----- Original Message ----- 
From: "AssociationWorks" <AssociationWorks@comcast.net>
> Based on a few recommendations I delved into this record to see
> what the fuss was all about...but couldn't get past what I heard as a
> slightly off-key, faux-British vocal coming through an AM radio ...laid
> over mediocre folk pop. Am I missing something?

I think to some extent I've learned to navigate fuss.  I read a lot about 
this record, enough to be curious, but nothing made me think it would be 
something I might like especially well.  For example, I didn't much go for 
the Arcade Fire CD or Neural Milk Hotel, two reference points that keep 
coming up... I mean, I heard them, I could understand that they were good, a 
"saw" the appeal-- but it was wasted on me.

Whereas when the Strokes record came out, I thought I would like it, because 
I like Television.  It sounds like Television to me, and I like it.  I'm a 
big fan of the RIYL concept.

Conversely, I've been moved to buy records based on bad reviews; I remember 
Cheap Trick's Next Position Please being panned because Rundgren produced it 
with a heavy hand, and so it sounded more like him then them.  Being a fan 
of his, I promptly went out and bought it.