Riding high on the blockbuster and with a new jet-setting bride at his side, took full advantage of the high life, as is clear from , an album that unwittingly celebrates the excesses of the years. While he hasn't quite settled into middle age, is ready to take advantage of his wealth and status, recruiting a hero ( ) and a kid ( ) for duets, turning to for inspiration ( ), fronting a big band ( ), writing a song for a movie ( ), and picking up the guitar ( ), just for the hell of it. You could say that it's eclectic, but it's scattershot, because it's just showing off his musical skills. He's done this before, to great effect on , but this is all about hubris and, as such, it sounds exactly like its time. From its processed, distorted guitars to its hollow synthesizers, sounds dated and it's his most uneven since . Even on the hits, he sounds as if he's stretching -- is labored compared to (not to mention considerably more vulgar); never hits upon a solid riff like ; is catchy but fluffy; is weighed down by 's vocal affectations. In context of the album, they're fairly enjoyable, but they hint at the dry spell that was just around the corner. Nevertheless, still has enough panache and is riding on so much exuberance that remains an entertaining listen, especially if it's viewed as a -era artifact. It just doesn't compare to what came before. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine