Slow-cooked sounds

Some artists simmer for long periods between records. This results in an overcooked musical misadventure or, conversely,  melt in the mouth texture with well-developed flavours. Some artists just release left-overs from earlier more fertile periods, mopping up every last dreg, resigning from the now and hoping to return to the bumper crops of a bygone time.
The Blue Nile are well-known for large gaps between albums but, like waiting for an olive grove to mature, the end result is always an enduring record, sustaining the listener until the next release. Nobody can forget the haunting emotion of A Walk Across The Rooftops (1984), followed by Hats five years later. It was a mere 7 years until the next release Peace At Last (1996), and a whole EIGHT years until High (2004). None of this matters- the wait was well worth it.
Ryan Adams is often criticised for releasing too much. He is the banquet which just keeps coming out, the lazy susan straining to move under the weight. With so much on offer, how does one choose and, indeed, how does one know what is good? It's a gamble. Personally, I enjoy the variety but find some dishes more appealing than others. Gold (2001) offered the full banquet but lacked the staying power of the one sensational dish that was Cold Roses (2005). The latter was the musical equivalent of country-fresh corn, dripping with hand-churned butter. I can barely recall the many dishes of Gold, they passed by me and blurred into one forgettable feed.
Crowded House reformed in 2007 and, despite Neil Finn's undeniable gift for melody and songwriting, the following two albums lacked the bite of Together Alone. Something was missing and there was a distinct lack of seasoning. Finn's recent Pyjama Club was received well, with favourable reviews, but I am hankering for a piece of his Chocolate Cake!!