 Originally titled <unk> , the title was changed to Seeing Sounds . Williams explained that the title was based on synesthesia , a neurological phenomenon the band learned of while watching the Discovery Channel . They were inspired to create music that could be conceived as a live show . He was surprised to learn not everyone experienced while listening to music . He described synesthesia as the outcome when " one sense gets more information than what 's intended " , stimulated by sensory deprivation . Haley further elaborated , saying that it is a mixture of senses that causes a person to experience colorful hearing and auditory smell . When the band created the album , it was the music they envisioned and decided the appropriate title for the album , Seeing Sounds . Williams pointed out that the lyrics were also inspired by synesthesia . He said that his fans want to " rock out " and be taken on an " emotional roller coaster " , and the only way to do that is to give the fans some records they could blast out on their speakers . The European @-@ influenced music is layered and textured with many music modalities , differing from their past club @-@ oriented albums . Hugo called the album a " big album of LSD , sonic drug " . The band described the album of being an exercise in creative cohesion , band unity and a renewed purpose for themselves . Williams went on to add : 
