Perhaps he just doesn't 'feel' the new songs as much as they all claim to. We all know the albums are first and foremost about earning as much $ as possible but looking at the current trends in the music market, it's difficult to see how the stuff they really enjoyed playing circa the early 90s would fit.

I do genuinely think that the band would like to write another 'Keep The Faith' but it wouldn't fit today so they (somewhat stupidly) shy away from it. Whether that's on Jon's say-so or a collective band decision, only they really know but not many of the tracks they produce nowadays really cry out for a long solo. I love TC and think it is a good step back towards the older, arguably better material but it's still a little short.

Perhaps Richie sees that they spend very little time putting together the songs on recent albums and a great guitar solo would be lost on them. Who knows?

Live, he has become lazier though, there's no doubt about it.