Yes, we are drawn to the difference / dissonance, but still need it to come out tidy in the end.
Good examples in those links Mike. They make the point perfectly.
I'm working on a different piece now, and using a riff which 'suggests' a flattened 5th where there is'nt one. I always think of a flattened 5th as a special note. It belongs nowhere except in transition, and it pretty much always sounds good.
I am starting to think of music as a sort of narrative (or have that potential anyway), where the music can tease the listener and even lead him astray a little bit.
Actually, it nice place to be.