Most minimal tracks would sound completely lifeless without decent mastering.

In fact, I'd warrant most techno would sound pretty hopeless without mastering.

Maybe jazz, or some other form of music can be musically rich, complex and interesting enough to shine through poor mastering, but a track made out of a load of drum machines samples needs a lot of life breathing into it to make it impressive.

OOOOH! A 909 clap! The last thing I was expecting and and and and NO WAY! A SNARE ROLL!