The band has not been the same since his departure. IMO Ben Kenney is vastly inferior to Dirk. Dirk brought so much energy and, well just plain FUNK to the band that they no longer have. He was a huge part of their unique sound, a sound they frankly don't have anymore. It still pains me to hear the new stuff, which Dirk is so clearly absent from. Don't get me wrong the post-Dirk stuff isn't necessarily bad, I just think it would be much better were Dirk still contributing to the band..