Hi,
I would recommend getting used to cpanel.
It is pretty much a standard control panel installed on most webhosting providers.
Cpanel can be confusing at first I agree. I was the same as you at first. I really do recommend sticking with it and asking the question you have and learning.
Once you start to get used to it, it is really not as scary as it first looks. And you will be happy you stuck with it.
As regards to the host, I hear very good things about
http://www.liquidweb.com