Boehm’s Review Was Like a Bad Dream

Arguing opinion is much like pushing a car uphill with a rope . . . it’s a frustrating, pointless, impossible exercise. But I must take serious exception to Mike Boehm’s review of the Dream Theater show at the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana (“A Dream of Very Little Substance,” Dec. 10).

Mike’s bashing of Dream Theater’s music as “bombastic” and “(having) little purpose except to show off” demonstrates his superficiality and shallowness. The music of Dream Theater is emotional imagery delivered via the dynamic and impact of perfectly executed heavy rock.

It is apparent that Mike was overwhelmed by the content, creativity and accomplished delivery of Dream Theater. Having said this, I find it no surprise that his mind wandered and could only focus on things like how the opening act’s singer looked like “Brad Pitt’s Louis the Vampire,” Dream Theater’s “drab” onstage attire and how the seats at the Galaxy were “positively luxurious.”

To insult Dream Theater as indulgent nothings is hypocritical at best, considering one of the biggest paragraphs in Mike’s review describes his fantasy of “. . . if I were king, I would issue an edict that singers like LaBrie . . . be forced to wear choke collars designed for dogs that are nuisance barkers.” Yes, Mike, go ahead and indulge your fantasy that you’re Howard Stern.

If Mike can’t comprehend anything past the bland, three-chord pop I imagine he loves so much,have him stay at home. . . . One more devoted Dream Theater fan could’ve attended (the) show.

KEITH A. WASNOK

Mission Viejo

* MORE LETTERS: F28