I'd never dispute the fact that they were still an awesome live band at that time. I saw them live on numerous occasions that tour and I remember those shows with great passion. However, why I consider 2000 as the mark when it all went downhill is entirely related to the album. While Crush was still a good, with an option to great in some circumstances, it never was and never will be an evolution to what had come before. It was just something missing. The evolution from SWW to DA/US is as magical as anything, but with Crush it just falted for the first time, ever.

All true.

Bad production....

Ebin trying to bring Bon Jovi into the year 2000 sounds forced and unnatural. I think I might hate his production style more than Shanks. He ruined Aftermath too.

Can't stand either of those two when it comes to production. The passing of Bruce really came at the worst time possible...

I'd take Ebbin over Shanks. I love Shank's kick drum sound but hate how the guitars come out. But I'm one of the few that loved the production of Aftermath.

Is this from Greenville 2001?

Some weird version of Bed of Roses. What's with the shoddy piano playing? Could it be Jon playing himself?

Kiel was one of the places that got the half acoustic/electric shows that tour. I don't remember anything about Jon playing Piano that night. Anyone else?

EDIT:

Nope.

Thanks! Still weird, the piano arrangement sounds so over simplistic.

That's when they started messing around with what would become TLFR. That's the seed planted that led to the arrangement on the album.....