Without mentioning Jimi, AC/DC or Zep

Slint: Spiderland
Helmet: Betty
Shihad: Killjoy (New Zealand band)
Bailter Space: Wammo (NZ again)
Tool: Aemima (I know most of you think Tool are shit, but this one is solid gold)
Mogwai: Young Team
Mogwai: My Father my King

That's my 5 cents...

I'm sure I'll wanna change it in 10 mins

Gramsci wrote:this one is solid gold

Funny you should say that

Gang of Four - Solid Gold; Entertaiment!
Gorguts - Obscura
Sonic Youth - Evol; Sister; Daydream Nation
Television - Marquee Moon
Tar - Jackson (it's just big)
Godflesh - Slavestate / many others
Big Black - Atomizer
Fred Frith - his work in general
Derek Bailey - Music and Dance
Mahavishnu Orchestra - The Inner Mounting Flame
Tony Williams Lifetime - Emergency!
Captain Beefheart - Trout Mask Replica
Mx-80 - Out of the Tunnel

Hella impressed me, but I'd have to listen to them again.

In some bands it's way more a matter of ensemble playing than especifically the guitar work, IMO that would be the case with Fugazi, Slint, The Jesus Lizard and TFUL282.

classics (yet missing)

Big Star
The Kinks ( The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society )
Richard & Linda Thompson
The Who at Monterey
Ry Cooder's first
JOHNNY GUITAR WATSON!!!!!

darktowel wrote:Big Star

Not that I know THAT much about the history of rock music, but..

I think that the way Big Star handled the many, many guitar overdubs and songwriting was incredible, especially for their time. It sounds pretty straightforward, but when you look at it, it's really pretty experimental, especially for the 70's. They were able to write great pop songs and do things in the studio that sound normal but were actually pretty far out there.

Not that they were necessarily the first to do it that way. Like I said, I don't know THAT much about the history of rock music. And not that overusing guitar overdubs is really a great thing all of the time, but it sometimes works, especially in their case.

I certainly agree.
It's not that they were more 'complex' or 'sofisticated than other bands
that were around. Same with the Kinks; it's all basic guitar stuff that's just very well arranged. The Kinks' song 'picture book' is a great example it's basically a real 'bonehead' riff, but they put these great harmonies on top! The Ramones are also skilled arrangers cuz' they just keep it simple (minimalist?).
As far as studio technique goes...I think it's very dubious. Experiment was/is essential technique (for me anyway) . But the experiment sometimes becomes a novelty act ( some people just want some weird shit stuffed in ...whatever that may be!!! ).
This is luckily not the case with The Kinks or Big Star (or say..the Beach boys for that matter).

Drive Like Jehu - Yank Crime: I like this one for playing approach and tones.

High on Fire - The Art of Self-Defense: Buzzes like a mofo. Wins downtuners award.

The Boom - Movin' Out: Sweet tone for sick blues.

Pagey's tone on No Quarter is sweet. Engage the bridge pickup.

Dittos: Lizard, Shellac, Hot Snakes, Mule, Rev. Austin, Josh Homme, old Angus, I've only heard Marquis Moon a couple of times - but I remember the tone being striking.

Shellac - 1000 hurts
Chris Cornell - Euphoria Mourning
Nina Nastasia - Blackened Air
(I think everything is great about this record, but i actually really enjoyed the few spots where i heard electric guitar, which in my opinion couldn't be more tasteful, and obviously her acoustic playing)

These may actually be just the 3 best records of all time. And the aformentioned Jesus Lizard's "Goat".

most great ones covered, one that immediately comes to mind which i don't recall seeing and that had a guitar sound that influenced many already listed (dinojr, other grungey stuff, jehu, hotsnakes, etc.) the wipers - over the edge

Taking this in another direction:

-Django Reinhardt - Django Reinhardt et Ses Rythmes (1953)

-Les Paul - The New Sound

-The Hot Club of America - In Hi-Fi

-Jimmy West & Speedy Bryant - Stratosphere Boogie

There are, in fact, many great guitar records made before 1966. These are only a smattering of my favorites...

Bantam Rooster - Deal Me In