I've been a fan of drum corps since 1982, and I'm personally glad to see the creative explosion that has taken place since the abolishment of the "tick" system. I always thought, "Couldn't a corps win the title by just playing a scale and marching up and down the 50", if it's just the corps that makes the fewest mistakes that wins?
So from 1984 until electronics was introduced, I think the creativeness of DCI jumped off the scale and we've all benefited from it.
Now comes the next evolution - amplification/electronics/movement.
I admit, I was a little concerned about amplification/electronics, but 1 show, to me, shows why amplification can, and does work - 2004 Blue Devils - Summertrain Blues Mix. This show shows exactly what the concepts of amplification was intended to be. Instruments that could never have been used before, can now be used. That's when I decided that I'm ok with all of it.... so long as it works...
So in regards to amplification, electronics, narration and corps body movements, I'm ok with it, so long as it works.
Times I don't think things worked:
Crown - singing 525,600 minutes
Crusaders - narration during "Composition of Color"
Cadets - narration during "This I Believe".
Cadets - Drum Speak
Cavailers - ....And so It Goes (the falling down and rolling).
Blue Devils - The re:Rite Of Spring (the poles were distracting)
Phantom - Triumphant Journey (trees distracting).
Times I think things worked:
Phantom - Appasionada 874
Crown - Angelus!
Cavaliers - Machine
Phantom - Spartacus
Blue Stars - The Factory
Blue Devis - Through A Glass, Darkly
Bluecoats - Metropolis
Cavailers - Mad World
Cadets - 12.25
Bluecoats - Unmasked
Crown - E=mc2
Cavailers - Secret Society
Madison Scouts - Corps of Brothers
Mandarins - Destination America
This year, I love the Bluecoats and Cadets shows - Narration and pre-recorded note bend included. I think both work perfectly. Narration because without it, the music could tell just about any American story. In this case, the narration is the "thought" of the show and the music is the accompanyment to emphasies the story. Very intelligent. Love the Bluecoats because while it is pre-recorded, it is of the actual Corps, it is un-expected, extremely cool, and not over used.
Crowns show I love the horn book, the music and the concept. I can do without the trampolines and the drum break on the mufflers, while interesting, I think is too long and doesn't really show a lot.
Blue Devils will probably win it all, because they are just that dag gone good. But as I always say "It's not about winning....it's about putting on an entertaining show".
We all have on our media devices drum corps shows, and we don't listen to just the champion or the top 2 or 3 or even the top 12. Some of my favorite shows have been non top 12 shows (1990 Blue Knights and 2006 Blue Stars come to mind).
In closing, I would just say...."As long as it works...." which in and of itself, is the issue. What works from some, doesn't work for others.
Personally, I would love to see a corps take an old 80s shows and re do it completely and let the scores fall where they may (Are you listening Jersey Surf?). Would love to see 1986 Blue Devils redone. Or since they are in the northeast, how about re-doing a 27th Lancers show (1980)?