I bought the new album pretty soon after it came out (sometime last fall I think) and at first I was kind of disapointed. But after listening to it a couple of times, I realized that while it was less hard rocking than the first album, it still was very good. It is essentially a breakup album. Most of the songs are about relationships with some exceptions (the opener is the required drug-related song and is hilarious). My favorite is "Girl with the Hazel Eyes." Maybe the change in direction is due to the loss of the bass player, I don't know but he did bring a distinctive style to the band (both musically and otherwise). His Southern Highway will be missed.
In other music-related news, a long time ago Nick reccomended RHCP's "Californication" as a good album. And finally, I get around to seconding him on that. I just recently listened to the whole album (like 5 times in a row) and will say that despite the radio overplay of about 1/3 of the songs it is indeed a very good complete album.
And another plug for Neil Young's (less) new album "Prairie Wind" and the concert movie that goes with it. Very enjoyable. And not crazy at all.
