It all depends on the band. the Japanther album has probably the worst 'sound' I've ever heard on record, yet the songs are so great, that I enhoy it immensly. Conversely, if a band is nothing but sleek, overproduced radio garbage, I don't care what the production is like, it's still {censored}. I know that's not EXACLY what you were talking about, but... Oh, I also hate the prodution on Pixies albums. Namely Surfer Rosa. Having too polished a sound, like you said, definitely doesn't work for some bands.