Tips for using complex time signatures in a "catchy" pop song?

Question

I'm looking to write some music in the vein of a band I discovered recently called Icarus The Owl, who use some pretty wacky time signatures (anything from 21/16 into weirder territories) but always manage to retain catchy hooks and vocals.I'm wondering if there's a trick to getting this right, I've attempted it in the past and find that if I wander beyond fives or sevens it gets VERY convoluted. My trouble seems to emanate from trying to retain the pulse of the song, particularly with cymbals.I'm by no means a jazz expert, but I'd love to see relevant information or tips regarding any style of music at all, not just this kind of post-hardcore'y pop-punk'y stuff!Here's an example of what I'm looking at, from what I've gleaned it begins in 17/16 then moves into 9/8, and later into 3/4 and 4/4.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg3DqaKTFIs

Answer 1

1) Take a look at the denominator of the time signature. That’s giving a clue as to what kind of note to use.

2) If 16th notes are too complicated, use 8th notes or quarter notes. If using quarter notes, make sure to count 4 sixteenth notes per quarter.

3) if keeping the sixteenth notes, you will be practicing the music at a slower pace. Is that what you want? When practicing slower you will give your brain the time to study the music.

You may be playing the music way too fast, which is why you may be running out of options causing you to almost give it up.