why would there be a backlash?
Because a lot of people like them, which apparently is reason enough to hate something you once liked.
You got this exactly right, MOP. I used to assist on shifts on the local college radio station, and I specifically remember that every person that worked there practically worshipped U2 until Sunday Bloody Sunday started playing on MTV, and overnight they became pariahs. We had an advance copy of The Cars debut, it was a big office favorite.....until it got released and they immediately started playing "My Best Friend's Girl" on the local commercial rock station. REM, same story. In my opinion, it's one type of bad thing to like something because all of the tattooed and pierced people do, but it's at least as bad to dislike something because you saw some some hard hat grooving to it. Look to yourself to form your opinions, not to your environment. What are you, 14?