I had a bunch of my amalgam fillings replaced over the last 10 years. Composite fillings are the way to go - health reasons aside, they look much more natural.
There's also another difference between amalgam fillings and composite fillings: amalgam fillings expand slightly when setting while composite fillings contract. Thus you have a much better seal, protecting the area under the amalgam fillings much better.
That mercury scare a few years ago that prompted so many to have the old fillings replaced was wonderful for dentists' bottom line.
But as for aesthetics, you're right. Amalgam fillings look pretty nasty compared to composite fillings.