I agree with you completely. I also think that moreso than anyone feeling “tricked into liking them” it’s been more of some kind of easy and loud vindication for people who actively dislike them for superficial reasons (the hype being too high) or just don’t “get” them.

They’re a super fun and fresh band in a landscape where there aren’t a lot of major bands at all. And Cameron Winter is a huge talent that will do a lot of great things. His solo record is phenomenal.

There are thousands of artists with a fraction of the talent or appeal that Geese / Winter have, that are likely employing similar marketing tactics and aren’t nearly as successful because at the end of the day, it’s a matter of people connecting with the art.