The Mistake is another example of great sequencing imo. You need a song like this to come down after The Grocery/The Wolf and set yourself up for The Parts.
This is maybe the song that has grown on me the most? I really love it now. "Embryonic accident, a native knife, you've gotta finally bury it" is the most heart-wrenching line on the whole album for me.
Made it from my car. Upstairs listening on my phone. To dropping the needle at the exact start of the mistake. MUSIC NEVER STOPS
I know someone said in the album thread that this song sounds like the character/narrator on the verge of insanity or during a manic episode and, I'd probably agree with that. It's very ethereal.
So... when the album first came out, I put The Parts in my top 5. I actually think it may be my least favorite now. But I'm not sure. I still think it's absolutely beautiful and actually a really wonderful penultimate track, but it does kind of stand out on the album.