I think they call it evolving. I've been wishing they would turn into something more than their earlier records for a long time (although I like the "old sound" too.) A band that does the same thing forever becomes really boring.
And the beard discussion (I can't believe there actually is/was one) come on. People change their appearance all the time, same thing as with the music itself. Whoever called it a "sellout" beard or whatever, have you looked the same for the last 5 years? If so...I'm sorry 
