Craig Nicholls, the lead singer of the Vines, is known for two things: engaging in highly erratic behavior and consuming an extraordinary amount of marijuana. The former arises mostly from the fact that Nicholls has Asperger’s syndrome, a mild form of autism (he was diagnosed in November of 2004, the same year the Aussies canceled their U.S. tour with Incubus and bassist Patrick Matthews left the band). To observe the latter, simply listen to the Vines’ music.

When considered in terms of a smoke-out debut, Highly Evolved is like the initial intake suffused with raw, unfiltered energy; follow-up Winning Days is the high itself marked with an eclectic set of euphoric emotions, surrealistic sounds and moments of crude aggression; and Vision Valley is the blase, more lackluster ending that still contains some of the initial vigor — but, for the most part, the potency is diminished and the effect is less intense.

The Vines still display a penchant for soothing melodies in slow ballad “Spaceship,” the downer title track and the sluggish (but pretty) “Take Me Back.” However, none of these are as good as “Winning Days” and “Homesick,” with their intricate compositions of slow-to-fast tempos and forlorn vocals perfectly balanced with rhythmic guitars and fitting background wails.

The quicker fare displays decent riffs and composed Beatlesque yells, but the band isn’t nearly as rambunctious as on past singles like “Get Free.” The Vines show promise on “Candy Daze,” an upbeat ditty that’s fun and laid back, and “Don’t Listen to the Radio,” an infectious clap-along with a strong pulsating guitar, but despite these moments of growth, the Vines mostly stick to a tested formula.

Unfortunately, it’s starting to wilt.