Puzzling defensiveness

About 25 years ago, I was reading a rock critic's compilation of album reviews.  Three people, at separate times, upon seeing me read it or flipping through it themselves, had variations of the same reaction.  "I'm not sure I'd need something like this," one of them said.  "I have my own opinions." I thought, "No one's saying that you can't or shouldn't have your own opinions about music.  No one has heard every piece of recorded music, though, so chances are, if you read enough reviews, you'll find something that sparks your interest."