Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

I just wondered where i could obtain both Jack Johnson's and John Mayer's "indie" offerings. To the best of my knowledge, John Mayer is a blues artist, with singer songwriter tendencies, and Jack Johnson, well, he's definately not indie.......perhaps the next review you do could compare the freewheelin Bob Dylan with Aqua, or maybe Cannibal Corpse to Nelly. For that matter, why review an album at all if you do not like it. Simply stick to what you know and review the newest Matchbox 20 and leave decent artist like Jon Mckiel alone. By the way, I gave the record a 10, which is more than i can say for Jack Johnson and his Banana Pancakes.

Editor's Note:  While it is a temptation to decree that from now on we will only publish happy and positive reviews, I fear we will only stay in your good graces until we say something glowing about someone you don't like... then we're right back to this again.  The writer's opinion has been duly noted, as has yours.  I hope we've found some middle ground.

What a joke. Jack Johnson and John Mayer aren't even in the same genre of music of Jon McKiel. McKiel is an alternative rock artist, not a singer-songwriter who writes Top 40 Adult Contemporary songs. He may be the guy who writes a lot of the music, but his band lends a lot to the proceedings as well. Jon comes from the influences of Radiohead, Pixies, Broken Social Scene, and if you want to quote any singer-songwriter, Hayden. Not coincidentally, Jon and his band recorded the album were the first two of those acts recorded huge albums.

As a music writer for years for several well-known print publications in Canada, the first rule about reviewing discs is to know your music. If you don't know the artist, research them to gain a better understanding of the artist/act. Don't assume someone shares the same influences/genre of the people you listen to. Quoting Jack Johnson and John Mayer is a gross error in judgment, musical knowledge, and music journalism.

That's not even properly criticizing the album, which is an accomplished set of introspective alternative rock. Too bad you had to smear him by poor music writing skills. I don't give out 10 out 10 to any album unless it impacts musical history. However, I feel as though I have to give it to this album to balance out the initial review.

-Johnston Farrow

-- Editor's Note:  Second rule.. don't ever lose sight of the fact that the job of a music reviewer or critic si to express an opinion. As a fellow exerciser of Freedom of Speech, I'm sure you will agree that David is entitled to his opinion in the same way you are entitled to yours.