IMO, Quaristice (the actual LP, not versions) was a little too precise.
In that each track just drops you into the deep end of blink-and-you'll-miss-it complexity.
I realised this recently when listening on some *ahem* substances. There's just as much 'holy fucking fucking shit there's so much detail' going on but it demands a little too much attention even for seasoned AE fans, which makes it bizarrely disposable.
Anyway, on topic: Exai: FUCK what a great album.
Perhaps. Precision and detail aren't really related though imo. There's a lot going on but it just feels too loose, I guess? I dunno, maybe one day I'll like it more.
Good point. Food for thought for sure.
Don't get me wrong, I've found the album problematic since it's release. When I finally got hold of Versions I was all "Phew, here's my new AE album".
But I can't help but keep going back to it and sniffing around it, because it's so awkward.