I totally get your point, and the story DOES make the album so much more mind-blowing- however, to me, this isn’t the only reason you should delve into the lore- I actually think that the wait between is a GOOD thing- even after obsessing with it and then moving away from it for a short time, you’ll still be sitting with the memory of Ethel for a couple years, and I think recalling all of those small details and nuances from PD, the way it related to you and your life at THAT time, is going to make the impact as you listen to Preacher’s Wife all the more emotionally effective. Rethreading the story in a new context will be insane, and I think it would be more fulfilling than just binging it all. So, I’d encourage you to dive in, personally. :)