How we consume music. Or is it just me?

I don't think that's your imagination, I think it's your taste in production - a highly subjective thing of course (not that I'm not saying those albums are well produced!).

What is good production? Is it raw or polished?

Yeah, you're right - I guess production and recording are yet another aspect of music which are subjective to personal taste...
Maybe that's what makes it such an interesting 'art form', as Morrissey would call it