STRAITS SLAM

Kudos to Terry Atkinson for his slam review of the new Dire Straits album (Record Rack, May 26). Sure, Mark Knopfler is a guitar “whiz,” but what makes him think that mere talent and artistic vision are enough to make it in the music business?

We all know that actual competency on one’s instrument accounts for only 5% of what it takes to be successful.

Come on, not one member of this band has his hair streaked orange or wears even a shred of lace! This band is so untrendy that I was actually able to buy fairly decent seats at a fairly intimate local venue for their show in August.

Hey, Terry, any chance I could get you to slam the next Police or Springsteen album?

M.L. TATRO

Downey