I really appreciate your patience these past two weeks as we tried to figure out what makes music awesome. This was extraordinarily helpful for me to think through before starting this next album this year.

Now, I want to be clear that I don't believe these 7 flavors are THE 7 flavors. This was pretty stream-of-consciousness, just thinking through some different reasons why music is awesome, including:

Salt as Syncopation
Potato Chip Crunch as Beats
Sweet as Sweetness
Umami as Ethereal
MSG as the Hook
Gourmet Dining as Meaning
Sweet and Sour as Contrast

I will probably refine this list as I go through the recording process this year. But I love having this temporary cheat sheet for me to look at as we go. So, I can listen to a song, see that it sucks, and go, what ingredient might I add?

Sweet and Sour as Contrast: An essential ingredient for a full-flavored song.

The best example of this concept is the big trend in metal right now. Adding a more nasaly effeminate voice singing punk choruses in alternate to the main screamo voice. It's bizarre.

Then why are so many bands following this trend? Contrast. It's the most effective design principle, brought to music. A 1-note song instantly doubles in interest. A black and white checkerboard. A sans-serif headline with serif newsprint text. Contrast separates. Distinguishes. Adds another flavor.

In the slightly more mainstream world, we're seeing this as well, with odd voices taking center stage. Why? Simply because it's different. It creates interest. Dylan had it. Elvis had it. Whereas, every girl you see playing in a coffee house sounds the same. And they'll never stand out. But, The Tallest Man on Earth topped a lot of 2010 Best Music Lists with his latest album, which features the song, "King of Spain", embedded above. Why? Because the music isn't just good. But, it's a little weird, too.

In order to stand out, you have to be a little different.