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incompleatangler

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Posts posted by incompleatangler

    TOC/NightBEAT Winston-Salem, NC - July 30

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I'm a long time member, but I haven't posted much in quite a while. I've been in and out reading and following a long from time to time. Just haven't had much to say that wasn't already being said.

     

    Still, I'd like to share some humble opions on the current top 4 as July nears it's end, and the DCI season enters it's final stages of acceleration.

     

    I haven't seen any live drum corps yet this year, so the grain of salt is on the house. I'll be lucky enough to be in Dublin tomorrow and in Massillon a week later, though. 

     

    SCV - Wow! What a corps! A lot of things are coming together for them this year! The battery is still aruguably the best in the biz. The challenging original visual identity has taken another huge step forward with the addition of Michael Gaines's input. The hornline, consistantly outstanding for years, is gaining (regaining?) it's own identity based in the balance of precision and expression. 

     

    They are well deserving of the love fans and adjudicators alike are heaping on them. I will love seeing them medal this year. As in, I don't see them dropping to 4th, or really at all. I'm not quite convinced they'll be champions this year, but I wouldn't be all that surprised if they pulled it off.

     

    Bloo -- (it's only fair to warn: I'm a homer here). That closer is killing them. This is 3/4 of a championship design. The relentless dedication to performance level, the showstopping moments, the innovative visual design and prop(s), the tasteful and exciting approach to electronics and amplification? They're all there, evolving as they have the last several years. And I don't believe what I see as a slightly less effective design choice will see them drop below 4th. I just think the ballad lacks the juxtaposed subtlety and power that choices like Hymn to Axiom and Great Gig in the Sky exemplified. I see the bronze as their ceiling right now.

     

    Blue Devils - It's true that they park to do some of their best barking, but it is, to my ears, the best barking the activity has to offer. I could bathe in that brass sound. I know many prefer the pyramid balance and faat tone that Crown brings. Far be it from me to say those folks are wrong. I prefer the top heavy, nuanced approach we find in Concord though. And what they are doing visually is certainly effective if you ask me. Is what SCV is doing more effective? We shall see. As was the case a year ago, I find BD simply amazing, yet not unbeatable.

     

    Crown - Up through the ballad, I. am. so. on. board. I thoroughly enjoy the solo vocal here. The performer is terrific, and the hornline has found a way to blend with that, not only supporting or accompanying the vocal, but interacting with the soloist. Then, in the second half of the program, I can't escape the feeling that they're trying to Einstein-on-the-beach me, nor the feeling that it's just not on the same level. I love seeing them try to innovate like this. Honest. I'm just not enjoying this particular run at it as much as I want to. The vocal in the more "modern" pieces (forgive an over simplification -- and one of likely dubious accuracy at that) starts to feel like it limits the sound pallet after a point. The performance is still top notch, and I think the integrated vocal works for quite a while. To my taste it just hangs on to the point of overbearance. I believe bronze is their ceiling. I'd prefer to see them in 4th, but I admit a healthy dose of Bloo homerism colors that opinion.

     

    Now we've got two weeks left. Any one of these groups could certainly still surprise me (or certainly even the judges). Luckily I'll have live viewings of three of them to inform my developing opions (oh how I wish I could catch BD live this year!) 

     

    As always, the season's end is coming too fast. As always, I'm blown away by the achievements of EVERY corps, not just the top placers. As always, the ride is phenomenally entertaining and inspiring. Best of luck to all the performers, educators, designers, administrators, parents, volunteers, and supporters. This $%!& is fun, amirite!?

    • Like 6

    Can Bluecoats Win?

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    So the constant tuba-doubling of BD's synth doesn't bother you?

    Did you notice that the only time you could really hear BD's tubas was when each player had a wall (er, mirror) behind them?

    Could you imagine the sound of say Bluecoats or Crown if they had walls behind their tuba sections? :thumbup:

    Okay, so this is the quote I was really commenting on. My bad. Blame the iPhone. LOL

    Can Bluecoats Win?

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    LOL, for sure. I remember all of the preseason Madison, Blue Stars and Boston Crusaders hype....putting any number of those corps above Bluecoats in almost every poll. Now they'll be lucky if one of them comes in 7th.

    Great point! I've listened and listened, but I don't hear electronic brass doubling in the 'Coats show this year. Their use of electronics actually adds to and interacts with the acoustic sounds of their brass and percussion. They lay it all right out there.

    Can they win? Sure! Likely? Probably not, but I wouldn't rule it out. I see a race at 1-3 and a the very compelling one at 4-5, but I also won't be surprised with ANY change in the top4 spots (I don't see Crown rising beyond 4th - or BD dropping below 2nd, for that matter).

    Throw in Phantom/SCV and Blue Stars/BAC/Madison, and well... What a year! I can't get enough!!!

    DCI Easter Classic Housing

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Looked up a few. I'll save you the work.

    Note: These are housing sites listed for these corps' performance dates at Allentown. This is a busy weekend. Most (if not all) of these corps are not in the same place for both nights of the Eastern Classic.

    Bluecoats

    Conrad Weiser High School

    44 Big Springs Road

    Robesonia, PA, 19551

    Cadets

    Conrad Weiser High School

    44 Big Springs Road

    Robesonia, PA, 19551

    Crown

    102 S Saint Cloud St

    Allentown, PA 18104-6766

    (484) 765-5300allentownsd.org‎

    Blue Devils

    Pleasant Valley High School

    1 School Lane

    Brodheadsville VA

    Cavaliers

    Penn State Schuylkill

    200 University Drive

    Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972

    Terrible Sound in Lucas

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    here's the issue with pits...

    look where the speakers go for most corps

    look where the mic stands are.

    yep....right in front of the speakers

    I guess I remember this coming up when "they" added amplification. Seems like the folks do the recording would have mics elsewhere so they could mix the sound a bit. I can't imagine crowd noise can be that much of a problem. Though in a dome, the echo would likely compound the further away from the sideline you went -- as evidenced by the comments on this thread.

    Lose, lose?

    Terrible Sound in Lucas

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Here's a topic for consideration: since Championships and two regionals are now in domed stadia, will arrangers/caption heads change their charts or sound to reflect that?

    I think they'll have to. It's all about finals week when you get to the bottom line, right? You don't design your show for high school stadiums in [insert inoffensive state here].

    Terrible Sound in Lucas

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I was at the theater, and was disappointed in the sound throughout. Pits were overpowering hornlines and drums (not just electronics either -- amplified mallets can pierce!) There was a moment in the Bluecoats' show that was almost painful. I got the sense watching many of the corps that they were adjusting as thy went. I imagine tomorrow will be a bit better.

    The echo was certainly noticeable on the broadcast. I'm wondering what my experience will be like on Saturday night. I'm waaaaaaaay over in the side 2 corner, section 631 (I think). I should be able to see forms pretty darned well, I guess. Sound may be completely jumbled, though. Sigh... 9 more years? I hope I'm wrong. I hope it works out alright. I'd be interested to see if an open roof made any difference, too. I'll be watching DCP and Twitter for everyone's comments about tonight AND tomorrow.

    Anyone have any thoughts on what the giant black death curtain did to help/hurt the sound?

    Twitter During Championships Week

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    #dciindy would be confusing 'cause of the double i... so my hashtag recommendations are:

    #dcichamp

    #dcifinals

    #dcilos (lucas oil stadium)

    Anyone? I need to add the search column to Tweet Deck.

    I say short and sweet. You only get 140 characters afterall. I'll be using #dci

    I'll be in the theater tonight, in front of my computer tomorrow, and in one of the worst seats in Lucas Oil on Saturday.

    I tweet as @gregbrock

    Soaring Sounds - Centerville Ohio

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I made it to Centerville! It was my first show (not counting Fan Network streams -- and they don't count) of the year.

    Troop IS for real, I agree! The horns were hot, hot, hot tonight! They've got their work cut out to stay ahead of Academy, though. The Arizona kids are playing their hearts out, too. I think Troops show design (esp. the visual package -- drill AND guard) should keep them ahead if they keep executing and improving through the end, though. I was sitting next to an old friend and fellow drum corps junkie. We were both pleasantly surprised with the mature and aggressive sound and look that Troop is putting out there!

    The Pacific Crest/Mandarins "fight" is pretty interesting, too. Both corps have come a long way since I saw them a year or two ago. I'm thrilled with how much Mandarins are filling our their brass sound! Way to go Sacramento! They seem to be taking some chances musically, and IMHO it's paying off. Best of luck through Indy!

    Like I said, I haven't seen anything live before tonight. If you remember me from when I posted more on these forums (a couple/few years ago) -- or if you look below -- you know I'm a Bloo Homer. There disclaimer out of the way. --- The Bluecoats stepped it up a notch tonight. The horns were on fire, and the drill clicked far better than anything I've seen from them online. They earned their spot in the 90 point club tonight, no doubt! Hunting Wabbits came off great tonight (I hadn't been thrilled with it in APDs and VODs/Streams)! Haitian Fight Song friggin' ROCKS THE HOUSE! The crowd seriously woke up as Bloo heated up tonight! Way to go, Canton!

    The Blue Devils sure can play. The brass is sounding great (and I had heard they would have an off year?). The drumline is tighter than my high school marching band uniform. I get why their show is scoring the way it is. Their use of electronics is tasteful (as tasteful as use of electronics can be -- lol). I just don't like this show all that well. It hits me like a really nice 4th place design. That's all based on MY opinion, but it gives me the feel that Cavies have a SERIOUS shot at passing them on Friday night next week. That's where I'm puttin' my prediction, anyway. I know some people are absolutely in love with this show, and I don't mean to take anything away from them (or especially the kids who are performing their ###es off); it's just not my cup of tea. Concord is still home to one of my favourite organizations in the activity, though. Man can they play. It's worth mentioning that the integration of elements (brass, percussion, guard, drill) is downright outstanding. They look great, sound great. Just wish I got into the concept a little more.

    Well, there you go. My quick and dirty recap. Maybe I've still got the energy to go look at the recaps before I crash and start dreaming about Crew Stadium for tomorrow night. Thanks for a great night, Centerville!

    Bluecoats Preseason CD!

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Hopefully this is available tomorrow so I can download it at work and listen to it about 2000 times.

    Yah, I'll deal with that. I can't download at work, though. I got my hopes up that I'd be listening to it on the way in.

    Well, I'll just have to keep the faith with that nice bump in the score tonight in that state up North.

    Signing out from Columbus (not Oxford... I'll fix my profile one of these days).

    Greg

    IncompleatAngler

    Red Dog

    Bluecoats Preseason CD!

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I'm so pumped! The 'Coats seem to have released a preseason CD (I don't think it was at the show last night...), and the Fan Network (Bluecoats Page) says "Download the 2008 Bluecoats..." and shows a little preview video (just some basic spinning logos with the music behind), but I can't find a download/purchase link!!! Am I missing something or is DCI.org?

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