What rock songs have the best crescendos with the best pay offs?
I think “Only in Dreams” by Weezer is probably a pretty popular example of this with the late crescendo being the highlight of the song.
I also think “Just One Fix” by Ministry has one of the best, pump you up, crescendos in rock.
Any others that you can think of that have a great payoff?
Somewhat obvious suggestion: “A Day in the Life” has two famous orchestral swells, with the second being the climax of the song. Probably the most famous crescendo/climax in rock history, no?
Both “Bombtrack” by Rage Against the Machine, and “Blackened” by Metallica start off with pretty kick ass crescendos.
Good call on “Only in Dreams.” One of Weezer’s best, underrated gems. (Also, it’s actually a decrescendo, followed by a crescendo, followed by the unadulterated joy that is the dueling-guitar breakdown).
Radiohead had some good ones on their album The Bends. I’m thinking “Street Spirit” and “Fake Plastic Trees,” especially. “Sit Down, Stand Up” off Hail to the Thief is essentially one long crescendo followed by a crazy techno freakout.
“A Day in the Life” is, of course, an all-time classic.
Led Zeppelin - “Dazed and Confused”.
Almost anything by Godspeed You Black Emperor (insert exclamation mark where you want). Not only are they the build up kings, but they probably take the award for the longest build ups too.
There are many post rock bands who use this device, like Mogwai and Explosions In The Sky. All good stuff.
Is it silly to say “Shout!”?
I think Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” is pretty hair-raising right as the sound-effected bridge ends and the drums swirl in to introduce the guitar solo.
Beatles. The End.
“Stairway to Heaven” is one big crescendo.
“Touch Me” by the Doors.
Velvet Underground – “Heroin”
David Bowie – “Five Years”, “Rock and Roll Suicide”
Genesis – “The Musical Box”
Pink Floyd – “Careful With That Axe, Eugene” (although that’s more of a sudden shift than a real crescendo)
King Crimson – “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part II”; “The Battle of Glass Tears”; “Starless”; “The Devil’s Triangle”; “The Sailor’s Tale”
That long scream by Daltry toward the end of “Won’t Get Fooled Again” is a pretty good one. 'Fraid I’m to old & out of touch to know the newer stuff that’s been mentioned. 
David Bowie’s Suffragette City should qualify. And almost everything by Queen.
Pepper by The Butthole Surfers (I don’t mind the sun sometimes, the images it shows)
ACDC- For those about to Rock (We Salute You)
ACDC- Rock and Roll ain’t Noise Pollution
ACDC- Thunderstruck (this one in particular)
By far, the best payoff and most kickass…
ACDC-Hell’s Bells
Mr. Mister- Kyrie
Toto- Africa
B.O.C.- Don’t Fear The Reaper
If the criterion is most extreme dynamics – crescendo – it’s got to be somewhere in the Pink Floyd “Animals” album (or DSOTMoon). Those guys hit anywhere from dead silence to some kind of awful roar within a single tune. “Sheep,” maybe? Something else is probably a better bet, like the track with the alarm clock and so forth.
Most effective crescendo – maybe something pop-oriented and kind of silly like “Rocket Man.” All that pop stuff was pretty carefully crafted to get the most out of the medium.
‘Kerosene’ by Big Black always gets me
That’s the song I immediately thought of when I read the thread title. “Across the Sea” by Weezer from Pinkerton is great as well.
All good people - Yes
Suit Madame Blue - Styx
The ‘aaahh’ crescendo/guitar solo in the Beatles’ ‘Day Tripper’ is tough to beat.
My pick…November Rain-Guns N Roses