I've watched this enough times over the years that I don't think I need a re-watch to correctly gauge my current opinions.
That being said what we have here is one of the most chaotic coming of age stories I've ever encountered. Filled with erotic visual metaphors and suggestive dialogue you'd have to beat me off with a stick to get me away from this during my younger years. Ironically, all of this isn't heavy handed enough, because people still seem to miss the point, even the current gen watchers who have years of internet discussion to fall back on. Yes, I think a lot what goes on in FLCL is a little too obvious. That's not a bad thing though, because missing the point would be..well..missing the point.
Not to say that there's a big point to be made, there isn't. It isn't deep, so in that sense claims of pretentiousness actually make some sense. (too many senses?) However, the entertaining and creative aspects of the show SHOULD stand out more, because, that seems to be even more of the point. (mores?)
Watch this for the art, animation, and the music. The whole package works really well together. In fact, it'd be a mistake to break these up into categories. We certainly have a piece of art here. Now, it's up to the viewer to gauge if it's important art or just entertaining art.
The influence FLCL has had on me is undeniable. (I heavily identified myself with Naota at the time, lol) I'd recommend it to anyone who expresses interest in watching it. It's not bad, it's not great. It's just pretty much the logical conclusion of anime in general and the interests of anime fans in particular.
The 7 score is a mix of nostalgia and sorta-objective analysis.
