TiredOfShouting, I'm with you in a lot of ways. It seems like a lot of the bikes have a very in-your-face, loud look and feel. Sort of like Boy George died and was reincarnated as a bicycle. I can't really comment on the higher end carbon fiber racing bikes, I just don't have a lot of experience with those. If you're primarily looking for a good road bike to take out riding for exercise, light touring, etc, here are some of that I think might meet your needs...but that would obviously be completely up to you.

Waterford/Gunnar (for extra they will give you a custom paint job)
Soma
Velo Orange
Rivendell
Koga Miyata
Co-motion

Here are a couple from REI that I think look good and which, IMO, are pretty good bang for the buck...

http://www.rei.com/product/816068/no...onee-bike-2013
http://www.rei.com/product/837485/no...rita-bike-2013

Also, I think that Raleigh is sort of making a come back. For a while they just didn't impress me but lately they are starting to catch my eye again.

http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/stee...ng/clubman-13/
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/stee...ng/sojourn-13/
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/stee...ernational-13/
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/stee...grand-prix-13/
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/stee...record-ace-13/

If you're on a more strict budget, there are plenty of quality bikes out there that look great.