Stereo Field... lola vs. powerman

[cat-eggs]

hi.

i was listening to lola vs. powerman today, and i think it's one of the most pleasant albums to listen to, mix-wise.

one thing i noticed is how wide everything is spaced out... a banjo and a piano panned in different directions really, really widely.

when i pan wide, things start sounding awkward and annoying, and mono compatibility is shot. how do you get away with a really wide stereo field? is anybody familiar with this album who might be able to lend some insight?

or some insight on wide panning in general?

thanks