Suzumiya Haruhi and a question

I have noticed that some people on my flist have seen the anime The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi (Suzumiya Haruni no Yuutsu), but not many (or are people just not talking about it?). Is it not that popular or something? I mean, it's such a great parody of a huge anime genre and a fun story in and of itself. There's something extremely appealing about the idea that the person around whom the entire world revolves around is not aware of that fact, and that everyone else around her does. The dry, cynical voice of the narrator helps a lot, too.

It was a shock to find out recently that the voice actress of Haruhi in The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi can sing...and that she sang the opening and the songs the character sings in the school festival. So with that knowledge I downloaded her character single, and yes she can sing. I like the first and third tracks, because they are upbeat and fun. I uploaded the first three tracks (removing the karaoke tracks):

The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi Character Song Vol. 1 - Suzumiya Haruhi (Hirano Aya)

And from the school festival: God Knows...

I keep meaning to rewatch the series in chronological order but haven't gotten around to it. I wonder how different the experience will be? I am very attached to linear storylines (yes, I'm boring), or at least storylines that don't jump around too much (far too jarring for my taste). I felt that while the order they broadcast in was interesting (and I do like the placement of the last broadcast episode as last) it was a bit frustrating to try to put each episode in context as I watched it. And oh man was the first episode difficult to get through.

BTW, would anyone be interested in a summary of the third Only the Ring Finger Knows CD drama similar to the summary I did for the second one? I figured I wouldn't bother because the third book is coming out in October, but if people want one I can do it.