Guardguy89

From what I've seen so far: I still have issues with the amount of time BD's guard spins on place and how they never seem to toss while on the move, or how they can just run to their next set without work - however, having said this, they are by far my favorite guard program this year. What they bring to the program, the "Felliniesque" aspect of their movement and the professionalism, technique and training of each and every member is spectacular. I thought Crown should have won last year. I felt their equipement, movement and drill was insanely difficult (a 7 blade tosse on the run- sure!!) and their performance level was spectacular. This year, I'm not so sure. They're still fantastic, but there's just something missing - for now anyways - and those round orange disk things aren't doing them any favors. Boston Crusaders have a very, very difficult show with multiple responsibilities. They are still struggling with it, and will need to clean it up if they want to get the credit. Absolutely love how they are portraying the music and what they are attempting to do - it just needs to be stronger. Vanguard - who in my opinion should have been 2nd in guard last year, has another strong guard this year. It doesn't have the "surprise" factor that last year's guard does (who was expecting them to be that good!!!!) - but they are still a very strong ensemble for the corps and I love the ballad choreography. Phantom is Phantom is Phantom. Their book is meatier than last year, and they are gorgeous as usual, but they don't have the wow factor yet. Definitely like the black portion of the show better - and they obviously are very well trained as usual - they just need some "special" moments in there. Not sure how much growth the program has without making major changes. Cavaliers - much stronger program than last year. Great costumes. I'm afraid of the emphasis that is placed on the 8 weapons though. They are clearly front and center for everything, and so far they aren't as strong as previous Cavalier weapon lines, so bobbles and mistakes stick out quickly. Still, I find that their program has alot of room to grow over the season - so I'm excited to see where it will go. BlueCoats are my surprise of the season. They are strong, they are clean and they clearly help sell the Tilt concept. Still not sure that the opening rifle / movement segment and the "V" poles used in the ballad are the right visual choice - but what do I know as they are scoring extremely well. Orange definitely is the new Blue! Crossmen has another strong program. They've been putting out some really excellent guards over the last couple of years, and I think this could be one of their stronger ones. Really seem to have a strong handle on their book early season - so that's always great to see. The Cadets probably have their strongest guard this year since the early 2000's. Still not sure that the blue costume fits all that well with the corps proper though. The opening flag statement at the beginning is gorgeous - they're on their way back to being a dominant power in the guard world. I'm excited toi see what the costume changes bring and hoping that they use the stage more - seems like a waste at this point. Blue Knights - I love what they are doing this year. It's stilll really, really, really dirty, but the potential is there. Not sure that having them in the exact same colors as the corps was a great idea - they kind of get lost sometimes when they're integrated to the horn line in the drill. Last point- is it just me or does Troopers guard "yellow" seem just a shade off??? Later, Mike

Awesome thanks! Mike

Did I miss something - or did they take out the G7 form in the show - I was watching the latest VOD and didn't spot it this time? I'm really hoping they didn't take it out - I liked the statement it made with respect to their Animal Farm theme later, Mike

Anyone else notice that Bluecoats beat BD in guard last now - that's pretty major - congrats! Later, Mike

I really like what Colts are attempting this year - yes it still has issues - but I'm sure they will be worked out. I "got" it right away - Scarecrow has taken over Oz - he's evil (I liked the throne up front), dressed as a slick businessman to draw parallels with today - I get it - it's not hard to get. Does the narration overtake the music at some points - yep - do I think it will be fixed by DCI - absolutely. I don't usually spend much time watching Colts. They've rarely had shows that really appealed to me or made me want to watch from start to finish - and this one does. It's dark and strange and weird and off center - and isn't vanilla - so I really appreciate that. And for those of you who think distorting "Oz" doesn't work - just look to "Wicked" on Broadway Can't wait to see it live later this summer. Later, Mike

I just don't agree with this. I think too many drum corps are trapping themselves in with these "stories" that need to be told - and sometimes end up being just sooo cheesy - Cadets Toy Souldier in 2010 - or unnecessary - Phantom 2009's "story" ruined the show (for me at least) Bluecoats have put the emphasis back on music / drill /movement and GE with a non literal story that is held together by the "Tilt" concept - and that - to me - is pushing drum corps to where it needs to go. I'm also giving props to Boston on this for their totally non literal interpretation of Animal Farm. Let's stop pushing the "corps needs a story line and here's how to do it" line and start appreciating this show for what it is - really, really, really cool and fun and exciting! Later, Mike

I have a feeling Spirit's guard will be their achilles heel once again this summer. The guard design is just not where it should be. I'm loving Boston - I hope that they continue to explore this genre - it has something really new and exciting to it - doesn't matter how dirty it is right now - it's mesmerizing. Bluecoats -this show is insanely good. I even think the guard contribution has become much stronger - really looking forward to seeing this show live! Later, Mike

Yeah - sorry - not the Caravan part - that's gold - I'm talking about Habanera from Carmen! Later, Mike

I really like what Crossmen is doing this year....and I get why they are playing "Carmen" at the end - but even though the opera is about a gypsy - the music itself doesn't have a gypsy feel to it and doesn't seem to fit the rest of the show. Later, Mike

Is it me - or is there too much black in the corps proper uniform at the start? It doesn't transition well to the all black look as it starts out being too similar. There is a great contrast with the guard though - and the half / half section works well visually. I think they should have kept the white uniform for the first part of the show (although I'm guessing a complete uniform change would have been near impossible to handle). Maybe pull a Vanguard '85 white pants change??? Later, Mike

Don't get me wrong....it's not "Extraordinary" or "Bond" or "Niagara Falls" or even "Mad World".......however compared to "15 minutes of Fame" and "Secret Society" - it's a much, much better production overall. There's even very Cavalier like drill in the last number - but I still miss all those great visual moments they used to have that helped tell the story visually. Later, Mike

All kidding aside, this is a nice step forward in the next evolution of the Cavaliers - and the show has alot of room to grow and is a much better vehicle for them than the last 2 years And....oh yeah....they're really taking a bite out of the competition

Love the show this season - hoping color guard can make some changes to add more to the show - I find that they spend alot of time doing movement that gets kind of lost and doesn't add to the big picture - and the "V" poles in the ballad need to go - they aren't adding anything at all to help color the music visually. Although I love the opening statement with the rifles - also not sure it's big enough as a statement. Really pulling for this show this year! later, Mike

Love that this was a guard focused review - we don't have a lot of those! I didn't know Michael Lentz was doing Boston - that helps explain alot - I really do like the show though and hope they can master it! I'm loving Bluecoats - but not sure that the guard is contributing enough at this point. If they weren't in orange I'm not sure I would have noticed them as much. Little things like the "V" poles just don't seem to add visually. I'm hoping they continue to add "colour" as this show could go really far! Totally agree on the Cadets blue costume - not sure it was the best choice. later, Mike

That would be Madison's show - and I have no idea what that is either Mike

This show is really, really good - and has a sense of "something new" - which is always exciting. Love the design and the music. I'm not sure the guard is contributing enough though. If it wasn't for the orange costuming I think they'd get lost. At this point - they're not adding enough to the overall effect (for me). Case in point - That little "V" pole in the ballad doesn't add anything. I'm hoping they start layering on the guard work and add impact and color as the season progreses. But - wow - what a show!!!!! later, Mike

I have to say I really like this show - there are some great ideas, very cool drill moves and I love "dark" shows. Not sure the Animal Farm theme is totally comprehensive yet (apart from the guard wearing animal masks and a couple of musical and visual references scattered throughout) but this show has a ton of potential. The guard really needs to clean it up though - that was one rough run!!!! Later, Mike

Ok - so this is definitely the strongest show they've had in a while - and it has alot of potential to grow. As I was watching it though I kept wondering what the moving marimbas had to do with the theme (seems like it's a cool idea so they put it in the show - but it has nothing to do with what they are trying to portray). I'm hoping they go "darker" as the season progresses and that the drill also helps tell the "Immortal" story better (remember how well the James Bond show drill told that story) So at this pont - I'm cautiously optimistic - but I still don't get the marimba thing! Later, Mike

A couple of great ones: Crown 2007 - 2013 Star 1993 Phantom 2005, 2006, 2007,2011, 2012, 2013 Cavies 2000 - 2011 Bluecoats 1995, 2010 Cadets 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001,2005 Blue Devils, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 Vanguard, 1985,1999, 2000, 2004, 2013 Blue Knights, 1993, 2011, 2012, 2013 Crossmen, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998 Spirit of Atlanta, 1986, 1987 Suncoast Sound, 1984, 1988, 1989 Later, Mike

I've had a love / hate relationship with Onyx over the years. But I really do think that this year's show struck exactly the right balance between a more "traditional approach"' to programming and the style that Onyx seems to typically prefer. It was without a doubt one of the best designed shows I have ever seen, made better by the extraordinary performance that the members gave at finals. And I'm not gonna lie - seeing them do ensemble work made me smile Definitely one of the most memorable shows I've ever seen live ! Later, Mike

Well that was a pointless rant - maybe people don't participate as much because of all the snarky comments. Anyway.... Really liked how Vanguard's show has grown this season Lexis in IO (The Charlotte's Web Show) is awesome !!!! Overall - still think there are just too many "slow" shows out there - the excitement seems to be missing for me in that aspect And just naming a theme doesn't mean the theme is there in your show - I'm seeing alot of that too this year!

Does anyone know what Braddock's theme is? I don't understand what they're trying to portray at all. Strong members - especially the featured guy at the beginning - but I kept trying to figure out what the show was about (Greek Gods? The end of the World? The White Party?) Love Paramount - the show has grown so much - the show really has a fresh feel to it. Black Gold - I'm liking more and more, will be interesting to see where they can push it for WGI.

I'm not sure what Emanon is doing "thematically" - but I really, really liked the show Flanagan has a really cool Mount Everest concept - and the tent idea is very cool. If they can clean that show - it will be awesome Black Watch has some solid rifles !!!! I liked Field of View - but it had too many similarities to Blue Knights this summer (balls, colour scheme, flag choices) Imbue will be a strong contender again this year - strong performers with excellent technique Fantasia - so much better than last year's "West Side Story"!!!!!! Les Eclipses - probably their most complex show yet - should be a strong IO finalist this year!

Ok I'll play...I agree, we should be discussing the season more!!! I absolutely LOVE Carmel - what a great take on a "western" themed show I totally get Onyx this year - It's probably just me, but I like the fact that it looks more like a guard show this season I think it's Purdue University (Ind A at the Indianapolis regional) - I do not understand how this show scored so low - it's a really good show!!! Alter Ego - their staging is always so great Really like Blessed Sac - miss their rifle line though! I am kind of tired of all the slow music though. It gets kinda boring after a while. Later, Mike

The Cavaliers have one of the best in my opinion. Later, Mike