I agree with you Geoff. To a point. The ballads are maybe the best thing on this disc. Take a listen to the piano-driven ballad/rocker below.
Stunning.
Someone posted this on Youtube:
"The ballad “Without You” has special meaning to Smith who lost his older brother at the age of 15 in a fatal car accident. The song’s vocals were recorded, somewhat by chance, on what would have been his brother’s birthday. The emotion and always rawness of loss comes through as you listen to Smith sing lyrics that recite age-old truths in spite of pain, knowing the promise of eternity."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3FWzKZqq4o