What is your favorite example of this dynamic outside of the Pixies? I know they get a lot of credit for "inventing" it but it's been around in popular music for a long time. Mine is "Greenback Dollar" by the Kingston Trio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9Jh4KjPP-o
i like the live Closer much better http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8gz4_jvRHk the production on the studio version isn't so good, drums are muddy and guitars are too low in the mix, i think.
Really just an excuse to post something from my joint favourite band of all time, Cardiacs (no 'the' for them either). Definitely LOUDquietLOUD, though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrqXxPRHXWY