The Ball probably was the end of an era, but it's misrepresented. If, as @johhnyd states - whose opinion I always respect - the band wasn't venturing into deep ambient soundscapes, I agree only to the ambient extent. Your assessment of CB is spot on, and better than my hurried, blurry mush; but 94 and 95 find the band venturing deep into jarring, electric, Fripp-induced screamscapes. With _Remain in Light_ in sight, I now see CB as the band doing exactly what they wanted to do in a room they probably never imagined playing.

Like your tiers, particularly the YIN/YANG....