Pitchfork and Metal

Pitchforkmedia has a complicated relationship with metal. Okay, it really isn't that complicated at all - any metal band that can be labelled as "art-metal", "avante-garde", or is well-known but just out of the mainstream...any band like that is Pitchfork's best friend. Pitchfork loves bands like Neurosis, High on Fire, Opeth, but above all they love Mastodon.
There are two issues I'd like to raise about Pitchfork's love of Mastodon.
1.) I am pretty sure Pitchfork only loves Mastodon because they (Mastodon) are somewhat-respected in the metal community for a number of reason, but not entirely accepted because, despite their brilliance, they are still pretty sloppy musicians. This is perfect for Pitchfork to latch on to because A.) Bands Pitchfork love are usually sloppy musicians, and B.) This allows the writers of Pitchfork to feel superior to all the metalheads because then they can say things like, "Oh, I love metal, I really like Mastodon, but not a lot of people really know how talented they are. But I do, I see what they are doing."
2.) I am convinced Pitchfork thinks that Mastodon is made-up entirely by drummer Brann Dailor because he is the only member they ever mention. And that just goes to show how much Pitchfork really knows about metal.