One resource is the NET Bible (New English Translation), which can be viewed online or downloaded for free at www.bible.org. It has extensive footnotes explaining why the translators chose to translate a certain passage the way they did. I think they've done a great job, but the great thing is they let you decide.
As someone mentioned, a good literal translation is the New American Standard Bible. Another good literal translation is the English Standard Version.
For a thought-for-thought translation instead of a word-for-word translation, a good translation is the New International Version.
Good luck in your search for a good translation of the Bible.