I think "it depends".

We spent decades trying to find perfect timing, and now that we have it, we consider it robotic. So now there is drum software with a "Humanize" function that screws up the timing just a tad.

But I think a click track is usually the way to go. You can achieve feel and swing by the dynamics of your playing. Sometimes it's best to record a live band without a click, or a guitar/vocal performance.

But the click isn't being recorded...the playing is. You can still mess with the beat by strumming just a bit ahead of it or behind it to give it a sense of rush or lag. I'd say 90% of the time, the click doesn't stink at all. It's your friend.

http://www.soundclick.com/MarkKaufman