Yeah, the new level scales will take some getting used to. For starters, if Azers are level 15, because they want to hang out with Fire Giants, Fire Giants are only CR 10 in 3.5, and they'll almost undoubtly be stronger than Azers on a one for one basis.
Throw in the other examples, and it does seem that they've stretched most of the monsters out to make 30 the new 20. You've got a couple Hobgoblins facing 3rd level PC's on a one for one basis, for example, or the Owlbear jumping from CR 4 to 8th level Brute.