I always thought that Explosions in the Sky's "Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Die" is a good introduction to post-rock. It's much more 'rock' than something like GY!BE and much more accessible than Gastr Del Sol and other stuff like that.

Mogwai's "Rock Action" is also a great album, but does feature vocals on a handful of tracks.

Hymn To The Immortal Wind's one of my favorite albums ever.

Have you listened to Earth Division yet? Great stuff.

While I enjoy Godspeed, I find my post-rock fallback time and time again is Red Sparowes. Seeing them live a year ago really opened me up to their music, and now I can't get enough of them. Also love Explosions in the Sky, A Silver Mt. Zion, and This Will Destroy You.

I'm not a huge fan of the more vocally-oriented stuff; I've really struggled with getting into artists like Mono. I appreciate the music, but it just doesn't set the same kind of vibe for me that the purely instrumental stuff does.

is everything post rock now that doesn't have big hair and sound like Bon Jovi?

I've always been confused about this catagory. (DoHlt)

This confuses me since Mono is instrumental. But I know what you mean. I myself like some post-rock bands with vocals (EF, Jeniferever, Immanu El, Ioseb, Sigur Rós) but there are many that I just can't enjoy...

it's not a sub-genre i'm particularly fond of, i like post-metal or post-hardcore more

i only really dig Talk Talk's last 2 albums and Sigur Ros' Takk

What?! You like post-metal and post-hardcore (hope you've heard of *shels, if not, check em out) but not post-rock?

Hammock, Explosions in the Sky, The Album Leaf, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Stafrænn Hákon - I'm sure you've heard some

^^what are the best albums by respective bands?

It's not their best, but Slow Riot For New Zero Kanada is probably the best place to start with Godspeed. It's short (by their standards), accessible, and has all of the trademark Godspeed elements.

Their best is, in my opinion, Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven.