Opeth - The Pale Communion: Most people dismiss criticism of newer Opeth as being about the lack of heaviness or aggressive vocals; I don't need either. While TPC is an improvement over the last album, both have the same problem for me; they are just not that engaging. I put these albums on and enjoy them for a song or two, but then it just fades into the background. There is just no urgency or anything that really grabs me. If I make it through the whole thing, there is nothing saying to me, "start that over".
Flying Colors - Second Nature & Transatlantic - Kaleidoscope. I list these together because they have a common problem for me. No, that problem is not Mike Portnoy. I love these bands first albums (two in TA's case) but then the follow-ups have been meh at best. I think the problem with these "super group"/project bands is that there is a creative spark at the beginning that can create amazing music in a short amount of time. After that wears off they are still capable of incredible music, but it is not likely going to emerge in a two week recording cycle. Both these bands would benefit from longer writing sessions, but given the schedules of "super groups" that is not likely to happen.
Vanden Plas & Mastodon - Neither of these are horrible albums, but to my ears they are nowhere near their greatness,
Lastly and likely least popular pick here; Evergrey - Hymns for the Broken Like the last two, not a horrible album on its face, but a shadow of their past greatness. This album is s step up from their last two; but that is not a huge accomplishment. I think somewhere along the line it is just retreading the same old ground. That would not be so bad, but IMO they have forgotten how to write an amazing chorus. There are only one or two on the new album that standout. compare that to them in their prime when the albums had both emotion and hooks a plenty. To me the last three albums have Evergrey by numbers. In five years if I am in the mood to listen to Evergrey, I could not see myself ever listening to the last three over any of the albums they recorded in their prime.