1. The Killers
It's sometimes tricky to evaluate a new band in the first flush of success and we thought Hot Fuss might just have something. Then came that tosh about being human or dancer and some po-faced interviews and the game was up.
2. Radiohead
Okay, let's get controversial. For many, the very pinnacle of rock as art, for the enlightened few a pretentious dirge with some very lame lyrics and time signatures that make you want to hurt somebody.
3. Bon Jovi
Almost everyone has, at one time or another, really enjoyed hearing 'Living On A Prayer'. But how about 'Blaze Of Glory' or 'Always' (which 'always' sounds flat to the Vicar's ears)? About thirty years past their use-by date.
4. The Kooks
Knowing these hippy, dippy guitar slingers were actually put together at a theatre school should have been warning enough. Hearing their material should then have condemned them to the dumper. But no ...
5. Dire Straits
As with the Jovis, it was half decent debut single syndrome with Knopfler's lot. 'Sultans of Swing' was followed by a seemingly endless stream of tripe on twangy Stratocasters. Just try 'Twisting By The Pool' if you're unconvinced.
6. Queen
Admittedly Mercury could hold a crowd, but so could Christopher Biggins in drag and all too often the band were a pantomime Led Zeppelin with songs as dumb as an ox.
7. Fugees
Of all the thrilling moments inspired by hip-hop, it is rather depressing that poor Roberta Flack and Stylistics cover versions disrupted by shouts of 'one time' and 'in da house' are some of the most popular.
8. UB40
These fellas did manage an atmospheric and intelligent debut album, but didn't hesitate to rush headlong into album after album of corny covers and populist reggae for folks who don't like reggae.
9. Rod Stewart
You know what? 'The Killing of Georgie' is a great record. But that does not excuse 'Baby Jane', 'Rhythm of My Heart' or ... good grief ... his American Songbook nonsense. Actually says football is more important to him than music. It shows.
10. Tom Jones
The myth that Jones has an incredible voice is one of the longest running in the music biz. The truth is the silver fox has just one style and that is pub singer operating fog horn. Bad dancer to boot.
11. The Arctic Monkeys
Controversy time again. But are we actually listening to the same band as the people who adore the Yorkshire scamps. Fun in a jingly jangly way, but a bit of proportion wouldn't go amiss.
12. Genesis
So which did you prefer? The prog rock, concept album, fancy dress Gabriel years? Or the anodyne, stadium friendly, salesman pleasing Collins era? Neither? Nor us.
13. Frank Sinatra
Loathed rock and roll. Never wrote a song. Pals with murderers. Almost no range. The fact that 'A Very Good Year' is outstanding doesn't excuse Ol' Blue Eyes from the list.
14. P Diddy
As with the Fugees, it is tragic that one of hip-hop's most successful stars is one of its most untalented and uninspired. Lord knows who buys his rotten records.
15. Nickleback
Some of the acts listed here manage to present at least one song in mitigation. Not this lot. Derivative, dull, pointless and pathetic in equal measures, there is no earthly reason why anyone would need to own one of their miserable albums. And yet, they sell by the tanker load. There truly is no accounting for taste.
Magnus Shaw, 2010
