Listened to some of the new tracks but I just can't get into it. Same with the last album. For me it's a mix of not wanting them to even continue without Layne, and a mix of feeling like even if Layne was still around a modern AiC still wouldn't be very good. Just like almost every band from the 90s. Nirvana is gone, "The Smashing Pumpkins" are just god awful, Stone Temple Pilots are a joke now with or without Weiland, the new Soundgarden does nothing for me...
The only one still holding on for me is Pearl Jam, but mostly because they are still amazing live. They haven't had a great album in years, but at least they haven't really released anything that's embarassing like STP or the Pumpkins.
This new AiC isn't terrible, though. I'm glad some fans can be into it. I'm just not one of them.
I miss the 90's.