With the dumbing down of North American kulture fait accompli, it's good to see its dulling down is well under way.

In the music industry, anyway.

The tip off was this year's Grammy Awards, which rewarded Norah Jones over and over again for little more than being patently inoffensive and mildly entertaining.

Of course, the prince to Jones' princess of plain was American singer-songwriter John Mayer.

Although he only won one from his two nominations -- for male pop vocal performance -- his presence at the award show, including the nominee announcement ceremony, gave immense credibility to the young artist and his underwhelming sophomore album, Music for ... er, sorry, Room for Squares.

Now, as the world stifles a yawn and scratches itself, Mayer releases his third disc Heavier Things, an equally just-OK collection of soft 'n' clean AC for those who miss the dangerous days of Bruce Hornsby.

There's nothing terribly wrong with the 10 songs that make up Heavier Things -- other than the fact there's nothing here that even remotely carries any weight or power.

It all just kind of strolls nondescriptly and nonchalantly in one ear and out the other, barely registering, certainly stirring nothing inside that could be called a strong feeling -- positive or negative.

It's just there, barely, doing its job by providing white noise for middle-aged, middle-class office managers when they're at work or fondueing with old friends.

In other words, dulling down the world one dinner party at a time.

Fait accompli. (More on John Mayer)

Track Listing
1. Clarity
2. Bigger Than My Body
3. Something's Missing
4. New Deep
5. Come Back To Bed
6. Homelife
7. Split Screen Sadness
8. Daughters
9. Only Heart
10. Wheel