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skywhopper

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Everything posted by skywhopper

  1. Untrue! I think he totally got screwed by NBC! Oh wait...
  2. I don't understand. There are layers of understanding and appreciation in any performance. It's certainly possible to design a drum corps show that is hard to enjoy without lots of context, but I'd say that's the rare exception. What shows this year "need a dissertation" to enjoy?
  3. I agree that this year feels special. I've seen all but three (Blue Devils, SCV, Blue Knights) of the top 11's shows live and I really enjoy every one. I also like what I've seen on fannetwork of SCV and BK. As for Blue Devils, the fannetwork streams haven't clicked with me, but since I haven't seen it live (and won't get the chance, alas), I won't dismiss it till I see it in the cinema and Blu-Ray.
  4. I also didn't get the MMX until just a few days ago.
  5. All of that whining completed, other than audio samples, I do prefer if synths stick to stuff not actually possible with otherwise-allowed instrumentation. The guitar in Crown's show this year, or the piano in Blue Devils last year, those are decent. But I was crushed, *crushed* when I found out that the "Somewhere" pit solo in Crown's show last year that sounded like a glockenspiel or something was actually just played on a synth. I guess it says something about my discernment abilities, but my point is, it *could* have been played on a real instrument. Why wasn't it?
  6. I am warming up to synth if its similar to the horns and pit equipment. This is the worst possible use of electronics, in my opinion. My philosophical objection to synths (and honestly, any amplification) is that you've then moved away from the challenges of live performance. It's hard to balance out your brass and pit? Amplify the pit! It's hard to get the texture you want from an all-brass hornline? Add synths. Want more low-end? Pedal tones not deep enough for you? Add more synths! Can't figure out how to communicate your theme with music and marching? Add an amplified narrator or synth-triggered audio clips! I won't disagree that synths and amplification and even voice can make shows more fun or interesting in some way, but it totally undercuts the incredibly hard work the members are putting in to make impressive sounds with hunks of metal, wood, and plastic using only their breath and muscles. The audience can no longer trust their ears, basically. A sound that's incredible when produced with no electricity is completely banal when it's produced by pressing a button. Cutting out synths limits the sounds you can make, yes. But what's the point of drum corps if you can just do anything? The *restrictions* are what make it meaningful and special. You can extend the argument to visuals. If computerized, electrified audio is allowed, why not video? Display technology is incredible these days. The Cavaliers guard's riflework is incredible, but you have to admit, things get dropped, and no one can fly. But if we just stuck some giant movable displays out on the field and showed a recording of a flawless performance, including slo-mo sequences, replays from multiple angles, special effects so it looks like the guard members are flying through space. You could make the displays big enough that the audience could see things much better. The thing is, watching a recording of something great is nothing like seeing something live, even if it's less great. And once you add computer effects to the mix, well who knows if what you're seeing on the screen even happened or if it's even possible?
  7. To whomever asked what was "Houdini" about the Blue Stars show: you can't see it on the streaming video, but the guard performs the first minute of the show in straightjackets, including some flagwork with their chins and legs. Then later, there's some tying-to-chairs action. And more than once, guard members or horn players disappear into the prop boxes. Maybe the theme is a little thin, but I love the show, personally.
  8. Your point is well taken. At least in the higher-priced sections, most of the audience seem to be serious fans. And I agree with you in theory that the lower-tier corps could use more exposure and deserve more respect. I still think shuffling the order would do them more of a disservice. I guess I can only speak for myself. My memory of the first DCI show I attended when I was maybe 13 is how impressed I was at every single corps. I would see a performance and think "That is the greatest marching performance I have ever witnessed!" And then the next one would be EVEN BETTER. I couldn't believe that this level of performance was actually possible, and then 15 minutes later it would be topped again. I was hooked. Did it matter what order they were in? I think the lower-level corps wouldn't have been impressive once I'd seen what the top level corps could do. And sure, that was the first DCI show I'd ever seen, but I find I still get a little bit of that feeling even now, moreso the longer it's been since the last show I saw. I love Madison's show this year, but I don't think I would like it nearly as well if I'd seen it right *after* the high polish of Crown or Cavaliers or Cadets.
  9. Yes, the G7 shows are all excellent this year, as usual, and it's fun to speculate on who's going to win and watch the scores shuffle around day to day and pick apart the exact reasons why one corps is scoring better than another. But one of my favorite parts of a new drum corps season is being impressed with, or surprised by, a lower-level corps that I didn't expect to enjoy quite so much. I'll start with Teal Sound. When they marched out, I did not expect to enjoy it. Last year's show really turned me off, and seeing the guitars come out again was a major bummer. But the opener was awesome. The drill was impressive, the playing was tight, and the guitar was actually well-blended into the arrangement to the point that I enjoyed it being there despite myself. The rest of the show got sloppy (to be fair, this was the Normal show, probably was their first), and the guitar crept in more and more and they lost me. But that opener, wow! Obviously Madison is on a roll this year. Great drill, great music, great arrangement, great guard, great soloists, and the audience loves it. But everyone pays attention to Madison... But I have to say, the show I most enjoy watching and listening to this year is Blue Stars. WOW! I have appreciated their talent in recent years but the shows (eg, Factory, Tour de France) didn't really do it for me. But Houdini... the music couldn't be better--amazing arrangements of Glass and Adams: I don't think Adams has been done better in DCI (I had high hopes for the Cavs show last year but they barely made use of the Adams material) and I don't think this particular piece from Nixon in China has been done before (correct me if I'm wrong, I'd love to hear other versions). I love love love the thematic guard work. But the mellos, OHMYGOD THE MELLOS. They are just incredible, and the arrangement shows them off to perfection. Thank you, Blue Stars! I'm now a major fan!
  10. For the most part, I agree with Greenteaisgood. Crown was my favorite show the past two years, even though early on in the season I thought they weren't doing enough. I feel the same this year, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they will end up really blowing me away by the end of the season. But, Greentea nailed it: they are hardly doing any interesting drill. One big move (the rotating rectangles that morph into a big diamond) is straight out of 2009's show, just on the other side of the field. I look forward the new ending. Still, incredible horn line. I'm happy just closing my eyes and listening. But unless they up the visual interest, I don't think they can pull off a silver again. Cadets: definitely their best show concept in years. Fits their style without going overboard with the feel-good sentiment that turns me off. As for gimmicks, I much prefer goofy baby noises to movie audio samples, narration, or singing. And Little Jeremy doesn't bother me at all as a "character". So thank you Cadets! I have no idea where this will fall, though. Bluecoats: I think they have momentum and energy and I think they are definitely top 3 this year. Personally, I don't like the amplified horns, much less running them through effects. Cavaliers: highest-energy show of the top five, when I've seen them. Again, the movie audio samples turn me off, but I love the corps chanting; the rifle work is *incredible*; and the music is great. My favorite pre-show, too. I think they have the best chance to upset BD. Blue Devils: Haven't seen them live so I won't judge them. Looks like they are on track for another win. They are obviously doing some great visuals with the mirrors, wish I could see it up close. BD's music never grabs me and so I never watch their shows enough to get hooked. That's my personal failing, I suppose. Based on what I see and trends now, I would not be surprised to see BD, Cavs, Bluecoats, Cadets, Crown. I think Cavaliers are the only ones who could beat BD this year, so good luck to them on that. Everything else is up for grabs, really.
  11. I'm new to DCP but I wanted to throw in some thoughts about Crown's show this year. I loved last year's show, and when I saw Crown at Normal this year, although the horn line is as ever incomparable, I was disappointed overall with the new show for a few days until I realized that I felt the same way after seeing last year's show at FirstBEAT. They just kept tweaking and tweaking until it was absolutely incredible, and I think they're on the same path this year. I went to the Kalamazoo show, and the (then-)new moves that the non-playing horns do during Danzon (after they run to line up on the 50) are just a fantastic visual. The crowd loved it, too (you can hear a little of the reaction on the fan network recording, but in person it was very noticeable--there was a gasp when they first laid down in a ripple, and then once they got back up everyone cheers). They've thrown in a lot of other visual tweaks, along with a couple of big chords, since the Normal show. I'm thrilled with the descriptions of the new ending (haven't seen any video, don't know where to look). I don't think I'm going to get to see them live again this summer but I'm confident they're on track for another amazing show come finals week. I'm looking forward to seeing it on the movie screen at least.
  12. I have to say that presenting the corps in order roughly by increasing quality makes the show much more enjoyable for the casual or novice audience member. As someone else pointed out, if The Cadets are followed by Teal Sound, then everyone is going to enjoy Teal less than they otherwise might. Folks who go to hundreds of shows might not experience this issue, but non-expert audiences are going to leave unimpressed with the lower-scoring corps or even feeling negative about them, whereas if you start with the lower-level corps and move up, the audience can be impressed over and over by each and every corps. I think that's better for the corps and better for the audience.
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