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Sgt Pepper scorned by new stars

The album regularly tops all-time favourite lists - but pop stars, DJs and journalists poured scorn on it in a poll for UK music weekly Melody Maker.

Other albums to get a roasting included Simply Red's Stars and Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill.

Even Oasis and Radiohead were criticised in the poll alongside Phil Collins and Eric Clapton.

Catatonia frontwoman Cerys Matthews, teenage pop sensation Billie and Stereophonics singer Kelly Jones were among the 60 names surveyed.

Widely regarded as a revolutionary album which changed the face of pop music, the 1967 record is often seen as the definitive psychedelic album.

But Melody Maker editor Mark Sutherland said: "This poll shows people are sick and tired of having the Beatles rammed down their throats as the greatest rock band ever. It's time to make way for great new music."

Amongst the fiercest critics was music journalist and frontman of cult band Gold Blade, John Robb.

"The over-rated artwork and ill-focused record are the benchmark of 1967 - the low water point of rock 'n' roll. It's a navel-picking collection of sixth-form poetry faking a cutting-edge credibilty.

"The four walrus moustaches are a bad sign for starters."

Others consulted included Chumbawamba's Alice Nutter, Tommy Scott from Space, club DJ Carl Cox and Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri.

Alice Nutter said of Alanis Morrissette's new album Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie: "It's so boring you fall asleep halfway through her name. Adrian Mole has grown a perm."

While Sharleen Spiteri voted for 1982 Eurovision Song Contest winner Nicole's A Little Peace.

"This stupid friend of mine at school has this album - I used to go to my friend's house every day and it was the only album she had, so we always had to listen to it."

Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was recently ousted from number one in music author Colin Larkin's survey of fans and critics in his book, the Virgin All Time Top 1000 Albums.

It slipped to number two - beaten by another Beatles record, Revolver.

Melody Maker's 20 worst albums are:

1. Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band - The Beatles
   
2. Stars - Simply Red
   
3. Jagged Little Pill - Alanis Morissette
   
4. No Jacket Required - Phil Collins
   
5. Pictures At An Exhibition - Emerson, Lake And Palmer
   
6. Be Here Now - Oasis
   
7. Labour Of Love - UB40
   
8. K - Kula Shaker
   
9. Elegant Slumming - M People
   
10. Brothers In Arms - Dire Straits
    
11. The Smurfs - The Smurfs
    
12. Kick - INXS
    
13. Slowhand - Eric Clapton
    
14. Whitney Houston - Whitney Houston
    
15. OK Computer - Radiohead
    
16. Some Great Reward - Depeche Mode
    
17. Tin Machine - Tin Machine
    
18. Wild Wood - Paul Weller
    
19. Cut The Crap - The Clash
    
20. Spartacus - The Farm

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