Lawrence Review

[dasboot]

Went to Lawrence on Thursday night and I haven't posted a review until now.

My mother and I went to this show right after I got out of work (Yeah, fantastic I smell like dirt and sweat from working at a summer camp and I go to the show in my work shirt) Since we were driving from the Cape we got there during the Defender's Alumni performance. Our seats were on the Side 1 40 yard line about midway up.

On to the corps

Jersey Surf: First off, I need to say that I border on a Surf Honk at times, but I don't care because I love what they do and are one of the classiest organizations that I know of. I had seen this show on fan network so I was excited to see it live. From the preshow with the cell phone, they had me drawn into this show. The whole crowd was into this show, and the banana sticks were a success. I think Party Rock Anthem is the fan favorite moment of the year. Wish I could see this show live again. Note, at this point I had already bought what I thought was the best souvenir of the night a Surf Corps hat!

Cascades: I found this show to be interesting, I thought their 8 tubas were very strong sounding, and helped with their overall sound. I did not find this show as exciting as Surf's and I felt kind of bad that they had to go on after Surf (not the only corps I felt this about that night) As has been said before, the second half has more energy, but I felt that all the posing done by the various players in the pit, was a bit cheesy and contrived. Overall a good show.

During intermission I had gone to get my mother a bottle of water, and I did not get back to my seat to see Vanguard, so I saw them from the steps instead.

Santa Clara Vanguard: This was the corps that I had never seen live before that I was most interested in seeing, and I was not disappointed. This show was fantastic, I loved the sound of their horns. Their drums sounded fantastic. The guard was outstanding. I liked everything about this show. MY favorite moment was Music of the Night. I absolutely love this piece of music after singing it in my voice lessons this year at school. Only thing I dislike was people going into the stands while corps were performing. They said it didn't matter, and I wish that the show had staff blocking off the entrances.

Cavaliers: Another corps that I had never seen live. Honestly, I went into this show not quite sure what to expect. I have always liked their shows, and I was on the fence about this show. Upon viewing, I was honestly mixed up on this one. I talked to my drum instructor and I had to ask him a question about this show because I was very confused by it. "How does losing your drill writer drastically change your musical abilities?" I could not get into this show because of all the electronics overuse, especially the voice over. I really didn't see the need for the same quote 3 different times. That being said I was very impressed with the brass playing, especially in In the Hall of the Mountain King, and Paparazzi. I left the show humming Paparazzi. Also, the percussion I found to be very good. I like the, for lack of a better term, the unwinding where one by one the snare's drop out of a roll and go down to one knee, till one is left who ends the roll. I thought that was wicked cool. All in all, still mixed on this one. Note, my mother now calls this show The wub wub because of all the dubstep type stuff going into this.

Cadets: Was very interested in this show, because of a vested interest in the corps. My drum instructor taught Boston Crusaders when Colin McNutt was there, and also taught him in high school, so I really wanted to see this show. I liked this show a lot. The carol of the bells was cool, but I felt it went on a little too long. I honestly liked this whole show,especially the tuba solo in jingle bells. (yeah, clearly not biased towards my instrument) All in all, the voice over didn't really bother me, but it was a little confusing with so many of them going on at once during the close. My mother asked about the presents opening up and being made into a church steeple, or into ramps for sledding, so I explained that after the show. Also, I liked the angel costume brought out from last year. This is one of the corps I felt that used electronics the most effectively.

Boston Crusaders: Finally the home team. I really liked the musical selections for this show. I liked how the synth player switched off of the synth and plays other percussion instruments during the show. I wish more corps would do this. In the Pines of Rome mello feature, I thought the mello line sounded a little squeezed playing it. That being said, it sounded good. I liked watching this show, I need to watch it again because I didn't know where to focus, because everything drew me in with this one.

As mentioned in other reviews the 50/50 raffle winner never came up on either ticket drawn, so the money was given to the corps. I left before scores were announced because of the 2 hour drive back to the Cape, and having to work with kids the next day. As I was leaving the Surf members greeting people applauded me and told me they like my hat. Mostly because it was their corps' hat. Wore it to work the next day, and I had to explain where I got it, and then the kids wanted to listen to Jersey Surf. They all loved Party Rock Anthem.

[ChrisVT2003]

Thanks for the review! I'm looking forward to seeing Boston for the first time live tonight in Ohio!