you have a point certainly That's why each individual should try listening for himself
hm
imagine that a popular track wasnt always popular.
meaning , in the beginning noone knew Hallucinogen.
Noone knew Kox Box either.
Why Hallucinogen became more popular than Kox Box, meaning that so many people consider hallucinogen as "the top"?
"peer influence" could be a reason to an extent, from a certain time period afterwards[when an artist has reached a specific level of recognition]
but there are other factors as well..
promotion, the majority's taste, luck/timing ,hm.
EDIT
would like to add though
it doesnt necessarily mean that if someone likes hallucinogen or thinks he's the best then his choice is influenced