It's a fine line between better and different. I applaud musicians who have the courage to make a clean break rather than staying in the comfort zone of their bands viz. Paul Weller, Mark Knopfler and Sting. Of those three, only Mark Knopfler's post-band music really appeals to me, but I appreciate what Paul Weller and Sting have done post the Jam and the Police.
Are solo efforts ever better?
I’m sure someone will think of something, but IMO, I can’t think of any artist that went solo and produced a significant amount of material that was “better” musically than what they did with their bands. Paul Simon did some decent stuff, but I don’t think it ever reached the artistic levels of what S&G did together. Sting, Fogarty, Bruce… I guess Diana Ross and Beyoncé were far more successful solo, but I think the Supremes and Destiny were more of window dressing for the star and less of a collective effort. Again, IMO. What do you think?