The problem I had with the article is he didn't prove that these interfaces impede functionality. I don't know the market well enough but you seem to be a user

The problem I had with the article is he didn't prove that these interfaces impede functionality. I don't know the market well enough but you seem to be a user of Reason and the interface obviously appeals to you. Same with iBooks. I know people who love the faux-3d book pages and who swear it enhances the experience for them. Perhaps the author has a point about them not being proportional but that would be a suggestion to make the effect more useful. Not a reason not to use it. Skeumorphic design elements are, by definition, decorative elements that CAN enhance functionality. So even if they don't enhance functionality they're still acceptable as long as they don't impede it.