About 2/3...3/4 the way through, the mood felt a bit forced, and it occurred to me that he was applying the formula to the piece itself. This may be a taste of

About 2/3...3/4 the way through, the mood felt a bit forced, and it occurred to me that he was applying the formula to the piece itself. This may be a taste of the problem... but I think it's more imperfect application than damning the formula itself. Like grammar, it constrains but doesn't limit.