Where was that, Stadler? With Neil and Nick, etc? A bonus on Snakes and Arrows? I think I have something but never watched it, or watched part of it. Will need to pull that out.
As for JLB and his vocals, I say leave him be. I think he nailed it and then some on The Astonishing (and DT12 and ADTOE), most being left to his own devices with JP coming in just a little. If that's how he likes to work, and those are the results it brings, carry on.
Re: the time it takes to write an album. I don't like SoA, so I guess I think this album was rushed. But I don't know - maybe none of them are great song writers anyway. I just don't know. It could have been better with more time and thought, but maybe not.