This will be interesting to see how it does.The faithful will still buy and guarantee pretty large sales.I hear it will more of a "rock" sound.I can't see it breaking into new markets.The 2nd album after will be the real test ,because if the faithful are disappointed by this new sound , they won't be back.
They have never written any of their own big hits before.
By sitting out so long they have lost the "sassy girl" vote to newcomers like Miranda Lambert.
They lost their novelty.