I am absolutely loving this record, and think it is the best they've done with William.
The record lacks some of the bigger, radio-friendly chorus and immediate hooks of some of their prior material. But I think each song is really a lot more interesting as a whole, and a bit more proggy, at least in regard to mood shifting and some time changes as well. It's incredibly strong top to bottom, which was certainly NOT the case with Dinosaurs (for me, I thought there was a ton of filler).
I am now on my fourth listen since I got it on Friday. Each time I am hearing something new. It feels like a complete band, on the same page. Whereas while I liked the last two AIC albums,they felt like they pushed and pulled at times trying to figure out that balance of being "Alice in Chains," and being something new. This record they've settled into a sound (to my ears) and I really love what I hear. My least favorite of these is "Maybe." My early favorites are Red Giant, All I Am, and The One You Know.