Cleverjewishpun, I hear what you are saying about the pedals, it’s just that I seem to be able to get all of the sounds I want for recording from my amp and software. Pedals, for me, would mostly just be for ease-of-use. Of course, some sounds can’t really be reproduced by an amp or software.
I understand how solo guitarists’ albums may be “boring”, but I still enjoy a good solo album. Some are better than others. Some have more “complete” songs and some are just a random collection of riffs and solos. But I like both.
I have played live a few times, and there is nothing like it, but I also enjoy just sitting back and jamming myself. Since I play the drums also, I can pretty much compose and record a complete song myself (with an effect for a bass guitar sound).