^^ Totally agree, that's the big problem with the album overall -- just that sense of blandness to it.
I think what the MB era should be best remembered for from an artistic standpoint was that it's really where she started to break out and experiment more with her work and creativity. Both sets of the AYNAF mixes were incredible, in terms of the production and the unique vocal styles for her at that point. The Dreamlover remix setup the whole David Morales relationship and pushed the expectations way up of what an artist is supposed to bring to a remix. You got the first inklings of a more urban sound with the Never Forget You single mixes and the first hints at a more sexual side with Do You Think Of Me. There was a LOT going on behind the scenes at that time, even if the stuff pushed to the forefront was fairly vanilla and bland.