Third is good, but Dummy edges it out for me because of “Sour Times”. That- as well as certain other songs by other artists in other genres- is a great illustration of the power and importance of making music that stands out instead of blending in.
I was part of running a new record label’s focus group session for their stable of young rappers. One of the rappers had sampled some bouzouki music, but it was waaaay down in the mix. I explained to the label’s CEO/50% owner that making that sample more prominent in the mix could greatly improve the odds of success for that track. Her first reaction was a surprised double-take that I had even noticed the sample. After that passed, she asked me what I was talking about. I pointed out “Sour Times” as an example- its use of unfamiliar instrumentation cut through everything else that was on the radio at the time. Love it or hate it, you knew in SECONDS that song was playing, eliciting the appropriate reaction.
