I agree with eveything Juho has brought up except for the Bowling pin analogy.
I hear people in certain (if not all) genres copying certain styles and sounds. But there are some genres in which people copy exactly. They want to use the same riff, same production techniques and not to mention the same sounds as songs that are already released. This takes the art out of making music in my opinion. May as well become a DJ if this is what you want to do. I think to have music released (in the dance or pop scenes) it does need a familiar feel. To be noticed however it needs to have something a little different going for it - unless you have some good contacts.
I guess it all depends on what you want out of your music.