yeah, i agree with that
the last jawbox record was the last time he really "let you have it" vocally...
although, identikit has some really great vocal performances on it
but overall, song to song, it's not as in your face as he "used to be"
i've heard that channels is a slight attempt at being lazy....
i've heard direct references to karate in regards to his direction for this band
after hearing that track, it's nothing like karate and i'm not sure those rumors are anything more then straight rumors
but vocally, it is more relaxed....and maybe that's the point
hard to judge with out a whole record