Quick Bread Mix

I know it's silly, but when I bake, I tend to bake multiple things. So when I made the cookies for J, I also made Williams Sonoma's Spiced Pecan Pumpkin Spice Quick Bread which I got at a really great deal. (I'm not one to buy quick bread mixes, but you know me - I can't resist a great deal. =) It was quite dense. And flavor wise, I thought this highly raved bread was just mediocre. Maybe it was me. Maybe Williams Sonoma mixes aren't for me. I had the same disappointing experience with the popular Sprinkles Red Velvet Cupcakes. Granted, I didn't make the icing for either of them, but I was already under the impression that cakes and breads need to be delicious without relying on icing. Am I mistaken?