I really liked Mike's blurbs. Fairly evocative without being overwhelming.
Are there any previews of the Monster Vault posted anywhere so we could see examples?
In principle I like the idea of a MM dripping with flavor and story hooks and monster interconnections, but the problem is that I don't generally like the type of flavor and story that WotC likes.
I advocate for including juicy elements like: climate, environment, diet, activity cycle, common lairs, procreation, lifespan, organization (size, design, roles, authority, etc.), combat defense and tactics, physiology, economy, racial relations, goods and services, magical tradition(s), deities and worship, demographics, territory claimed/ranged, fortifications built if applicable, alignment, ability score spans and ratios, saving throw breakdown, hit dice breakdown, and so on.
Roger that. Big Plus One.
And with them seemingly placing a great deal of effort into creating story material throughout NEXT, I am becoming increasingly disinterested.