ART is founded on criticism.

It is great to read a frank review that is free from the all too common kiwi slap on back didn't you do well attitude to every thing New Zealand made.

I recall at times like this the TV news reader that commented after the Tui Awards a couple of years back:

"Didn't New Zealand do well at the Tui's last night"

haha

After reading this review I understand where Simon is coming from. But I can't help but feeling it was a little harsh and unprofessional to say the least. I urge Simon to listen to Frank Zappa's "Packard Goose" from the "Joes Garage" album. This tune was specifically written for music reviewers like him. - And as Frank would have said himself "Put down his pencil and have himself a squat on the cosmic utensil". Music critics can be more than a little pretentious at times, not just the composers and musicians.

I didn't go to the concert but I'm completely with Simon Sweetman on this. The Bushman are part of this meandering stoner genre in New Zealand music at the moment, it's casual jammy backyard barbecue music and it's not fooling me, not Simon and probably not a lot of other people. Simon is a cut to the guts reviewer. Let's face it, the Bushman aren't laid back they're aimless. John Psathas is a great composer and has a generous spirit and this was a paid gig for him, he sees the good side of it and does his job, but he'll be moving on to the next project pretty quickly, and meanwhile back at the barbecue the Bushman will be spliffing up and jamming some more 'feels' for the next album.

Music critics are for people who don't know how to form an opinion for themselves - people who look for external reassurance, justification or guidance over what they are listening to.

Who needs their experience of music to be mediated by one person?

The reviewer either has an inflated sense of himself and his opinions, or he is at least trying to convince others that his opinions are worth more than theirs.

Thank you Mr Psathas for creating beauty in this world and for seeking to expand musical boundaries beyond the rigid genres constructed by commercialism.

You have to be so insecure about your opinion of a concert if you get that upset over what a reviewer says in a review.

Emma and Pesamino it's funny that you race to personal attacks instead of actually saying what you liked about the concert.

Maybe there wasn't enough you liked about the concert to actually critique what the reviewer said?

And I personally love the idea that you think a reviewer should be sacked or not be allowed to review a concert that you liked.

How lame is that? That you only want to read reviews that are gushing to remind yourself that yes, your opinion is the 'right' one.

If I liked a concert it doesn't matter what the reviewer says. Maybe I'm less insecure that you folks.

I suggest we donate $200 to this reviewer to go down to a local brothel which would perhaps improve his view of the world.

Life's not that bad buddy. There's no need to be sour grapes to talented people you think are more awesome than yourself.

What an appalling review. I agree with the poor taste of leaving the doors open in the GA area, but alas I'm disappointed the reviewer didn't accurately reflect the beauty of the performance. Yes, most of the attendees would have been there regardless of NZSO but I would suggest that could be pinned down to poor marketing on Little Bushman's behalf.

Perhaps the reviewer doesn't have an appreciation of Bushman's genre and would have been better served tucked up in bed with a Milo watching Shortland Street for a 'proper' dose of what it's like to live in a South Pacific paradise. If you only experienced 'seconds of pure pleasure' then I have the upmost compassion for you.

I'm disappointed the DomPost could only drag this reviewer out of the back office to turn up on Friday evening - I thought you would have had a little more culture.