Allentown Review, Both Nights Combined

[tigger2]

It has taken a few days to finish this. Hope the boss isn't looking. I am headed to Indy on Wednesday and staying at work many hours to get ahead.

Overall, I really enjoyed both nights. Lots of driving both nights, but worth it, and easy enough sharing the task with friends.

Blue Devils:

Despite my disfavor of their shows of the past few years, and my similar reaction earlier in this season, I was entertained throughout the production. They play, march, and spin so well. They convince you that every step, every note is pristinely calculated by the designers to allow the performers to express themselves physically and musically with a sense of confidence unmatched by any other corps. If I consider sheer achievement of incredibly high demand levels of all show components, this performance is not the epitome of that brand of drum corps. However, if communication, professionalism, and realization of performance responsibility are the lone variable, this is the world champion. The audio and visual varieties are the greatest point of effect for me.

Carolina Crown:

The Crown 2012 show is certainly of the ilk that I tend to prefer. Though a fan of a wide array of show styles, big and majestic, bold and physically challenging have a particular appeal to me. Though others describe them as still “dirty,” I do not agree. Some imperfections certainly exist, but I did not think any more that any of the other top groups. I would describe what the brass are being asked to do physically and musically to be nearly, is not definitively, unmatched by any corps in the past. If communication and realization of performance responsibility were the sole measure of a world champion, there may be some debate of Crown being the recipient. If considering sheer amazing achievement of demand, this is our world champion. The sheer level of “I can’t believe they are doing that” is the greatest point effect in this show, as well as the brass playing and arrangements.

Phantom:

I would easily use this year’s production to produce fairly long list of PR show’s that we all would agree are extremely typical Phantom. This is a good thing. There have been years where many, including myself, have feared the emerging homogeneity of show styles from all corps. I continue to hope the new sheets and Michael Cesario as DCI Artistic Director will contribute, as promised, to the celebration and reward of a wide range of drum corps styles. Though not what I would consider a championship level show, many aspects are stellar. The musicians and guard are equally challenged and responsible for a show that full of dramatic appeal. I find the color guard and visual musicality to be particularly appealing.

Cadets:

Bravo on selecting a show that was not a safe follow up to last year’s championship. I found that as I watched, I was looking, listening, for how they could best elevate this theme to be anything but trite or sugary sweet. They accomplish this quite well on many levels. Though I do not find the guard costumes to be what I would have approved, they are understandable. The Christmas boxes/ramps work fairly well. Though Crown looks and sounds like Crown, BD like BD, Phantom like Phantom, I found that Cadets perhaps look and sound too much like Cadets. I found myself wanting a slightly more expanded, reinvented Cadets with this theme. I found the brass arrangements and musical percussion writing to be the highlights of the production.

Bluecoats:

I enjoyed this performance, but could not help asking the same question I have since the Criminal show: “They talent seems high, and the performance level strong, but what’s missing?”

Not to slight them any as they are quite good and deserving of many accolades, as they made their ascent into the top 6, I think we have all been waiting to see what is next. A recurring issue for me for the past several years is the lack of show theme evidence in the production. Seems such would elevate the overall effect values for the audience. The brass quality and flag designs help the most appeal tonight for me.

SCV: I strongly agree that this show has returned the corps more clearly to its unique identity over recent productions. It seems that Pete Weber rightfully channeled some Myron Rosander-isms into the drill. The efforts are most effective. The drum line played quite well, though some moments were surprisingly unclear; however, that is not uncommon from the best lines in this acoustic venue. I loved hearing familiar tunes and find most of the brass arranging to be well done. The “Music of the Night” at the end was effective and clever. The very end seemed a bit short of the mark. A strong corps and I am selfishly pleased with the return to their brand of drum corps.

Boston Crusaders:

The field entrance took a lot of work to produce, and I felt it added to the atmosphere a great deal. I believe this portion however is still not judged nor considered in any way with scoring. The show is well performed. I could not help but think that Boston seemed to be doing a Phantom show, though not exactly, as Phantom would do it. All sections perform well. I felt the

Performance was a somewhat uninspired. Though not hugely, this show seems a departure for them. If seeking a unique Boston style in 2013, what would that be?

Cavaliers:

The corps came across to me as on trying extremely hard to convince someone that they are talented and are trying to over come something. What specifics caused me to feel that way? I am not sure. If judging, I too would have difficulty placing them among the other corps currently just ahead and those just below them. Ten or so moments of great craft and performance are connected with awkward phrases that seem to have an unclear message and direction. The drum line is wonderful and I expected them to place higher. The brass and color guard are not performing at the levels we are accustomed to seeing and hearing, though they are good. The flag designs are wonderful. The ending deserves performance and GE credit, but, despite any summer long plans to always have that moment or not, it does seem tacked on in an effort to boost the show’s appeal . . . I would have done the same thing.

Madison Scouts:

The beginning takes a bit longer to develop than the past two year’s shows, but I feel it to basically be the same intro. The large sounds thorough out were clearly enhanced/mixed with electronics which I found to contribute to my overall impression; beyond the male swagger which the capitalize on so well, I do not identify the newly defined Scouts as what I would call the Madison style of drum corps. Some resemblance is there, but it is not the sound, arrangements, color guard, nor the approach to GE in general that I would point at and say quintessential Madison Scouts. All that said, maybe this is not necessarily a bad thing. I found myself enjoying that many in the crowd were responding to them positively, though not sharing those same reactions myself. The beginning and ending carry a lot of the shows success. Though predictable, I did enjoy those moments. I did not enjoy the arranged moments for the brass in that the joining of the nostalgia tunes with Pictures is forced and often scored low, diluting the association of the Madison style I know. I accept that my take is probably different from most.

Spirit of Atlanta:

Of all of the top twelve shows, this one went by the most quickly for me. That is as it should be.

As I reflected back on the performance and show design that evening, and since, I am positively struck with the huge amount of musical and visual variety that is offered in the show and how well it all fits into the Sin City theme. More so, when the corps announced the show, several of my friends and myself thought that though the theme seemed to fit them to a tee, how could they do a Vegas show and not look or sound like all of the other versions we have seen or heard before. The design team answered that question with a Vegas show that is cleverly original and fresh, using old iconic Vegas music and images, with new music and visual sources that give this vibe that seems so right. The performance was well done and received a well-deserved reaction from the crowd; including an honest standing ovation at the end . . . something this persnickety crowd tends to always hold in reserve. If judging this one, I would have to step back and really consider the “what” from a design stand point and what each section brings musically and visually to the production. Despite the new sheets, I believe the judging community may still suffer, as I have felt they always have, that esoteric means good and accessible means too simple. There was not anything I did not enjoy or appreciate about the show. Bravo for reinventing and establishing a new Spirit that reminds us warmly of old Spirit, but with great variety and a competitive insight. I venture to say this corps communicates their theme as well as any.

Blue Knights:

This show is such a departure from last year’s. I do not know if one could more juxtapose two productions from the same unit. They use all areas of the field, except lower far side 2 (no one seems to ever use that area). The show seems to be a conundrum to me. Is it serious? The reason I ask is because of the few moments of odd inserts: the rudimental interjections from the battery, the Start Trek and Jetsons quotes, the electronic versus transcription approach to the musical book. If the answer is “well, it is all of those things,” then it seems the show does not do that enough, so when these things happen, they seem extremely out of place and distracting. If someone were to respond, “one needs a bit of humor to break up something so heady,” I would not buy in that those “bits” are not neither set up nor answered, as is obvious by a lack of crowd response and a lack of clear communication. I enjoyed a lot of the battery performance though did not always feel the writing was musical or directional. I wish the brass played more in that I found the percentage of pit and drum line exposure to be dominant and tiresome.

Blue Stars:

This show is well produced. If doing a show about the sea, the inclusion of sailors and sirens, ropes, nets, and fish, a dock, rocks, and anchors, seems extremely logical and appropriate. I wish however that they had expanded beyond those obvious things, brought a fresh twist to a theme we have seen similarly treated many times before. The performance level by the drum line is exceptional, though like Blue Knights, I found some of the writing to be distracting and more drummy than part of the musical picture. The color guard had some great moments. I found the constant return to the four small sea themed flats to be distracting and predictable. A solid show

with good performance levels. I find those corps around them to be offering more from a design stand point.

Crossmen:

This group has improved so much the last two years. As I have referenced throughout this review, Crossmen have a clear, refreshing style of drum corps of their own. The weaknesses in the performance were always brief and quickly corrected. Though the theme is not overly stated, I feel that we are allowed into the “fragile world” concept enough to get it, but not be so distracted that we worry if we are getting it with every phrase. The brass have a big sound and a fine soloist. The guard staging is good throughout, though I find the brass and drum line drill to be too secondary to the guard drill, causing it to often be disjunctive from itself and lacking in logical flow at times. Though I have not talked placements thus far, I do feel Crossmen to be stronger than Blue Knights and very even with Blue Stars.

Glassmen:

The group has improved a lot this summer. All sections show a good level of talent and performance. The glass theme is clear until the closer. The Organ Symphony does not seem to fit the show. The use of mirrors and the Plexiglas makes sense, but the manipulation and performance with them is awkward. A good corps that shows the improving level of non-finalist groups.

The Academy:

Playing Rite on the field is a challenge in many ways: how to arrange the complex orchestral sounds for brass and percussion, what parts of the original will speak to the crowd, were is the harmonic relief, is this a sacrifice or something else, etc. I feel they have made some good decisions and have created some very interesting and captivating moments. These however seem to be mixed with moments that are quiet working or clear at this time. The talent and performance is very strong at times.

Pacific Crest:

Like much of the crowd, I was pleasantly surprised by their performance . . . not that I was discounting them. They were a stand out compared to the corps before them, raising the level of production value and performance of the evening with their offering. The show theme is clear and pacing is quite good. The flugal soloist was lovely. I would not be surprised to see this group up two more places come Friday.

Troopers:

Not typical Troopers, but still connected conceptually to Americana. I really enjoyed the arrangements and sounds, timbres throughout. The brass writing is fresh and clear. Lots of tasty percussion writing and subtleness to the overall music book. The guard has some wonderful silks and they are a beautiful ensemble to watch. Overall, however, the show is much to slowly paced and lacks enough variety. Another example of how strong the non-finalist pool is these days.

Colts:

I always forget how beautiful this red is on the field. The show theme is by and large allusive. The guard costume odd and not pleasantly. The closer is very exciting and seems from a completely different show. A good corps.

Jersey Surf: This was just fun. A comparison to VK is perhaps not mostly fair, but I do find it appropriate.

The style of this show adds to the overall experience of the entire field of corps, something many have been complaining about for years.

Mandarins:

This show theme is overall enjoyable (Mayans). The percussion feature is most notable.

Cascades:

There is some talent throughout all sections of the corps. The confidence level is not there yet. I hope they have a good rehearsal week to perform comfortably and feel good about such.

Pioneer:

The theme is fairly evident and the member’s commitment to the performance was evident.

[BDAMom]

Very good review!! Thanks for posting!

[mobrien]

Thanks for a very bold review.

[westcoastblue]

Bold review. That's funny.

Though not at the Allentown Review, I have attended several shows and seen every broadcast available. i agree with most of your take on shows, especially BD, Crown, Madison, Spirit, BK, and Crossmen.

Thanks for your efforts.