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Ok...so, I was at this show. As most of dcp knows, I am an unabashed homer for the Boston Crusaders. I chose not to go to the Boston Pops gig primarily because I didn't want to fight July 4th traffic in Boston with 500,000 other people, so off to Lynn I went. Clearly, I had no dog in this fight. Because I wrote a full review of the Gillette Stadium show the other day, I am not going to do a full review of Lynn. Having said that, I would like to mention a few thoughts I had from this show. (And, as anyone here knows, I am about as far from a Cadets homer as one can get!) Cadets deserved to win this. Period. While I aesthetically l prefer Crown's show this year , the Cadets had more energy, drive and excitement in their show tonight. While I still maintain that their guard is not of the same ilk as it has been, the Cadets' brass and percussion were outstanding. At the end of the show, I turned to my friend and said.."Cadets by 2 tonight!". Crown was strong, but seemed rather subdued...maybe a bit tired from the long day. They are still a great drum corps and they will be in the hunt in August, but on this night, the Cadets were better, imo. In fact, they were playing and marching like they had something to prove. A couple other random thoughts: I haven't seen a DCA show in probably 20 years. After watching the Cadets 2 (which doesn't seem to have anyone over 21 years old in it), I thought to myself, "well that's it, they're gonna blow away DCA this year!" And then, it happened...the Hawthorne Caballeros came out onto the field, and I was blown away. They marched (including frequently jazz running at a 5 to 5 or even 4 to 5 while playing the bejesus out of their show. This corps moves extremely well, and the brass was incredibly tight....and, unbelievably, when they took their hats off and trooped the stands, there was a bunch of them-men and women- with gray hair!!! At 55 years old myself, I have found it increasingly difficult to be surprised lately in this activity, but this corps was (as the kids say) SICK! Great work, folks...SERIOIUSLY! Getting back to the DCI scoring discussion, and with regard to Brass Judge Wayne Dillon. I met this man for the first time about six years ago, but he has been a DCI judge for years. He is a stand up guy, a professional, and above reproach in my opinion. One final thought....my friend and I grabbed a bite prior to the show at a local eatery. There were a group of alums from the various Massachusetts drums corps from the 80's who no longer exist. I was close enough to hear much of the conversation. At one point, one of them said, "can't believe Boston is still alive....that's what luck will do for you..." WTF? Luck had nothing to do with hit...enough said~

Might be in the minority, but I really enjoyed Colts, and that's from someone who didn't enjoy (although respected) last year. There is a fantastic hornline, amazing guard, improving drumline/FE, and top tier visual design there. They're going to make a finals run, I guarantee it. I thought they struck a great balance with the narration. Just my personal opinion, but I think it totally works.

I hate the colts narration. Worse than 2014 cadets. Especially last year. I just can't get behind that kind of acting because it feels childish.

The thing that kills me about phantom is that I want to love them so bad. They about gave me a heart attack in Allentown a few years ago during Nessun Dorma when they formed the block and doubled timed it into a chevron with a kick halt. I will never forget that. And so perhaps my expectations are too high, but man, I just feel like the design team has been mailing it in the least couple of years.

Madison is fun! IT's totally retro, not as complex as the contenders, but fun as heck to watch and hear. Miles better in letting them play songs out more to catch the tunes than last year.

Sometimes I wish the announcer would say, "On the field, traveling here from 1998, The Madison Scouts!"

Nope, those are players playing live into mics around the back. They are at each speaker prop around the field.

Wow, Bluecoats, to me, are 1.5 or more over SCV. I'm sure i'm wrong, but Bluecoats just have all the goods. Great show design, amazing brass and percussion, great guard, the drill is fun and good, and boy can they perform. I see them right there with BD, Cadets, Crown. In the end, this can win Gold.

I was lucky enough to hear BC at the Muncie stand-still and can say without reservation that the music underneath the electronic effects is rock solid. This is an epic drum corps. I love everything they are doing this year.

This show makes zero sense

"Ereh retne ohw ey, epoh lla nodnaba."

Also, this is a great example of letting the music create a mood. They could 'narrate a story' in with this if they really wanted to and it'd also work, but the music is pulling the weight here to make the show feel like it does. Which by the way is great.

How about we play our horns in the ballad?

We need Pioneer to be successful. We can't keep loosing drum corps.. We are all in this together... not just a top 5 activity.. You Go Pioneer!

Don't judges know Crown should always win brass because.... Crown?

On the field, from Rockford, Illinois.... The Round Rock High School Summer Band!

I'm not seeing Stars below Madison and Phantom. I'm sorry, but their percussion is on another level from everyone else around them in scores. Especially the pit. Also, I understand that Scouts have a feel good throw back show, but putting them above Stars in GE makes zero sense to me. My scores for tonight had Stars a half point ahead of Phantom and a solid two points above Madison. I fully expect this will be the case come Finals.

Scores are good for one night and one town only.

Good score, BAC!! Nice jump!! Welcome to the next level.

Yah. Most of the Bloo changes were giving the show more range in the impact of their playing. It's sounding much more dynamic in nature now.

OK, so I can dig what BLOO is doing. It definitely has the cool factor. Brass plays their book well, strong percussion all around, Guard is also strong and performs well. The only beef that I have with this show is the music itself. Can anyone find any memorable musical moments (without synthesized effects in it) in the show? Can anyone whistle the melody of any of their selections? I just don't find it musically memorable, IMO. I'm sure it will do well, because they will clean it, and it will check off all of the achievement boxes. I feel that they tried to take all of the "cool" things that they introduced to the activity last year and possibly over do them this year. Just My $.02

Bluecoats battery has just such a nice sound from the field ... the snares have a mellow yet clear quality, and the timbre differences when playing on different areas of the head are really dramatic.

holy BALLLSSS I'm so impressed by the Coats. WOW!!!!!!

That's fine... Just not my cup of tea. From a show design stand point, it is not the approach I would have gone with. I prefer less electronics and more brass.

Ok...for those that said boring in other thread...you are just jealous that theae guys are just so good

Cavaliers are still filthy dirty, but on almost all levels this is a really well developed and fun show to watch. Drill, guard, and overall visual are lovely. Brass is playing some meat, and wonderful themes that the audience can grab onto. Percussion is really good. When this cleans this will be a fabulous show come Finals.

Whoa, Cavies ... on-field warmup? Haven't heard one of those in ages it seems...

Ending needs a complete re-write. A complete re-write. Ending with the Organ Concerto in a PR show should make people weep with joy. What they have currently is not even close. Please re-write.

PR is my favorite corps but ####- weakest closer they've ever had.

Every time a drum corps features a singing soloist a puppy dies of immolation. Remember that.

Cringeworthy

And singing? Gosh I'm sorry I'm normally not against change but this is too much.

Ok, here's a problem. The focus on narration leads the multicam to focus on them so much that we don't even see what the corps are doing visually out there during this bit.

Hmmm, I wonder if the value of my old DCI dvds is going up?

Yes, Wayne was the caption head for one season, thirteen seasons ago. I'm sure his single season in this position, which occurred while the current members were in kindergarten weighed heavy on his mind as he judged last night.

Excellent work, BAC! You represented your Corps and the drum corps community well.while looking and sounding great!. Congratulations and siincere thanks. Pretty ###### awesome, WOW! :thumbup: Webstream available for next 24 days. All '1812' right now. http://bostonpopsjuly4th.org/

According to my son, who is in front ensemble - he played cymbals tonight, this was one of his top 5 life experiences!! The front ensemble will also have greater participation at Tanglewood on Tuesday. Which he also said is sold out!! He is having the age out of his life!!

I remember all their huge brass impacts, especially in the opener and closer. I remember the cool staccato note effect they have while they spin around. And I can easily hum their ballad.

love so many facets of this Scouts show. interested to see their score vs. Phantoms

Go Cavies. Now that's how the drum majors pants are supposed to be tailored.

The "run to your spot drill" has got to go. Cheap. Only BD is allowed to do that.

#### thats a great first statement from the SCV brass.

I'll be surprised if they fall out of the top 8. People spelled doom and gloom for Phantom last season too and they ended up kicking everything up a hell of a lot towards the end and overtook Blue Knights. Don't count Phantom out yet. They seem to be late bloomers.

Blue Stars. Wow. This may be my worst prediction ever to have them outside of finals. This show is awesome.

anyone else (on multicam) upset that they chose to show that random marimba player during the hammer visual?!

Yay Red Team Enjoyed the horns mucho.

am I the only one who thinks the narration is adding tremendously to the show?

They more than likely will tbh.

My early season take on whats " In " and whats " out " regarding the " trend taking " in 2015 DCI. Big gigantic Props....... out Flat stages................... In Narration.....................out Singing.......................In Full judge panels....... out Halfazz panels.......... in Flu...........................out Food poisoning........out Running in shows......out Body posing.............in Brass soloists........ out Guard soloists........ in Drum Corps French horns..... out Band French horns..... In Dark colors................out Bright colors................ in Snare drum stick flips..... in snare drum one legs....... in large rolling balls.......... out trampolines.................. out tarps.............................in silk screens.................... in rifles...............................in poles.............................. out Trooper DM slow walk..... in not waiting for Trooper DM..in Hops tweets................... in FN...................................out starting time late..............in penalties for starting late.... out Percussion judges............ out Guard judges....................out GE Judges.......................in Show Electronics...................plugged in Show Lecturers.....................plugged out. Trombones......................in Cymbals...........................out woodwinds...................... out marcher climbing..............in placement climbing.......... out INT..................................in INT................................. out drones.............................out periscope.........................in rainouts...........................out tornado watch..................in Florida shows................. out Texas shows...................in Murpreesboro................out Waukee.........................In Steve Rondinaro............in Dennis Delucia.............in Michael Cesario............in DCI Office Personel.......out DCI Tech Support.........out anyway, those are my thoughts on the trends as to what is " in " and what is " out " as a trend line here in 2015. Any others, y'all are noticing ?

Have to compliment the WBZ broadcaster Jordan Riche. He definitely included the Crusaders in his (along with all others) commentary. Did give BAC much credit as to their make up and ability.