You hit the monkey on the bungus.

I notice that as I refine my tracking/mixing workflow and get a little better at it, I end up casting a brighter spotlight on what I'm playing and how I'm playing it. The more my recording skills improve, the more my playing has to.

It really is startling how recording develops your ears in ways playing live doesn't (as much). Even my drummer pal who plays twice a week gigging says that after working with me in the studio he has gotten tighter and sharpened his timing. The mics just don't lie.