Really, "guilty pleasures" are with all of us. Some are just more shy than others about acknowledging them.
1) Emilie Autumn, especially Opheliac. Completely artificial soundspace -- indeed, "artifice" is a key term. Her persona may be a creation, her apparently autobiographical lyrics may be fiction . . . and there's a pretty good chance "Emilie Autumn" isn't her real name. But there's a glory in the assurance with which she sells this. Distorted vocals, electric violin, drum machines, layers of synth: it's not audiophile gold by a long shot. But it's fun!
2) The Dresden Dolls. This pair of musicians make more sheer racket than a piano, singer, and drum kit ought to be capable of creating. There's virtuosity here, but it's mostly in the percussion and the production. They were mining the Weimar/Weill vein and updating it for the 21st century. There are only three albums; the eponymous one has the most recognizable songs.
3) Evanescence's first album, Fallen. I didn't know Christian-Goth-Pop-Metal was a thing. Not only is it a thing, it's a fun thing. But not . . . um, serious.
One catch to acknowledging some guilty pleasures is that others may find pleasure in those things without guilt. I mean no offense, should any "plague rats" or "muffins" read this post.
