways and means I are, Ma/Yes I know the ways and means I are."

Going solo was a good move for Doughty because his unique, raspy voice can be better appreciated when set against a simpler backdrop. His lyrics are offbeat, but the tunes are catchy. First-time listeners will find themselves humming along, even before songs are over, and loyal fans will surely love the signature Doughty flavor on the tracks. Just reheat, serve and enjoy.

Suggested listening: While eating a relaxing meal after a stressful day.

If you like this artist, you might also like: Soul Coughing, Wally Pleasant, The Eels.