Is he this tired of DT to the point of leaving?
I really, really doubt it. I mean, considering that he was just as against taking a hiatus as everyone else, when MP suggested it, and seeing how happy and excited he was during the ADTOE tour, constantly posting youtube videos, going out to say hi to the fans and everything, I really don't see where this perceived lack of enthusiasm is coming from. It's sad when a fan loses their enthusiasm for the band, but I feel like that lack of enthusiasm is being projected onto the band, when in reality, they're just fine. Sort of like, "Well, I'm not as into the band's music anymore, so I feel like they're not into their music anymore," when it's not really true. At least that's how it seems to me.
I know what you mean, I severely miss his normal backing vocals (Fatal Tragedy, Home, WIMH, TGP, Blind Faith...). The fact that they decided to remedy this by backing tracks in James' voice adds insult to injury.
Yeah, I didn't mind him doing backup vocals. Unfortunately, I think he ended up doing it so much that it made him want to push further and further towards being a front man, when he's really not. And sure, people like Phil Collins can be a drummer and a front man at the same time, but no offense to MP, he's FAR from Phil Collins when it omes to vocal ability. And maybe he was doing it unconsciously, maybe he didn't realize that he was trying to hog the vocal spotlight more and more, but he really was, even if certain aspecs of it were enjoyable to me. Even though I liked his vocal contributions to Constant Motion and Prophets of War, and even the "Day After Day" section, I always felt like they undermined JLB's position in the band. So I can understand why he'd be happy with MP's departure.