I agree with the statement about the band (Jon?) wanting to be too many things to too many people. When you do that you dilute the message. You can't please all of the people all of the time - and he should know that.

As for being bland - I get the fact that writing the same stuff over and over is boring - you will stagnate. But couldn't they write some new stuff with some punch - and leave the mid-tempo shit off.

One thing I disagree with is the assessment of Last Man Standing. I don't see it as pop mediocrity. I like both versions of the song and I think it shows some of Jon's good recent writing.