The significance of their newest album to Maynard's life is much more personal to him than the previous ones. For that, I can understand a lack of musical creativity. The lyrical content in Wings for Marie / 10,000 days is just heart-wrenching. I appreciate the album for what it is.. and they did a hell of a job in concert. So well, that I actually saw them twice. .haha. But I will agree with you, Lateralus and Aenima are far far better albums musically.