I like brick, and theres also a new product out, well, sorta new, called e-crete, its almost like block but better.
Though theres nothing wrong with matchstick homes, theyre cheaper to build, some people use the term 'these days we use 2x6 instead of 2x4 in the framing' but then, I've heard people reply 'oh good, more wood to feed the fire if the house ever burned down!'.
Nonetheless, believe it or not, brick homes arent as soundproof as one might think. somehow, that e-crete stuff absorbs a lot more sound.
Those brick homes look so......Pensylvannia-ish, too.