I break them a lot, and contradict myself. I love good vocals, but sometimes a sincere lyricist will make up for lack of vocal skill. However, if I hate your voice, I will hate your band and I will hate all of your records and I will tell everyone. If it don't sound good on headphones, it ain't worth listening to. Danger and excitement are always more fun than warm fuzzies in rock and roll, but I am a sentimental hack and cry over records a lot.
Feedback is good.
Fuzzy bass is good. Reverb is good. Angst is good. So is a good sense of humor. Records that cause visual hallucinations which impair driving are the best of all.