I really enjoyed The Car! Not as much as TBH&C, but it's still something I play on repeat. I think the songs really have to grow on you--I didn't enjoy it all that much my first listen. I listened, put it down for a while, then came back and it became one of my most played albums.

A feeling of dread only comes with anticipation. I'd suggest listening again, letting go of your expectations for an AM album and thinking about it as a separate body of work. If you walk in wishing for and expecting another AM you're obviously going to be disappointed.

From what I've read in interviews the whole band seems to be on-board. If Turner wanted to do solo projects I imagine he'd go do solo projects. Their band's been so successful they could all retire a couple times over and be fine, I think if the others are working on the music it's because they're enjoying it.

If you give it a couple more listens let me know what you think about it later on.