Lafayette Review

[LAMystreaux]

The venue-This was supposedly the first event held on the brand new turf there at Cajun Field. I thought the turf looked nice, although the stadium itself could stand to see some renovations. I have sat in many a bleacher in my days, but their seats (and these were the expensive seats, mind you) were the most uncomfortable I have ever sat in. Otherwise, this stadium is great for drum corps. It’s the kind of sunken in stadium where when you enter you have to step down to get into you seats, unless you were sitting in the top section. Oh, one more mini rant that has nothing to do with drum corps. What is UL? There is no University of Louisiana. I am still left wondering how this University gets away with marketing itself in this way. They should be ULL. On to the corps. . .

I had heard a few gripes about show order before it started. But, I don’t think it mattered much. It would have been nice to have the corps grouped a bit better, but then again how is it fair for the top corps to always get to close the show?

Teal Sound was a really nice way to start the show. Although I am not familiar with any of their musical selections I found the show to be full of nice melodies. Their visual program was well designed. Their main issues deal with what I expect to come from a more young corps. They have many different marching techniques being used. Upper body was an issue for several members. Another issue I have is hornline volume. They were really loud, and I am a fan of that. But, if you have a hornline with 15-20 fewer members than most other corps, then don’t try and match them. Play within what you have. Overall, they did a really nice job.

Bluecoats came out and gave some of the best brass moments I have ever heard on the football field. . . .ever. With all of the talk of the other 5-6 corps fighting for the top, I had kinda forgotten about Bluecoats as a stellar corps so to speak. They came out and reminded me to take notice. Their brassline is still one of the best on the field. There is no way I would have them half a point down from Cadets/Crown. They deserve to be right there with them, if not beating them in that caption. The boxing theme is coming along nicely with some great visual treats using punching bags. The corps forms several boxing rings throughout the show and the choreographed fighting between the boxers is working nicely along with the percussive hits in the music. At first I had a problem with the main character being the champion boxer and a ballet dancer, but as the show went on and he was doing so well at both (the boxing and dancing) it grew on me. I actually think I will end up liking this show more than Criminal. The Bluecoats could make some noise at the end of the season.

Boston Crusaders have taken a more traditional straight-up approach to their show this year, and the crowd is really enjoying them. The design is very in your face with an improved guard and overall visual program from them. My only issue with this corps tonight came from the cleanliness (or lack of) in many of their forms. Some of the most simple things, like dressing and covering down ranks, gave Boston tons of trouble tonight visually. They have a lot of sets in ranks and probably 75% of them had at least one marcher out of line tonight. I wonder if the corps has spent a lot of time lately working on changes. Get back to the basics and you will be fine, BAC. The show is a good vehicle for them. They just need to clean it.

You could feel the crowd waiting for Crown almost from the start of the show (or maybe that was just me). They did not disappoint. The show is wonderfully designed, not chopped up as many would say. They actually play giant chunks of some of the pieces. Those who say you never get much of a piece in their show just are not listening or find it easier to hate than to enjoy. The guard really helps sell the show with their crazy Mozart/Beethoven hair and conducting batons. Some issues I did have with the show is some individual technique problems. It was too easy for me to pick out a few weak marchers on the field who struggled with upper body control. This is something the top corps just don’t have normally and Crown needs to do some work here if they want to contend, and I think they can. This is another show that is complete and they just need to keep cleaning.

As much as the crowd was waiting in anticipation for Crown, I could feel the apprehension for The Cadets. Will the changes they have made help the show flow better? The answer is yes, but they still have some issues that I think will keep them from the top. For one, other than the opener and possibly the percussion feature piece, the music is just not the best choice. There is not enough melody in this show to keep the audience engaged. As far as the narration is concerned, I barely notice it. It has been cut considerably, and in spite of what many have said, it plays the background to the rest of the show, not the other way around. The guard is light years ahead of where they were last summer. They have also created characters out of the guard to represent the 3 or 4 parts of Sarah’s story who act as soloists to a point in each section of the show. The ending is much improved. Basically they have a fast and furious ending which does include a nice company front. Then they do the backfield elegy smiley face thing, and Sarah comes mid-field and joins those guard soloists (similar to 2005). There is no snap or awkward ending that most people won’t get. This will never be one of my favorite Cadets shows, but as we all knew it would, it has changed a ton and the changes are working. Unfortunately I still don’t see it getting any higher than 4th and possibly an outside shot at 3rd.

Glassmen have taken what could have been a pretty interesting show theme and have made it a bit lackluster. There are some really nice parts of the design where the crowd eats it up but then also several parts where the show drags a bit. I think their brass is one of the main issues for them. They get a muddy sound to me in comparison with other corps around them. I would be a bit shocked to see this show staying in contention for a Finals spot.

The Colts do old school in a great way this summer. Although I feel the show is a bit like a part 2 from last summer (very formulaic in design) it still works for them and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Their brassline has really come along in the last couple of years, and their visual design is really well done and should keep them heading strong into Finals, although it seems the judges disagree. I was a bit shocked to see them last as I see them much better than Spirit and Glassmen.

I am not sure what to make of Spirit. They have one of the most boring and poorly designed shows on the field this summer. The corps seems to be strong in talent, but you could almost see it on the guard’s faces. They even seemed to hate performing this show. Why have a theme (an odd one at that) that you are going to spend no time developing or selling visually? What was even more disturbing is that I got the sense from some of the visual sets that they have already started watering the show a bit from my last viewing. They were the dirtiest visually of the night. I know it probably won’t happen, but this corps needs some new, fresh blood in the visual/creative department. They are too good to be doing shows like this.

The Blue Stars closed the show. I hate to say that I don’t think I like this show as much as I did on my first viewing during one of the webcasts. The opening statement is fantastic, and then aside from a few other nice spots, the show drags. Also, some of the visual elements in the guard are a bit velveeta. I don’t like the handle bars on the flags, and the wheels being put on the end of the poles also. Rolling the bike wheels around on the field just is not enough for me to sell the show theme. Honestly, and I hate saying this, I felt like this would be a well designed show if it were a high school, but that a drum corps design staff should be able to come up with better. They will more than likely make finals on the strength of the performance, but the show design left me wanting a lot more from them in the future.

I had been anticipating the Crossmen all night. I had tried finding some of my old food truck buddies earlier in the night and could not find any, and then while Crossmen are coming onto the field I look next to me and one of the ladies I cooked with was standing next to me. We talked for a few before they started their show. The kids’ attitudes are fantastic. They were slightly pumped after beating Spirit Tuesday but then launched into their longest block of the summer during Wednesday’s rehearsal. They are definitely making a big push and it shows. Visually they are already as clean or cleaner than they were in August last summer, and their hornline is light years ahead of last summer. The guard is selling the show in a fantastic way. Looking at the recap they were 5th in GE, which says Glassmen should be watching out. As the Crossmen clean, they should pass them. I could honestly see them passing Blue Stars as well. I will be surprised if Crossmen don’t make Finals.

[oneanddone06]

Thanks for the review!

[Matt_S]

I am not sure what to make of Spirit. They have one of the most boring and poorly designed shows on the field this summer. The corps seems to be strong in talent, but you could almost see it on the guard’s faces. They even seemed to hate performing this show. Why have a theme (an odd one at that) that you are going to spend no time developing or selling visually? What was even more disturbing is that I got the sense from some of the visual sets that they have already started watering the show a bit from my last viewing. They were the dirtiest visually of the night. I know it probably won’t happen, but this corps needs some new, fresh blood in the visual/creative department. They are too good to be doing shows like this.

I couldn't find it on their site, do you know who designs their shows? They aren't still getting Saucedo/Gaines leftovers, are they?

[84skyrydr]

Colts do old school in a great way this summer. Although I feel the show is a bit like a part 2 from last summer (very formulaic in design) it still works for them and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Their brassline has really come along in the last couple of years, and their visual design is really well done and should keep them heading strong into Finals, although it seems the judges disagree. I was a bit shocked to see them last as I see them much better than Spirit and Glassmen.

I am not sure what to make of Spirit. They have one of the most boring and poorly designed shows on the field this summer. The corps seems to be strong in talent, but you could almost see it on the guard’s faces. They even seemed to hate performing this show. Why have a theme (an odd one at that) that you are going to spend no time developing or selling visually? What was even more disturbing is that I got the sense from some of the visual sets that they have already started watering the show a bit from my last viewing. They were the dirtiest visually of the night. I know it probably won’t happen, but this corps needs some new, fresh blood in the visual/creative department. They are too good to be doing shows like this.

The Blue Stars closed the show. I hate to say that I don’t think I like this show as much as I did on my first viewing during one of the webcasts. The opening statement is fantastic, and then aside from a few other nice spots, the show drags. Also, some of the visual elements in the guard are a bit velveeta. I don’t like the handle bars on the flags, and the wheels being put on the end of the poles also. Rolling the bike wheels around on the field just is not enough for me to sell the show theme. Honestly, and I hate saying this, I felt like this would be a well designed show if it were a high school, but that a drum corps design staff should be able to come up with better. They will more than likely make finals on the strength of the performance, but the show design left me wanting a lot more from them in the future.

I had been anticipating the Crossmen all night. I had tried finding some of my old food truck buddies earlier in the night and could not find any, and then while Crossmen are coming onto the field I look next to me and one of the ladies I cooked with was standing next to me. We talked for a few before they started their show. The kids’ attitudes are fantastic. They were slightly pumped after beating Spirit Tuesday but then launched into their longest block of the summer during Wednesday’s rehearsal. They are definitely making a big push and it shows. Visually they are already as clean or cleaner than they were in August last summer, and their hornline is light years ahead of last summer. The guard is selling the show in a fantastic way. Looking at the recap they were 5th in GE, which says Glassmen should be watching out. As the Crossmen clean, they should pass them. I could honestly see them passing Blue Stars as well. I will be surprised if Crossmen don’t make Finals.

Unfortunatly for some reason the judges just don't view the Colts the way the audiences do. ( I exclude the Blue Star parents on here from the audience, a little biased sometimes, but overall decent people, and yes, I feel the Stars should be ahead of Colts. ).

[KiltieKemo06]

Glassmen have taken what could have been a pretty interesting show theme and have made it a bit lackluster. There are some really nice parts of the design where the crowd eats it up but then also several parts where the show drags a bit. I think their brass is one of the main issues for them. They get a muddy sound to me in comparison with other corps around them. I would be a bit shocked to see this show staying in contention for a Finals spot.

Then with ALL due respect you are in the minority. Look at the scores (from day one) and you'll see how Glassmen and Blue

Stars are firmly within the top 12 without any doubt. As far as being lackluster how is it that the crowds have been getting more and more vocal in their support of each performance? They ARE a crowd favorite...period. Right now they are in a fight for 10th or 11th place at least. Who do YOU see pushing them out? We'll see what happens come Saturday at San Antonio.

[DeCellR8]

Then with ALL due respect you are in the minority. Look at the scores (from day one) and you'll see how Glassmen and Blue

Stars are firmly within the top 12 without any doubt. As far as being lackluster how is it that the crowds have been getting more and more vocal in their support of each performance? They ARE a crowd favorite...period. Right now they are in a fight for 10th or 11th place at least. Who do YOU see pushing them out? We'll see what happens come Saturday at San Antonio.

He has a right to his own opinon as do you so do not get on him for it. He is just giving us an excellent review from the show from HIS perspective, not yours. Yes, Glassmen will make top 12 as they usually do. Oh well. Carry on with the rest of your day!

[chadwick]

Then with ALL due respect you are in the minority. Look at the scores (from day one) and you'll see how Glassmen and Blue

Stars are firmly within the top 12 without any doubt. As far as being lackluster how is it that the crowds have been getting more and more vocal in their support of each performance? They ARE a crowd favorite...period. Right now they are in a fight for 10th or 11th place at least. Who do YOU see pushing them out? We'll see what happens come Saturday at San Antonio.

I have to agree with the OP on this one...the Glassmen's show this year just isn't as entertaining as the past couple years, IMO (I feel the same way about the Colts too). And at the Milton, GA show last week, I wasn't the only that thought this and I was sitting with Glassmen alums. Right now Glassmen are sitting pretty in 10th place if you put Boston and Blue Knights ahead of them. But Blue Stars might pass them, and PC, Crossmen, Colts and Spirit aren't that far away. I don't think any of these corps, including Blue Stars and Glassmen, can think they are a sure-in for Finals.

[sdstar]

Thanks very much for taking the time to write such a complete review. I don't agree with your Blue Stars conclusions, but appreciate reading the different viewpoint. Seems like a lot of people either really love the handlebars or really hate them. I'm curious to know what row you were in... I think this show presents very differently from down low as compared to up high.

[BozzlyB]

He has a right to his own opinon as do you so do not get on him for it. He is just giving us an excellent review from the show from HIS perspective, not yours. Yes, Glassmen will make top 12 as they usually do. Oh well. Carry on with the rest of your day!

Didn't you just completely contradict yourself? I mean you just stated they both have a right to their opinion, but then tell him he can't voice it if it means disagreeing with the OP.

[BozzlyB]

I have to agree with the OP on this one...the Glassmen's show this year just isn't as entertaining as the past couple years, IMO (I feel the same way about the Colts too). And at the Milton, GA show last week, I wasn't the only that thought this and I was sitting with Glassmen alums. Right now Glassmen are sitting pretty in 10th place if you put Boston and Blue Knights ahead of them. But Blue Stars might pass them, and PC, Crossmen, Colts and Spirit aren't that far away. I don't think any of these corps, including Blue Stars and Glassmen, can think they are a sure-in for Finals.

Um, Blue Stars have already passed Glassmen. Check scores from the last two nights where they were head to head.