Every time I read a review in Stereophile or any other trade publication,
the test music invariably consists of a bunch of obscure artists and
recordings (who here really listens to Rokia Traore Bowmboï?).

I usually pick up my CDs more for their musical rather than their sonic
content, and I presume that the majority of the listening public does the
same.

Why then don't these tests involce something a little more generic like U2,
Radiohead or Usher since that's what most people are listening to anyway?