I agree with your overall theory, except that I don't think any of their work in the 90s really merely replicates their influences. Achtung Baby doesn't really sound like any 'Madchester ' album; it's just similarly inspired by krautrock and Berlin Bowie.

Pop was the first U2 album I ever heard, and bought, so maybe that's why I never got why people were so antipathetic towards them for their supposed bombastic super-sincerity: because for me they had always had one foot in goofy self-deprecation.

I would never mix with the original mix of 'Discotheque'. I love the way that guitar riff pounds in, and then later when it returns all distorted and freaky.

"That the record didn’t take off was somewhat perplexing. Pop emerged in the midst of the brief U.S. mainstream electronic boom of the late ’90s, "

What are you referring to here?

What ever happened to that 'Teargarden By Kaleidyscope' project? What I heard of that was pretty great.

I was disappointed in Raising Sand frankly. Too low key and samey to my ears.
But Plant's 'best of' collection Sixty Six To Tinbutu reveals what a diverse and fruitful solo careers he's had.
And the Unledded album with Jimmy Page contains the best version of 'Kashmir' ever. EVER.

"Ryan Adams is nothing if not consistent."

Rock N Roll is where I fell in love with Ryan Adams. It signified that he wasn't going to remind tied to the 'wistful singer-songwriter' idiom (no matter how many people want him to).
Love & Hell is my favourite.

Given that the song is essentially an ersatz Led Zeppelin with Donovan replacing Robert Plant, it's naturally menacing.

HeroQuest was the best! I wish I still had my copy.
I do still have my complete copy of Talisman, which is king of all fantasy themed board games.

This is true also.

This is legitimately a GREAT JOB internet

I don't really agree. I think there are legitimate reasons to hate on a piece of art: It's lazy, it's simplistic, it's hateful, it's pandering, it's derivative, etc.
Those are all debatable criteria of course, but at least they're a reason to say, "This piece of art is in some definable way worse than others"

So this guy hates a great song for a shallow, facetious reason that is debunked after the first exchange with the interviewer.

Pitchfork still reflexively despises any kind of sincere rock-derived music. Viz: the review of the new Gaslight Anthem record.

According to my research, disco record sales were up 400% for the year ending 1976. If these trends continues… AAY!

You know what? Radha Mitchell in Pitch Black isn't an example of fridging. She saves Riddick's life, and then the movie ends. It's more of a nihilistic twist than fringing.

Walk without rhythm, and it won't attract the Molemen

Sweeeeeet.
No snark from me. This is legit good news. Bill Paxton delivered in his guest slot, so here's hoping MacLachlan gets as juicy a role.