Saw Dave last night, in fact. He played 9 of the songs from this album. Interestingly, he used old chestnuts and Lillywhite session songs strategically, to try and minimize the weakness of this material. I applaud his attempt to find a new direction; I hope that he keeps trying. All but 2 or 3 of these songs should be (permanently) shelved, as quickly as possible. Find yourself a copy of the Lillywhite sessions, listen to it, and then start the fascinating process of trying to understand how an artist can abandon such beautiful, personal work (in favor of this strange concoction).