Threats Posted July 4, 2009 Posted July 4, 2009 The Threats Super Se7en as of today. Happy Fourth, everyone! Take all these with a grain of salt. I've been out of the activity a long time. I am not predicting this is how they will end up at DCI Worlds, these are just where they stand for me right now. 1. Carolina Crown Pretty clean right now, and are generating a lot of G.E. I make no predictions about whether or not they will stay this way, or if they will start to falter as other corps start to clean their programs, and as we add field judges. My partner's verdict: Oooh, I like the show...but the unis are You, Gee, Elle, Why, they ain't got no alibi, they UGLY! 2. Blue Devils Also very clean right now, but I am not sold on this show. I think of the two shows (CC and BD), I would be more afraid of BD peaking too soon. Of course, they have a tremendous track record, so you really can't count them out. Gotta say, though, I'm not a big fan of the sitting on chairs routine. When they move, this is one of the better Blue Devil drills of the past decade, don't you think? My partner's verdict: We hear about the roaring 20s. And we know about the 40s because of the world war. There's probably a reason we don't hear much about 1930. Zzzzz.... 3. Phantom Regiment No, it isn't on par with Spartacus or even Faust right now. But I think the drill is better than it was at this point last year, and I also think they are in better musical shape than at this point last year. If they can add the usual doses of pixie dust to the production as they go along, they are top 3 material again. If, however, they don't add the RIGHT changes, then it is 2007 all over again. My partner's verdict: I like the red flags! And the music is fun. 4. Bluecoats I don't see why these guys are not getting more praise. This is a very, very good show, and they are performing it well. Its not as clean as some of the other corps so far, but it is a difficult book and drill...if they can clean it up, it will generate more GE and look out. My partner's verdict: I like their drill the best. Me: Really? Even better than Cavaliers? MP: Yes. 5. Holy Name Cadets I'm not sure why, but this show is completely failing to capture my imagination. It is VERY DIFFICULT, though, and maybe that is why...once it is cleaner, it is very likely that this corps will shoot up my rankings. There are a few portions of the show that seem very disjointed to me. I am sure that will change as well over the coming weeks. I am a huge fan of WSS, so I am very surprised by the lack of interest in this show. I do like the intro to "A Boy Like That" though... My partner's verdict: It sounded like West Side Story on crack cocaine. I need to go soak in some Rita Moreno now. 6. Cavaliers I know....sacrilege, right? Performance-wise, these guys will likely place top 3 or 4 again, but this show is a snooze fest right now. They perform the heck out of it, no doubt, but it just seems to go nowhere. Am I the only one that thinks the drill is a bit more cluttered than in previous years? A lot is happening in between the 30s and in front of the hash. I am sure that will change. My partner's verdict: I like the "hello" part and the pretty shapes. 7. Santa Clara Vanguard I know this show is getting a lot of talk generated, and that it is holding a special place in the hearts of many of you. I merely find it ok. It's not clean, and that is a concern, because the drill seems a lot easier than in years past. I also don't like the treatment of Appalachian Spring. But, they do seem to play better than in years past. And the drums are pretty tight. My partner's verdict: This is boring. And just to ward off the inevitble questions: FAQ 1. Are you stupid? Yes, a lot of the time. 2. Are you high? No, not at the moment. I really think this is how they rank to ME right now. 3. But XXXXXXX is my favorite corps and you have them ranked XX! You just don't get their show! Yeah, you are probably right. My bad. 4. You suck. Sounds like you never marched. Did you march? Yes, I did. A while back. Nothing special. 5. Why only seven corps? Because I just finished reading Stephen King's "It" and I like the significance of the number in the book. 6. Are you sure you're not stupid? No, I am not sure. Quote
hsreed Posted July 4, 2009 Posted July 4, 2009 Your FAQs are better than your rankings. Then again, you already know that. Quote
Harmonious Cacophony Posted July 4, 2009 Posted July 4, 2009 Here are my meaningless rankings: 1. Crown. They're so hot right now (with sentiments to Zoolander) 2. BD. They're hot, too, but I don't know if they have staying power. 3. HNC. Do they have "It?" 4. SCV. Championship show in the 80s. ...no wait... that was the Cadets. 5. Cavies. Not nearly as strong as the past 8 years, but the program has potential 6. PR. Good, but no Spartacus. 7. Bluecoats. Just barely. I had to put someone here. Quote
MelloMike Posted July 4, 2009 Posted July 4, 2009 The 'my partner' comments were good for a laugh.. not a bad top 7 list for right now, we'll see how it progresses Quote
louderisbetter Posted July 4, 2009 Posted July 4, 2009 Hehehe, thanks for the opinions. Dig the FAQ. Someone needs to do a Stephen King-inspired show--plenty of material for inspiration. Quote
Threats Posted July 4, 2009 Author Posted July 4, 2009 Hehehe, thanks for the opinions. Dig the FAQ. Someone needs to do a Stephen King-inspired show--plenty of material for inspiration. No kidding! I'm a latecomer to Stephen King. "It" scared the holybejesus out of me. So far I've read The Stand, Eyes of the Dragon, Tommyknockers, Cell, Cujo, and the Dead Zone. King has a pretty uneven output, but he writes really, really well. Gonna tackle the Dark Tower series next. All se7en of them. Quote
AlexL Posted July 4, 2009 Posted July 4, 2009 haha. phantom regiment is proud to present: The Stand. You thought they liked killing people before. wait until half the corps dies in the opener. Quote
Plan9 Posted July 4, 2009 Posted July 4, 2009 (edited) Can't say I agree with your partner's thoughts on the 30's being dull...what about gin joints, the mob and unconcious jazz. Having said that, I find this (and post #3) to be pee your pants funny....well done! Edited July 4, 2009 by Plan9 Quote
Plan9 Posted July 4, 2009 Posted July 4, 2009 haha. phantom regiment is proud to present: The Stand. You thought they liked killing people before. wait until half the corps dies in the opener. :worthy: TDF !! Quote
Matt_S Posted July 4, 2009 Posted July 4, 2009 That was a fun read, thanks! This is something I'd like to see more of on DCP, honest sharing of well-intentioned opinion. Quote
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