general_tsos_chicken2

jamey thompson wrote good drill for that show, agreed (nothing interesting, but smartly written). There were so many other factors that made it very bad IMO. My argument for the scores they received is how talented the corps was, outside of percussion. I'm not sure how this season will go, there a lot of things I really like about their show. The members are struggling though no doubt. I guess the point was that maybe we should hit the breaks on freak out mode. I think there is a real possibility we see good things start happening.

I think we're going to have to agree to disagree on most of this. 2013 was terrible, embarrassing. Bad arrangements and that stupid puppet. In what way is the drill from the 80's? I don't see that at all... I think it's demanding because the music itself is so fast. I'd be interested to know the bpm of the shostakovich and the Jarre. Can't really make easy drill that's at all effective when you are going that fast. I agree that there is nothing drillwise that really wows you, but then again I don't ever see that from BD either. I think the drill stages the guard well which is the most important factor in vis design IMO. The drill itself is is good enough. Disagree here. If phantom were doing crowns 'inferno' show would you still call it stuck in the past? I think this is much more 'modern' than that in many aspects. I think everyone would agree that Inferno was an incredible show. And if they decided to go the Madison route I would react appropriately to how it turns out - but good god would I be disappointed initially! :) We must have seen two different early season shows. Crown was not todays crown (although they were on an ascent) so you can't really compare. They (phantom) placed relatively well early on (VERY well if you're going by their standards today) because their brass and percussion were incredibly strong. The visual design was embarrassingly terrible which is why most of it was re-written and the guard was mostly re-staged throughout the season. Not to mention those awkward awkward pauses. Glad they figured it out well enough! Still not my idea of a great visual program, but it worked just well enough to make it one of my favorite shows at the end.

I think you are being a bit dramatic. This is definitely their best effort as a whole package since 2012. Yes, talent isn't what they used to have, that's what happens when you are finishing consistently 8th/9th rather than top 5. But to get back near the top you have to start somewhere and I think they are in a good place for that. I see a lot of layering happening, and not a ton of major changes outside of the ending. Spartacus sucked complete ### at the beginning of the season (yes, different design team, but the point stands). Let's see where this goes a bit before we get dramatic.

disagree

Do they use bass trombone? I feel like the Khachaturian needs bass trombone :D

but I love that effect

phantom

how's the drill?

i want to see this show!

explain

I said before, it's like watching a michael bay movie

so more about the show itself?

this show reminds me of a michael bay movie

I'll make a 1-12 prediction once I see all the shows, but for now I will do it pre-season sports style STOCK UP: SANTA CLARA VANGUARD They have been steadily climbing the last few years and now have one of the best designers in the activity with them in Michael Gaines. STOCK DOWN: CAROLINA CROWN They will be okay, but hard to improve when you lose so much of the design team. Show will be good, but not quite as enjoyable as some past shows. STOCK UP: PHANTOM REGIMENT They have been given absolute poop for their show designs as of late, but the members somehow managed to perform the hell out of it regardless. They will be MUCH MUCH improved in the design area this year with the addition of of Wes Cartwright, and have some very enjoyable music. Percussion may be an achiles heel. STOCK DOWN: THE CADETS Hard to recover when you lose those who give you your identity in the design department, much like phantoms situation when they lost JD Shaw. They will take a while to find their identity again. Percussion will be a strength. STOCK UP: BLUE STARS Another corps that has been strong lately and just needs another push. I think the new (old) arranger will give them that push. Guard/visual looks to be fantastic. STOCK DOWN: BLUE KNIGHTS No reason for this other than the corps around them may be improving at a faster rate than them right now. After an incredible 2015 many were looking to see a big jump in performance and placement in 2016 and it didn't quite happen. They will without a doubt be a strong corps, but how will they get over this hump? STOCK UP: BOSTON CRUSADERS Obvious choice is obvious ;) .

Yeah, reserving judgement on the vis until I see a high angle. My initial thought when staff changes were made though were that a lot of people were suddenly going to realize what they had with May. No denying that sacktig is one of the best though, too.

weren't some thrown in the a river to see if they'd float (or drown)? Or was that just general accusations of being witch?

I think you're right. But it would be a better visual effect than throwing someone in a river

are fans allowed? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyHAdaA6zFo

50 bucks says that guard girl will be being burned at the stake by seasons end.

so crown, scv, and bd all doing different interpretations of the same concept this year?

it's michael shapiro work, of course it is. And the work always gets done. They will be a strength

I just meant a prince costume in general - not necessarily that pic. But that's me :p

All I can think of... but it's not bad.

He's great, but I prefer jd shaws arrangements.

Did part 2?