I would probably go as far to say that the last 25 years of popular music were questionable, but really we're talking about POP music and we're talking about the music, not the engineering right?
Maybe I'm missing something...
Last I checked big Nick, is that you're an up and coming engineer. Engineering (AFAIC) is about the CRAFT and the SCIENCE first. Your beef with most folks around here seems to be more about taste which to me is kinda missing the point... I let that kinda stuff get to me in my twenties (as a musician) and it prevented me from learning a shit-ton about music and life.
I'm not going to talk shit about your record (i'm into shit far more out-there than that), but it sounds to me like you need to spend some time learning about the music making process (not just the engineering) in order for your production to grow. Once you have a firm grasp on the whole deal, maybe people will appreciate your angle (which I think isn't all that bad IMO).
I'm all for opinions, and I think yours are totally fine, just make sure you can back it up!