Agree about the coke inference; cannot comment on its validity though. I also agree with the length of the album recording time. The first two were cut with a fuck-all attitude and I think thats when they're at their best. However, one could argue BHN went TOO far in that direction and shows what happens when you record strung out on coke.
I personally like DBTT because it was so much better than SOTSG and HC and re-affirmed my faith in the band. They still are one of the best live bands to see, especially as Liam doesn't feel the need to try and indoctrinate the crowd with his own views, a la Bono and Martin, as he rightfully points out in the interview as well. It is sad they they have fallen to the B-level bands but that is the way music cycles itself. I prefer to see them in smaller venues here in the US (they never played huge places anyway even at the height of their success). They aren't mainstream (thank God) and don't belong on Top 40 stations squished between Mariah Carey and Fall Out Boy like U2. I think Liam is coming to grips with this fact slowly but surely. Liam and Co. are real and that is something you cannot duplicate, no matter how much Bono says U2 is rock n roll. Q magazine has been fairer in their assessment of the band as compared to NME who lives to see them crumble.

Spot on!