live vs recorded

There are some bands you see live, and you think, "This is the best music ever." Then you listen to their CD while driving your car or sitting in your room and you think, "What the hell was I thinking?" A perfect example: Against Me!
I have seen them live something like 5 times (usually about once a year), every time I go I have more fun than the time before. But when I listen to their albums I want to rip my ears off. It's abrasive, every song sounds similar, and its downright whiny.
If they come to town though, you can bet I'll shell out up to $30 to see them live because they are one of the most fun bands ever. That $30 doesn't even include train fare and beer...just the ticket.

From what I've heard of Ponytail (I'm trying to review them) and Matt & Kim I get the vibe that unless I see them in person they will always annoy me a little bit after one or two songs.

Alas, I need to clean out my ears with She & Him and Jenny Owen Youngs. Who I'd like to see live, and listen to in the computer lab while I procrastinate.