DrumManTx

I got a negative for saying Chuck is awesome? lol wow. DCP never ceases to amaze me.

I have to ask, were they just REALLY dirty around Stanford or have they changed much besides the closer? I remember watching Stanford I was very disappointed and it felt really flat, visual design was kinda ok. Now I love it and I think they have one of the best visual and total packages this year. I don't think I've EVER had a show do a complete 360 on me in my mind like this since I've followed DCI. It's weird, I dunno if I just had a bad viewing or what, but now it's my favorite by far. (So awesome I said that a second time. )

These are all my opinions, based on the overall package, not moments. I love drill and mess around with writing some in my off time. It's fun. Top three designs this year IMO in no order: Vanguard Phantom Boston (staged well and the design isn't cluttered, they're achieving it at a pretty high level right now) The hardest: Crown Blue Knights Blue Stars Who's nailing theirs pretty well right now? Blue Devils Boston Phantom Spirit (they look super clean IMO)

You're awesome.

Perfectly with 1:29 to go. lol I need a life too.

And a shout out to the guys at The Academy's and Blue Stars booth, had fun talking to them for a bit! Favorite purchase was The Academy's show shirt, really cool!

My top 12 review: Was right on the 50 and pretty close to the field. Blue Stars - Still pretty dirty, but very enjoyable to say the least. If they can make a push this last week before Atlanta I could see them in the 10th - 12th range, if not, watch out for Crossmen. Really hoping they do, because they've been my favorite since 2010, and regardless of how they finish, I'm sticking with my favorite corps. Blue Knights - A lot better than the show I watched on the Stanford Webcast. Less electronics and a bunch of cool elements added. Won't say I loved it, but I didn't hate it. I liked it. Drumline should be in 7th IMO, Hardimon is doing an INCREDIBLE job! Spirit of Atlanta - Pure entertainment. I don't know if they have the demand to keep Blue Knights off them just because of how clean they already are. Regardless, very enjoyable performance. Cavaliers - Show is improving. Still missing that special something that makes a show click though. San Antonio really loved them! Boston Crusaders - Good ole drum corps right here. Not too much to think about. It's Roman, performing at a very high level, they'll fight with Cavaliers and maybe even Madison the rest of the season. Madison - What can I say? They know how to get the crowd going. Standing O for about the last minute. Very strong showing, while their style isn't necessarily my favorite, I appreciate what they're doing and completely agree with their placement. Bluecoats - Not going to lie, little disappointed. Very strong performance, but like Cavaliers, it's missing something. "Love Dance" was gorgeous though, I'll give em that. Closer is improved, just missing something. I loved it, but didn't LOVE it if you get my drift. Vanguard - HOLY CRAP! They were my favorite performance of the night. This show is REALLY starting to click and I think they have a shot at 3rd! They started getting momentum the middle of last week, and they're starting to get REALLY hot REALLY fast! The Cadets - First 2/3rds, absolutely loved it. To stay classy, I'll just say I did not like the closer. Phantom Regiment - They just have and aura about them, with the new ending they have coming, how far will they go? It's a real shame that the drumline is so low, because if they weren't Crown would have something to REALLY worry about behind them. Guard is incredible, the color palette is perfect for this show and contrasting with the corps proper. Carolina Crown - VERY loud! They had the hardest show out there by far, but were a lot dirtier IMO than Phantom and BD. Visual is going to be what keeps them from winning. I wonder if they made it this hard to just say "look what we can do!" I love the show, I just think they might have taken a bit more than they can handle visually, if they want to win that is. Musically they're fine, drums are starting to catch up. But once again, like 2009, visual is a crutch. I have a feeling this is going to go along with Cadets 97, Vanguard 03, ect, in the "if it had one more week" shows. Blue Devils - They deserved it. They didn't get a standing O or even close, but they were unmistakably the best corps out there. My opinion of this show is like their 2010 show, I love moments, but I don't love how they connect them. Unless Crown gets their act together visually, it's going to be #15 for them. Biggest Crowd Reactions: 1) Madison 2) Crown 3) Phantom 4) Jersey Surf 5) Oregon Crusaders My top 10 favorite shows: 10) Carolina Crown 9) Bluecoats 8) Boston Crusaders 7) Oregon Crusaders 6) Jersey Surf 5) Crossmen 4) Blue Stars 3) The Academy 2) Phantom 1) Vanguard Final thoughts: Oregon is truly a class act. They're performing on a ridiculous level for Open, the standing O they got was amazing. Jersey Surf, you guys are awesome! I get the vibe the could care less about scores and just want to have fun, and they're obviously enjoying it. Colts closer "All by Myself" is in my top 5 moments of the year. AMAZING! The Academy, a top 12 design. If they suddenly make a push and get really clean, watch out! If Blue Stars are going to make a move, it needs to be soon. Time is running out! The progress they've made this season is HUGE, it just needs to be kicked up even one more notch. Vanguard, thank you for absolutely shocking me. Quickly becoming an all time favorite. If BD wins, I won't be mad. They've got some...guts doing that show and I think considering the Dada inspiration, they're pulling it off.

Vanguard Phantom The Academy Blue Stars Crossmen In that order. Prior to going to San Antonio Vanguard wasn't even in the top 10, that show is quickly becoming and all time favorite for me.

It's all good. Are you excited?

Pioneer was on about 15 minutes ago according the shows facebook page.

That's not Ratliff stadium, 100% sure on that.

I did my last high school show in that stadium, great times! My old high school director is actually there.

They had the 5th biggest crowd reaction in San Antonio from where I was sitting. They were incredible!

Vanguard has my favorite show this year after seeing it live in San Antonio. I won't go into detail, but wow. Very shocked at what I saw and heard from them.

Finishing my drive to the Alamodome this morning, super excited! Will be posting on Twitter, will only be posting positive things! https://twitter.com/L_Kendrick

I had about the same reaction.

And that's where I go to church.

Regardless of the rest of the show or the narration, the first 2 and a half minutes are pure genius IMO, it can't get more luscious and melodic than that, I'd kill to hear that without amps, drums, pit, and in a horn arc.

Is it safe to say if PR's drumline was scoring where the rest of the corps is, they'd be beating Cadets right now?

I was about to say. I love this seasons competitiveness!

Nice score for Crossmen, Phantom still close to Cadets. Saturday's going to be interesting!

Sounds like I'm going to have to resist watching it online and see it for the first time live on Saturday!

The only problem I truly have with it is it's just lacking that special something that makes a show memorable. I think they'll have it by the end of the season regardless of how they place, since Akron I've just looked at the show as an empty canvas, what they decide to put on it will only make it better.

I actually live in Canyon, the little town that's 10 miles West of Palo Duro, I know a lot of people that work in it and are in the "Texas!" musical they have. And the thing about the feed lot dust, it is very true. My brother and sister have pretty sever asthma problems, and we had to move out of the town I grew up in because the feed lot dust was so bad, it was making it worse for them. So if you EVER go though Hereford Texas, roll up the windows! ANY WHO, back to the show. Sounds like Cavies show is slowly evolving to being ok to watch, that's good! I hate seeing all the negative stuff their "fans" are saying on facebook. (Not their actual fans, the fair weather ones)