Steve,
For replacing 1/8 through 1/2 watt resistors, I use metal film resistors (blue colored, smooth surface usually, tolerance 1%). Very quiet. For 1-3 watts, I usually use metal oxide resistors (usually light colored with the rough finish you mentioned). These are usually 5% tolerance, but you can get tighter if it's really needed and also quiet. Over 3W, you're generally looking at wire wound power resistors, tolerance 5% or 10%.
Pay attention to the voltage across the resistors in the application and make sure that what you use can stand the delta and absolute voltage where you install it (on the data sheets). Above a certain threshold, voltage tolerance is a function of power. Also, new stock resistors can be quite a bit smaller physically than the old style carbon comp, especially metal film resistors. Look for the size of the units in the data sheet if you think the small ones will look odd.
Alternately, you can use carbon film resistors for 1/8W through around 1W. These are usually smooth tan finish and are quieter than carbon comp resistors, but perhaps not reputed to be as quiet as metal film. Finally, some folks tout using only the original carbon comp resistors for grid stopper duty due to their more non-inductive properties--one of the duties of grid resistors is to prevent oscillation. I still usually use metal film and haven't had a problem.
The rule of thumb is to size the power rating of resistors at 2x what you expect to see in the application.
Others may see it differently, but this is what I've evolved to, but I'm always interested in other experience and points of view.
Dave