Server 2012 (as it is officially known) does feature the Modern interface sported by Windows 8, Windows RT and Windows Phone. It has changed. One UI to rule them all... Shock horror. A single user experience regardless of platform. Why that's lunacy, to reduce the learning curve. Why would anyone want to do that?
To be blunt, the interface is not as terrible as many make out. Most of the ramblings and bashing come from old school techs that are afraid of change. It's a typical human trait. We can't blame them. Personally, I jumped onboard the train 18 months ago with Windows Phone and am now quite used to the new paradigm. It actually works very well when you shift your mindset.