I'm still plugging away at Aria, currently past 09 (the Grandma). I took a notice SDB's evaluation, or, rather, the rank, but what he wrote in support of it seemed not very persuasive. However, I remember a Russian professional review of Azumanga (I cannot find it now), where the reviewer had to drag himself through the job only to have the epiphany 3 episodes to the end (Steven didn't, BTW). I am hoping of it too w.r.t Aria, but I'll take any help I can find.

Big N makes an honest attempt at analysis in a MAL review. It's useful, although I have figured out that I should watch for characters. Indeed the washed out art does not seem too powerful, any time Aika goes "SD-like" I roll my eyes, BGM is like nails on the glass, so that leaves characters, right? I'm discounting the story, because it unfolds with the speed of romance in Kamichu.

UPDATE: Steven is not optimistic about my cause, sadly. On the other hand, I heard that subsequent seasons were better.