those recommendations

Thanks for all these suggestions, Jeremy. 

This is really a tricky business, following recommendations... I've bought
a number of items based on reviews and other people raves that were not at
all what I was looking for, or what I was requesting.

Like I just bought a (used) Wondermints CD 'cause so many said that it was
"well-crafted pop" in a Beach Boys manner... but it proved far too simple
to qualify as "well-crafted." 

Now, speaking for myself (and only myself), the qualities that I seek that
are most difficult to find in other people's recommendations are: 

Being highly arranged. I get the sense that many people don't actively
listen to what's going on inside a song. They hear the voice, the lyrics,
but not the amount of work (or lack of effort) that went into putting the
song together. But it's the quality of the arrangement that makes it
rewarding to listen to a song closely, and then repeatedly. For me. 

Also then also eclecticism. As someone who grew up with Beatles I delighted
in listening to an album, the epitome is Srgt. Pepper, natch, where each
song is  *radically* different than the one before. Where you had no idea
what was coming up next, when you heard it for the first time. But the
sense I get is that for many, eclecticism = stylistic confusion. Whereas I
associate it with creativity, being fertile and original.   

On the other hand, I came upon Jane via recommendations: I asked someone to
play me something "out of the ordinary" (Maria), then learned about "The
Walking" (her apex, IMHO) reading the All Music Guide to Rock. So sometimes
these leads work.

BTW, 
If there's someone our there who is keen on arrangement and eclecticism, be
sure to locate "California" by Mr. Bungle. It's quite extraordinary, and
the most remarkable item I've come upon since Jane's Walking. It doesn't
have Jane's emotional sincerity & intensity (the content of the songs is
empty pastiche for the most part) but there are great compensations. These
guys knew what they were doing, and put many hours of work into this one. 

Bruce