IMO, the last really creative thing that Jon and Richie did together (love it or hate it) was Lost Highway. After that, it seems they didn't have MUCH--I didn't say nothing--of anything to say together given the output of The Circle and What About Now. So while I think the WAY Richie left was a complete douchebag move, the fact that he left was actually a good thing. THINFS is the best album lyrically, musically, and creatively in ages. Jon has way more to say without Richie than he's had to say with him in a very long time.