Bydloyoho

I feel for Devils. It reminds me of long distance runs in athletics where an individual leads the race all the way round but is pipped at the finish. Everyone works just as hard in the race but the person in the lead has to think at some stage 'surely I've done enough to deserve this' - not the way it works though. haven't been a fan of recent Devils shows but Absurdity breaks the trend. Definitely going to get rewatched many, many times. Well done guys but Phantom just had something extra special this year.

Oh man, such a huge question. Here's a small answer: watch the last three minutes of Star of Indiana 1990 a few times and then, when you know it, go watch the last three minutes of Star 1991. Classic brillance. after watching a bunch of the suggestions here, go watch Star 1993 for a bit of a shock to the system.

I don't forsee the 'back to the roots' show everyone expects next year at all actually. I have a strong feeling that this year will push the Cadets creative team even further in their current direction, determined to show us that narration can work. Weird thing is, voice as spot effect is being used effectively by a few corps but Cadets seen determined that it MUST be narration for some reason. I expect quotes from Leony or life story narration next year. Meh.

I think Phantom sacrifice some movement for musical power and that's fine. Cavies do the opposite with more movement and less power. Both are aesthetic choices and are fine IMO. Can't agree that BD 08 will inspire future corps more than Phantom this year. To be honest, I'd not like to watch 20 ABSURD shows where anything goes. We'll see, but I think the trend towards getting more crowd reaction and connection and away from random aesthetics has been already in motion for the past two years.

Bluecoats The Boxer brass chorale.

What's wrong with it? Here's my two cents: There's too much of it and it's pretty much doggrel. Add that to the fact that this lower quality portion is obscuring the music and the fans are annoyed, particularly as it seems like theres really strong brass and percussion this year. There's also the 'if we don't tell you what the show's about, you won't get it' factor. Actually I 'get' Crown, PR, Glassmen, etc just fine because the emotion comes through in the music. As a matter of fact the narration gets in the way of the Cadets doing exactly that. Lastly, the music seems to have no connection to the narration. Add to that the fact that the Cadets staff seemed happy with this, I think, stirred more fan unease. To be fair, the mere fact that they've chopped and changed it seems to indicate that they realise that it doesn't work. I'm a bit worried by Simple Gifts appearing at the start though. Seems a bit cynical. Why not go the whole hog and play the anthem at the end and recite the Pledge too?

Can we balance this with a "Shows that didn't do well but you loved" thread?

But you accused people in Iraq and Cuba of not being free - that's what people do in Russia, man!

OMIGOD.DISASTER..SCV ARE DOOMED!!!!!!!!!!!!! etc. Tsk.

91 Blue Devils Every aspect of it stunning. Cannot understand their placing to this day.

YES! this was an amazing thing to see ;) Dean Uh, which? The bare chest or the fact that she carried on? :)

Yes, yes, yes. This show is fast becoming a firm favourite of mine and the sop feature is stunning. So evil sounding...