I haven't listened to the clip because I am at work. However, I do have about 20 of his recordings, and have seen him w/ Thurston and Corsano before as the Dream Action Unit - nice gig, very enjoyable skronk-fest.
I don't think that "beauty" is a necessary requirement of music or sound. It may be a requirement for you to like it, Dan, but not necessarily for others. FWIW, I would rather listen to Flaherty in another context than with Thurston, though each is a strong player in their own right.
Though on the extreme end of things, Bill Dixon does have a point when he suggests that the only person who can judge a work of art as successful is the one who made it. If Flaherty and Moore succeeded in doing what they set out to do, it's not "crap" though you may not enjoy it yourself.