Article submission websites whilst they generate more backlinks, I'd have to say that there not quality links that you are building. I've found blog articles are much more effective for improving your SERPs, and I've had the likes of Mapquest asking me to blog about a new feature of their website. The added advantage with blog articles is that they can also generate traffic depending if the blog article is on the same theme as the blog, and how popular the blog actually is.
What is the basis for this opinion of yours? COOL I agree. Variety of blogs pointing back is very good especially if the blogs are very popular with good PR.