Potentially dumb question about Christine leaving the band

[Matt Lucas]

Hello all---

I've remember reading all the interviews from the SYW era, but I need a reminder: Why, exactly, did Christine leave the band? From what I can recall, after THE DANCE tour, she decided she was tired of life on the road. When they agreed to record SAY YOU WILL, I think I remember her offering to join for the album but not the tour, and everyone else saying, basically, "It's all of nothing, baby."

It also seems like there was some implication that she wanted to retire, but then she turned around and released another solo album.

Also, is she estranged from the rest of the band, or did they split on good terms? I seem to remember all of their comments seeming a bit tense when the subject of Christine came up...as if they were more than a little mad at her. I always had the impression that she and Lindsey got along pretty well. I remember seeing a photo in Rolling Stone from her wedding [I think], and Lindsey showed up. The two of them co-wrote several songs for TANGO as well, which implies that they got along pretty well, artistically.

Has she ever commented on the split from her end of things?

Can anyone provide links to interviews, etc.?

For the record, I'm actually a Lindsey fan, but I think Christine was sorely missed on SYW. She really was, as one reviewer put it, "the band's center."

mattl