Reviewers and critics (and there is a great difference between the two) are essential to the performing arts, for one simple reason--they create "awareness" and build "familiarity", and without those, people don't attend concerts or buy cds.

It often doesn't even matter what is said--there are many artists who have climbed to the top because their names have been dragged through the mud. What does matter is that critics and reviewers get people talking, and that is what keeps the seats filled.