ThePlanets

"Timeless" and "Shows that can be played today with the same success" are two completely different things. My list of shows that were ahead of their time: Star of Indiana 1991 and 1993 Bluecoats 1995 SCV 1988/1989 Crown 2004 A number of 80s Cadets shows BD 08 which laid the foundation thematically for them to undoubtedly become the most successful corps in DCI history. This show didn't win but I feel it's much different than the 1994-2007 Blue Devils and this show could probably still pull a medal in 2022.

I forget how nice of a show Red is. Under the radar.

I actually have access to Flo this year but the following are the shows I haven't seen in world class yet - troopers - jersey Serf - pacific crest Category A- shows that probably won't make finals. Music City- I was very skeptical of the gasoline rainbows show and concept- especially after being disappointed by shows from my favorite top 12 corps but this show really works for them. Good music, good visuals- just a fun well written show. HM- Madison scouts. I don't like their opener much but the rest of the show is great. Category B- the likely 6-12 crowd. This is where the most enjoyable shows are this year. I really enjoy all of them with the exception of my perennial favorite BK. As HMs the Cadets and Phantom stand out and war and peace has never been so interesting (Blue Stars) My winner is the mandarins. Pink Floyd and Stranger Things are 2 of my favorite things so they were bound to be a favorite of mine. I was hoping for a really powerful interpretation of the main theme- but I can't have everything. Category C- the top 6 Woof. The Blue Devils show is pretty strong but it's a typical BD show. Same formula. It works for them. Carolina Crown, as always, has amazing brass but the show theming is lame and slightly annoying. Nothing makes me happier this year than hearing their hornline on the field. The Bluecoats certainly don't have a problem with boring anyone this year but their show is too much. Just too much. Boston. Yawn. 17-19 and even 2021 were so much more creative- it will be disappointing if this is the program that gets them their first medal after a handful of great shows that did not. SCV- bigger yawn. It's starting too look like Babylon was a flash in the pan for theor design team. Cavaliers- I'm looking forward to seeing their final product. It didn't look at all ready at the tour opener- get well soon Cavies! Bluecoats get this Category for me. Overall winner- Music City

Just as the title says. Let's put competition aside and talk about the shows that we just like this year.

I think 2010 Bluecoats is my least favorite show of theirs from 01-22. They played John Mackey which is very Bluecoats but it just didn't feel or sound like them- then it goes and wins their first medal.

No kidding but the shows I cited still took home silver and bronze respectively and 07 was already being compared to this show in AM earlier post.

Better than Cadets 2014 My read is more balance between narration and brass. A dimension of you can listen to the rambling if you so choose or you can listen to the brass. IMO the brass book could have a lot more content though...one of the reasons why they probably won't win gold.

It's the Bluecoats 50th. This show is the culmination of 3 years of intense planning. Is it too much and over the top? Yes. Should you be taking this show seriously? No. Will Blue get gold and be rewarded for this design? Probably not Admittedly I am a Bluecoats homer but. 1. We need a show that is an escape after this pandemic 2. I feel that most of the top corps have underdesigned, conservative, boring shows. This show is crazy but a welcome contrast

The difference is 15 years. The Cadets 07 show was amazing and they were pioneers doing something that at the time was absolutely cringeworthy.

Look up the velvet knights mystery tour shows. There are 3 of them. Other fun shows I can think of are Jersey Surf 04 (good luck finding it) , Jersey Serf 12, Bridgemen 80 If you are up for a project- watch the beloved 95,96, 97 and 2011 Madison Scouts shows and compare to 09 and 18. I thought 2019 was pretty good but the judges beg to differ. For good vs "bad" or "not as good" shows. Phantom 08 vs 09 Cadets 11 vs 17 SCV 95 vs 99 BD 05 vs any other show of theirs Bluecoats 09 vs 10 Crown 04 vs 05 Cavaliers 10 vs 12 Boston 16 vs 17

V for Vendetta

The 2010 show is an acquired taste but I can appreciate it. When a show as palatable as Mad World doesn't win fans get angry. You don't see to many people raving about BD 2012,2015, or 2019 either- because the by in large fan favorite won silver. Metamorph and Feliniesque get some appreciation because Tilt and Oroboros were a great shows but not championship quality shows. 201

I can play with a few combos ...That One Second of Kinetic Noise Think Johnny Depp in Transendence Mad World of Infernos Staring Smoky the bear Spark of Malaguena Fireworks and Latin Music We are the Russian Christmas Future Complete with a snow machine For the Common Mystery Tour Part III You know it ain't over until the fat lady sings. A Defiant Line It's a jagged line but with heart

My controversial opinions: The captions should hold more weight in scoring (brass,percussion, even guard) Madison 2019 should have been a lot closer to making finals. The best years for DCI by a country mile were 1980 and 2015 We need more shows like Jersey Surf 2012, Bridgemen 1980, Jersey Surf 2004, and VK as a whole. Where is the funny corps?

The following are not controversial or unpopular opinions: Crown 2012 or 2015 should have won Phantom 1989 was robbed https://youtu.be/xAmTXlYADtM

Ha! BDs most likeable shows are when they don't win. I do love 1930 though.

1. I'm not into abstract follow the leader drill. 2. Yes 3. I don't think this opinion is controversial but I think some stuff never gets old. Pink Floyd and Malaguena on the field every year. 4. I will give you that Jazz is not the Cadets bag. It's always square and sounds forced. But. Jazz is my favorite thing about DCI. Sorry BD but I think historically Madison and the Bluecoats do Jazz the best.

Let's see - I do love the jagged line. Probably my #2 Bluecoats show after kinetic noise. Bluecoats have been designing great shows for many years. Check out 1995 if you can find it. - I also love programmatic shows- although they have been much more common since Spartacus won in 08 they have been around a lot longer. SCVs Phantom of the opera is a great example of this. Also if you like the fun side of DCI find some old Velvet Knights shows. - Narration is a super controversial opinion but many of my favorite shows contain well used narration. "This I believe" by the Cadets is an amazing show that is so hated but it paved the way for more use if narration. The best show with Narration is Blue Knights 2014. By far. - I almost always am against singing. There are some shows I like that happen to have singing but I certainly don't like them because of the singing. I love Carolina Crown but 2017 and 2004 are two of my least favorite shows from any corps. Props- I can take it or leave it. I love seeing corps professionally enter the field and march like the 00-06 Cavaliers and props make that difficult. They can be used for some really cool effects or story telling. Woodwinds- no. GTFO

I'm doing a rewatch of 2014 right now. My friend and Bluecoats Alum took me to the Pittsburgh show in 2005 and he was incredibly surprised to hear that BK was my favorite corps of the night. (Cadets and Cavies were there too). I have loved BK ever since.

2022 is not the Genius of "I remember...everything". My favorite show of 2019.

I'm not a guard pro at all but I do want to acknowledge that BS hornline is very good this year. I was extremely impressed at the opener.

I agree. I'm not a BD fan but it seems like the championship is theirs to lose (it always is but moreso this year). 1. BDs swagger and overall GE are only rivaled by the Bluecoats but the Bluecoats are limited by music book and VA issues. 2. Crown, Boston, and SCV are all extremely talented. I could see Crown taking home brass, SCV percussion, and Boston guard but their shows all do have design issues. I think it will take a few years for the activity to recover from the pandemic.

According to my eyes and ears there should not be that much of a gap between BS and phantom.

This is the best Phantom has sounded in years. Really rooting for them this year.

.