Has anyone mentioned Dave Gregory and/or Andy Partridge?  I think both are
quite inventive and their unorthodox styles have been influential for many
an art pop combo....:)

 While I dig Tom Verlaine, I liked Richard Lloyd's Television solos even
better, especially on the "Marquee Moon" cd...which is one of my favourite
guitar albums of all time.  Give this cd a chance...some will find
Verlaine's voice difficult at first, but stick with it as this is, I
believe, one of the most original works of any period in rock.

I also vote for Mitch Easter.  Make sure to pick up the Collector's Choice
reissues of the Let's Active catalog and experience the highly consistent,
extremely melodic, quirky genius of Mitch.

Brian