Avant-prog is a slippery slope, my friend.

Album Rating: 4.5

it is but we should be open-minded enough to accept it occasionally. Of Natural History is their best work anyway me thinks

That is the slop-y part. Sometimes it is great. (See: King Crimson, Van der Graaf Generator, Mothers of Invention, John Zorn.)
But sometimes it is dumpster juice. (See: Sleepytime Gorilla Museum [lol], Greco Bastian, High Castle Teleorkestra, Cime, etc.)

Imagine creating this and DECEIT within a ~3 year span and then more-or-less abstaining from making any music thereafter. Cowardly, or boss move?

both, agreed

Greatest band ever

Album Rating: 4.5

better than Deceit, agreed 😉

Nice 5, not sure I could. Having said that I haven’t actually heard this in a hot minute so I can try

You can’t 5 something that’s perfect?

Album Rating: 4.5

I mean it took you long enough. Respect the process. There’s a queue here, a hierarchy if you will. I’m yet to re-5 Yank Crime after all 😝

Album Rating: 4.5

yeah, this is (still) borderline transcendent at its peak, yet a touch never-wavering highlight reliant to be a contender for promotion

My fave cuts are my fave cuts, always have been. I don’t even need to state them! Easily keepable / solidly mid-range 4.5

Album Rating: 4.5

(amendment) does hit +.2 in the dark

Not having a single This Heat album 5'd is basically admitting that you hate music.

Album Rating: 4.5

au contraire, having a single This Heat album 5d means you likely THINK music more than you FEEL it - so god knows what 2 x 5s means! Love starts with feelings

(and yes I clearly do plenty of the former already, but I try in practicing a healthy balance!)

nailed it