It's been ages since he left. I also LOVE their first two albums, with David in the band, but evolution and change is normal, and "Deserter's Songs" is my favourite record by them.
And I don't miss David Baker (even though I like "YiS" and "Boces"). So there is some kind of balance in the cosmos. I miss S. Thorpe, J. Mercel, A. Snider and of course Dave Fridmann more.