1995
The year the music died.
IMO.
After watching portions of music countdown show I noted that the year I stopped finding anything worthy in pop music was 1995. The specific countdown details the top boyband in each year since 1982. In the beginning we had Wham! In the middle we had East 17 and Take That which, despite reservations, I appreciated then, and can still do so. The change was in 1995 when the "best" band anyone could find was MN8. Followed by Boyzone in 1995, then Five, Backstreet Boys and Blue in each consecutive year. Even Let Loose (the winner in 1994) had a better single than the others.
My belief was concreted a week later when watching a countdown of the best debut singles. Again 1995 was the tipping point. Prior to this I enjoy Oasis, Tasmin Archer's Sleeping Satellite (also my candidate for the most subtle un-subtle message in a number 1, ever), and Dee-Lite's Groove is in the Heart.
In 1995, the best debut was Boyzone.
The case for the prosecution rests, your honour.