2005: The End? - September

For the 3rd month in a row we have slightly more new entries from the rap/R&B camp than the indie/garage rock camp. This time though we have one more indie/garage rock record appear on Top of the Pops than rap/R&B. Part of the reason was because Oasis scored a number one so they had no choice but to play that. They also played the only record from that genre that scores any points in "Rebellion (Lies)" by Arcade Fire which gets half marks.

One of the R&B records they played was the one which is the worst record this month. It's the Rihanna debut single "Pon De Replay". I made a real effort to like this one, she was a new signing for Def Jam. This was the label that gave us Public Enemy amongst others. Eventually I thought who am I trying to kid, this is shit. Not only is her voice dreadful, she's inspired a whole generation of female singers to sing just as badly.

The only record from the rap/R&B camp to get any points is "Playa's Only" by R Kelly & The Game. It was taken from "TP3" reloaded which is quite possibly the newest R&B album that I own.

It was better in the dance music world but that was in part to do with recycling of older tunes. There was "Insomnia 2005" by Faithless, a decent enough remix 10 years after it was first released. Then we had "Doctor Pressure" by Mylo & Miami Sound Machine, a mash up of "Drop the Pressure" by Mylo and "Dr Beat" by Miami Sound Machine.

We also had "Jacques Your Body (Make Me Sweat)" by Les Rythmes Digitales, originally released in 1997 but given a new lease of life from being featured on the Citroen C4 advert. Sticking with car adverts, there was also "Singin in the Rain" by Mint Royale that was on the VW Golf advert. This one just gets half marks though.

The best record though comes from Transplants with "Gangsters and Thugs", which could be described as a blend of punk, rap and drum & bass. 

Here's a list of the records with the best on top, worst at the bottom and the good ones in green, OK ones in amber and rubbish ones in red (and in no particular order):

Score: 15%

Here's a look at the chart:

Maybe August was one last swan song and now the end is near.