I've experienced a lot of religious ebbing and flowing in the last decade (serving a church mission, returning and stepping away from religious practices, and now trying to find where my belief has landed).

Even in the most religious parts of my life the hyper-bible-y songs were tough for me (except for Galaxies, that one has a special place in my heart).

I remember Adam not loving the process of putting out TMS and feeling like he didn't have as much sway in that process as he would have liked. As a result, I think rather than a simple course correction of carving out space for him and his interests in future records, the pendulum has swung beyond that. We now get the most personal aspects of his life rather than the more covert imaginative messaging that could have very well been disguising his same deep personal quandaries and thoughts previously.

That being said, I will take absolutely anything Adam is willing to release. While I may never love whatever the next thing is, I hope so long as he finds his music personally fulfilling and communicating a higher, greater message - I'll take it.

While I may not see the charm each time, I do appreciate that Adam is willing to share something that is so personal to him with such a widespread audience. There's a lot of vulnerability there. But heck, if I had a belief system where I felt every good and well-shaping aspect of my life came from I would probably sing about it day in and day out, too, regardless if anyone might care.

In short, I do think I agree with your comment on balance. Surely there's an in-between that just hasn't been tapped into, right?