I think it’s a little disingenuous to suggest that a song is not PT, but rather SW, as I’m not sure there really has ever been a difference between the two. The often brought-up idea that PT “went as far they could” is a little ridiculous to me, as it implies that they were incapable of changing their sound and taking it in a different direction. They were clearly capable of that, so I don’t think at all that they took it as far as they could. You could, however, say that they ran out of steam, or at least, motivation to take it further.

I think the biggest thing is that SW had always been a bit of a control freak, and PT had begun with him having complete control, and by the end the group dynamic was something he was tiring of. I think people read too much, or perhaps simply read the wrong thing, into the statements that PT had gone as far as they could, in interviews after the breakup of the band. People assumed and inferred this meant the music, but I think it was more the personnel. Over time, interviews with SW certainly seemed to imply to me (or, yes, I inferred) that it was more down to SW wanting to perform with different musicians, and not need to share the writing of the music with them, than anything else.

Im fact, SW has said in several interviews now that if PT had continued, they would have continued, more or less, in the direction of his solo albums - so theoretical PT albums wouldn’t have been much different from the SW albums we know, except for the fact that the individual musicians involved would have put their stamp and personality into the music.

Recent interviews have also made much of the fact that SW is more willing to take a back seat than he ever was. He’s a family man now, and he’s happy to let others do more. Reading between the lines, one of the major reasons for breaking up PT (tiring of the band dynamic and wanting to be 100% in control again) was no longer an issue. The reunion was almost inevitable, I feel.

As for why Colin is not involved, it has long been reported that one individual had less interest in a reunion, and/or there were issues between one member and the others. All we know now is who that is (though Colin had always been the prime suspect). I don’t know why that is, and I don’t know why it always seemed to be Colin that people assumed was the odd man out. As harsh as it might seem, it doesn’t really bother me. PT has always been SW and whatever musicians he chooses to play with, whether under the PT or SW name.