Is it just one album that wasnt ripped right or any VBR MP3? Have you tried a standard 192/2xx/320 MP3?
Well I just went back and re-read everything and see it is just the VBR you seem to be having issues with as you said the 192 plays fine. So again, is this something you ripped or downloaded? I use
Pocket Player to play all my music. You can try that also to see if it works. But it sounds like to me you already know what the issue is. You just need to stay away from VBR and go with Constant MP3s
[EDIT] Dont be scared to do the Kitchen. It looks indimidating at first as it is new to you and a lot of options as you put it. But once you get used to it you will do it several times for fun.