hmm . . so if I like most of the "mediocre new material " guess that makes me - what - mediocre ?  _ sorry,  am in a "mood" and couldn't resist ;) 
Couple things I've noticed about fans &amp; new music in general  in my roamings around the net . . .
 &gt;&gt; New songs haven't been lived in/ had time to evolve /become familiar . . . but it seems some will quickly dismiss a new song if  it doesn't offer a sense of comfortable familiarity - i.e.  a different take on an old sound.  Not saying that is the issue here . . but to not like Any of the new music . . really ?
&gt;&gt; Attitudes / expectations about music are all over the spectrum.  Some want bands / artists to remain exactly the same  from their first album to their last.   Some want  constant evolution / experimentation.   Most seem to be somewhere in the middle ground . . love the old but interested in the musical journey of  their favorite musicians. 
I'm definitely in that middle group . .  especially where a young band like GPN is concerned.   Just my take . . . .