The downfall of Z2 is how calculated the whole thing was. Sky Blue was created at the request of the record company, although it's still a solid album and probably better reflects the sort of music Devin likes to make now anyway. Dark Matters also seems forced though. I think the fact that it took so long to make, given his known work ethic, should've been a hint that this wasn't something that came out naturally the way albums like Casualties, Epicloud, the first Ziltoid, Ki, etc came about. That's not to say albums that take a long time are automatically no good, but Devin is the kind of artist who works pretty quickly once inspiration hits. I get the impression that there was no inspiration for Dark Matters and he just sort of forced it out. It almost reminds me of the last couple of SYL albums, how they were made almost out of a feeling of obligation.
I have a ton of respect for Dev as an artist and I'm not really trying to hate on him or anything. I get why these albums were made. Dark Matters really seemed like a gift to the fans which makes it kind of sad how lukewarm the reception was and record company influenced albums are pretty unattractive but I get that the DTP is a source of income for a lot of the people involved. Somehow Sky Blue feels like the most genuine of the two anyway. I just hope if Dev pays attention to internet mumblings, he realizes that we like him best when he's doing whatever the fuck he wants. That is what drove so many people to him in the first place.