I'm a firm believer in what Dale Carnage said in that if you don't like someone you just haven't looked hard enough...

A good reviewers should do this...

Hey, I'm not saying to sugar-coat or lie but to find other bands or individuals with which to compare the music... This gives the reader a better understanding of what they could expect if they were to spend their $$$ on someone's CD...

There are some bands and/or performer who I think suck so if I were doing a review of someone's CD I'd point out what I liked and compare the rest to those bands/performers...

However, if I really like someone's work, like Bruce Murdock's for instance, I'd say it in a more forceful manner...

B~