I will only include corps I have seen live in my early favorites list. I am pretty sure I would include some corps who have been on the West Coast if I only saw them live. So with that in mind:
1. Bluecoats - I have to admit a bias here as I live about 20 minutes from where they do their spring training, so I have been exposed to them a lot more than I have the other corps. Even so, what they are doing with integrating electronics into their show is unreal. The way they move the sound around the field has to be experienced live. I saw the show at the cinema, and it doesn't come off the same at all. I have heard it described as 3D sound. I describe it as quadrophonic sound, for those old enough to remember quadrophenia. The horn line is superb. I understand that 600 people auditioned for the 80 spots and it shows. I mentioned to some staff members that if I were a 21 year old version of myself, I would have been part of the 520 who didn't make it. The drum feature is impeccable, and the guard is doing some amazing choreography that perfectly enhances the outstanding visual production.
2. Carolina Crown - The horn line. Period. Also, the drum line is much, much improved, and the visual use of the huge tarps is breathtaking (when they work). A better transition from hell to paradise would be nice, but I have no doubt it is coming. Oh, and no trampolines - huge plus!
3. Cadets - Honestly, you can juggle the top three on my list (or maybe Blue Stars can), so I don't mean to demote Cadets by listing them third. They had me at 220+ beats a minute. Classic Cadets run and gun, with a brilliant waltz section that breaks things up nicely. And that percussion section! Surgeons can operate on those snares!
4. Blue Stars - A show that’s a lot dirtier than the top three, but so much is happening. Love the sideshows, and the show as a whole will only get more enjoyable as the dirt is scrubbed away, especially in the horns.