I agree with some of what you are saying. Although live, the band still "does it" for me. I appreciate the energy and peformance so much more when I am actually there to see it with my own eyes.

But..I agree that at some points the band seems to be just going through the motions. It is funny, because after Elements, my husband said that he thinks Jon is tired and bored with music, and that he just wasn't into it anymore. He even went so far as to predict that he thinks the band will go their separate ways sooner rather than later. I don't know if that is just Jon's personality, or if there is truth to that. After watching Live 8, I have to admit that it did seem a bit routine with no fire.

I am going to hold out though, because as I have said, I really haven't been disappointed by a live show by BJ yet, and there are so few bands that are actually worth seeing.