Nothing beats the 1998-2003 era for me, that's pre transatlanticism as for some reason photo album got released in Australia in 2003 , fucking backwards country.

The lyrics are something that I can deal with. They're bad, but they're rarely so bad that they get in the way of the music. Unfortunately, I don't like their current musical direction... it feels very uninspired.

I wonder if the next record will differ, his voice is back to normal so thats a good start.

To be completely honest there are certain tunes from everything they've released I've really appreciated (to the point of rather than me sleeping, I've got a tune repeating for an hour), but they've got tunes from each release I haven't gotten into.

That's the most apparent positive quality these guys have; Crookedrain loves the take on writing I don't as much as the latter. As will differ anyone in this discussion really.

You must be aware of all the kids listening to the new record who are in love with THAT aspect of writing; that he's singing about his memories more boldly than before. Just as you felt for the old writing, isn't it?

The ice is getting thinner still runs around my skin with chills because of the feeling, I understand the feeling, so I appreciate it so much. It's different than identifying, or relating.

I just kinda wish you wouldn't be so critical of them, there's so much more they will release, and have released, that outweigh what you dislike.

Lyrically, I'm not particular with how he writes, because by my ear he always writes genuinely. Whether you like pretty words or words your sure most people are ignorant as to what they actually mean; you've got to appreciate where Ben is writing from. I don't think he's ever just decided that it sounded okay and fits, there's a premeditated quality to everything he's said.