I agree that since "The Circle", Jon's studio voice is clearly restrained.

Songs like "Brokenpromiseland" would be way cooler if the lead vocal was more versatile and loose like it was in earlier records.

Come to think of it, even in "Everybody's Brokiiiin" , this nasal style kills the chorus. Imagine even a 1997 Jon singing this, it would have been several levels more pleasant.


But I think the choice of style for the latest recordings has a lot more factors than just his voice. To continue highlighting '97, check out August 7, 4:15. It is quite a rocker with a low key voice. Or "Radio Saved My Life Tonight", on the live version he sings octave lower in the chorus and still it rocks..

But I personally don't have the complaint about "rock" songs. I rather have the complain about "rock" spirit... Or .. more "soul". I Will Drive You Home is one of the songs that stand out for me from the last record. It's not "rock".