Repetitve vs non-repetitive music?

[Akos89]

Maybe I'm wrong but I think a trend started quit a few years ago that new bands use less and less reperition in their songs. Mostly in prog/tech/avantgard/dissonant bands.

I don't really like this approach, since there isn't too much to grab on, and most of the time if there's a good idea or riff, I would like to hear it again. I get the idea that "it tries to tell a story", but I don't really feel any strucutre in these songs.

Which one do you prefer, and why don't like the other?

What do you think, what would be the "optimal" middle ground?

 

[Werecow]

If a riff i like comes up in a song, i definitely like the song to hang around with it for a while.
I've heard the other approach called "riff salad" , and i don't think i've liked any song that's been described as that. I've described them myself as like being in a guitar shop, listening to several guitarists all noodling at the same time, because the parts generally don't feel like they go together to me.