The two songs you've heard are probably "Breaking The Rules" and "Let Me Go Where My Pictures Go"? They are the 'poppiest' songs they ever recorded, so I wouldn't say they're typical... I prefer some other stuff they did. Mostly it's musically and lyrically weirder, darker and not that straighforward. But I don't think that they're as 'hard to listen to' as they're supposed to be - well, in comparison with most of today's indie bands, yes, but I think they're easier to listen to than many of the post-punk bands of that era. Rhythm and structure might be unusual and sometimes chaotic, but the songs are very melodic and her singing is engaging, although unusual (suddenly starting to scream when you don't expect it...)It took me a while to actually start liking them... now I can't get enough.
If you decide to buy a CD, buy either "The Visit/The Seduction" reissue, or the compilation "The Damage". I prefer the former. Those two together make up the most of their best stuff. But don't start with "Pickpocket/Danger Came Smiling" reissue. The first 6 tracks on that are similar to the rest of their stuff, but the rest are from the album "Danger Came Smiling", which is really weird experimental jazz record. It's not that I don't like it, I do now, but many people might be put off by it, esp. in the beginning.