This is a personal opinion...and I know we are all Ben fans here so this is a bit of a dig at him..but I do feel that he's not as good at producing as he used to be. I think he intentionally avoids any and all "tricks of the trade" production techniques found in stereotypical pop music. He used to find a great balance of sounding unique, but not being afraid of using what flat out works. Rockin' the Suburbs is about half full of mid-tempo to ballady songs, but they all sound so damn powerful. There is no reason why Phone in a Pool should sound more mellow than Fred Jones Pt. 2, yet it does.
I think he's still writing great songs, don't get me wrong. Past his peak? Yes, let's be honest. (though he's still VERY consistent, more than most in a career as long as his). I have all the faith in him to make great albums still, he's just got some gigantic shoes to fill with every new release, and they happen to be his own.