While I'm underwhelmed by the After School record, I think you're absolutely right about it being better than the recent SNSD and 2NE1. Skyecaptain's description of it being a watery imitation of US and British trends is spot on for 2NE1 and I think it also applies to SNSD's recent record as well as "I Got A Boy" and "The Boys". I'm tempted to say that SNSD are the most disappointing of K-Pop groups in recent years since my expectations were set so high after "Oh" but there is the one glaring exception of the wonderful "Love & Peace", which also bucks the trend of me really disliking Japanese releases by K-Pop groups.