Don't quote me on this, but I think about two years ago Chuck Klosterman wrote an essay in Spin about how modern rock songs rarely have multiple and distinct sections such as in Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" or "Roundabout" by Yes. Two obvious modern exceptions being "Paranoid Android" by Radiohead and "Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand.
Another thing that rarely happens in songs is letting the music play for a while before breaking into the lyrics. For a prime example of this check out "All My Friends" by LCD Soundsystem.
I think of this today as I listen to The Battle Royale. Their song "Racecar" begins with nearly a minute of what could be described as electro music that could be confused for a new song by The Rapture. And, to be honest, it is initially hard to believe that the song "Scream Scream" is by the same band. It has the feel of a darker Polyphonic Spree song not about the freakin' sun or having a great day. The Battle Royale is a band to watch.
The Battle Royale -- Racecar
The Battle Royale -- Scream Scream
