As far as the RWS illustrations wandering from the GD/Book T meanings of the decans, yes...there are numerous instances; for example 6 of Swords "Lord of Earned Success"...for that matter, Crowley does too, with "Science". We've talked about that very card in this thread already....here's MY take: RWS...the swords (the mind) keeps us IN the boat...i.e. on track, till we get to our goal...we set mental limits, not to stray to left or right, till we "make it to the other side"....that's good scientific method too. If you successfully reach your goal, that's a Success you have Earned.
Also...remember that Paul Case founded BOTA on what was basically the RWS Major Arcana, with a few "tweaks" of color and by returning the Sun and Death to their more classic TDM forms. 15 years of weekly esoteric instruction, kabbalah, astrology, alchemy, magic squares, etc...all on this basic RWS deck. I guess the Albano is to bring BOTA color theory to it....so yes there is incredible deep estorerics there....everything in every card has deep esoteric significance. Personally I believe, that whether people know about it or not, they buy it...and buy it, and buy it....for a reason that escapes them....they were constructed with esoteric wisdom (Waite) and Psycic/intutive insight (Smith) and people can feel it when they look at it.
Also, when you put millions of rabid tarot geeks on the project, they have dug deeper in insight than probably Artie and Pixie even dreamed. I expect that the whole RWS "family" that has been spawned by their deck would blow them away. Who would have guessed?