cadet93
-
Posts
937 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by cadet93
-
-
Hi, this is just an observation, but it seems that much hoop-la has been made about The Cadets narrative shows as somehow being out of character with the True Identity of Drum Corps.
Why do so many people think that is the case when other Corps have members running 'not marching' in an attempt to 'risk ubsurdity' I guess, or portray Samuris?
My question is the following: Are Cadets blemishing the musical aspects of DCI anymore than BD/Cavies are the Visual?
Talk amongst yourselves...
-
Cadet-
Yep, Harvey (and mobrien) have got it right. Personally I think Harvey's also got it right when he calls the narration "trite, flip & not at all well thought out". It's not about narration in general or the Cadets, it's about bad narration. Have you seen it?
I stand corrected. Why would they use this Fake "APR" station? Are there copyright issues with 'NPR'?
Regardless, I 'personally' think they have improved the narration this year even at this incredibly early stage of the season, and as everyone seems to agree, there is a fantastic drum corps on the field.
It should be interesting to see how the season progresses. Obviously, Cavies and BD will have their characteristic dominance through mid-late July, then I feel that things will get interesting, and I an see Cadets, Phantom, and SCV challenging the two of them.
Having viewed the webcasts that have been posted thusfar. I have to give some props to BD it is my favorite product from them in quite awhile, and IMHO, much more interesting than last year which to me was boring after the opener. Cavies have a standard 2000's formula Champsionship show for them. Cadets show seems to be a 'lessons learned from last year' to me. I haven't seen Phantom or SCV yet, so can't comment.
It will be interesting.
Thanks for the corretion!
-- Anthony
Cadets 93-97
-
The Cadets were on next. After despising their show design the past 2 summers (although last summers show would have been one I enjoyed quite a bit if the narration had been axed) I was braced for the worst with this show. Perhaps it was because I had my bar set so low, but I actually liked most of the show. They march quite well, have a solid drill, and a great hornline. The narration IS annoying very annoying but it least its less narration than last year, and its segmented into bursts which is better, I think. I cannot stand the ending though. It seems trite, flip & not at all well thought out. Very anticlimactic to the great music licks that precede it. The guard seems to have a lot of cleaning to do if they want to challenge the top corps this summer. And officially waiting for it starting now, though perhaps it wont come till Finals week but Im waiting for one of 2 things to happen (or both) from the crowd this summer. Either someone is going to yell Change the Station after their APR introductory narration, or someone is going to yell and now back to a Drum Corps Station as the next corps marches on the field. I cant say they arent asking for it by their stubborn refusal to acknowledge the drum corps field is not well suited for narrative shows.
Harvey,
Thanks for the review.
Just FYI I think the show references an NPR (National Public Radio) program "This American Life", not APR. If people are so dedicated to disliking the narrative aspects of the Cadets show, they probably should at least have their facts straight.
Have a great day,
-- Anthony
Cadets 93-97
-
I fell at the Charleston, WV show in 93. In additon I think around three other hornline members fell, at isolated times during the same show. I remember the speach George gave after the show he just point blank told us 'you have to stop falling'. It was particularly embarrasing for me because all of my high school friends were at that particular show.
-
Very objective Review Thanks!
I was at the Hershey show as well sitting on th 50 at the top of the stadium. I am admitedly a little biased having marched in The Cadets.
My thoughts on the corps that I saw:
Crossmen
I was very interested in seeing them 'post move' and had mixed emotions. I think they will be fine if the intense Texas band community will get behind the idea of Drum Corps. The talent pool both member and instructionally that they have to pull from is immense. I think the challenge is to direct the TX talent from being solely band focused and get them to see the rewards of Drum Corps. I think the Crossmen move is a step in the right direction.
The show does seem choppy to me, but I think it is a transition year that will allow them to go in a more symphonic direction in years to come which will highlight the skills of the design staff.
Blue Knights
Very solid performance levels and there were definitely very interesting moments. For me they seem to have a very similar show every year. I would like to see something new and refreshing from them.
Carolina Crown
Great show!! Accesible, Technically Demanding, and Intriguing Clear design all at the same time. Is this possible in modern DCI?? They prove it is this year and I appreciate it. Regardless of Finals placement or scores, this show will be remembered. It reminds me of the shows of the late 80s and early 90s from Star and the Cadets that initially peaked my interest in DCI. BRAVO!
Blue Devils
Very High Performance Levels for early July and as usual a very clean product coming out of Concord. I guess I don't view this show as being terribly demanding, either in the hornline drill, or hornbook, but I never marched a BD show so feel free to flame away.
I LOVE the opening 3 minutes of the show and then it kind of dies away for me.
The Cadets
Admitedly Biased as I am an alumni. However, I will say the narration could be toned down greatly while sustaining the 'This I Believe' concept. Several of the lines are quite heavy handed. We will see how it evolves over time.
That being said. Holy hornline and drill. It just puts a smile on my face to see the drill demand back. I am also very very impressed by the hornline. The years I marched (early, mid 90s) we (the hornline) were definitely the weak link of the corps. It is great to see them playing such an intricate, difficult book so well.
They definitley are not as clean as BD right now and had a few blatant Guard issues Monday night. If anything holds them back this year it surpisingly will be the guard, they are not at the same talent level as previous years, does anyone know if they are very young?
So I hope this was not too biased, I try to point out the strengths and weaknesses of each corps in as objective of a manner as I am capable.
Can't wait for Murphreesboro.
-
If you go to You Tube and type in Cadets 2007, you may find a video of them warming up at one of the earlier shows. The brass line plays the Shaker Hymn theme on one of those videos. Check it out. My guess is that may very well be their new closer, but who knows.
I saw the exact video you mention - the alpharetta warm-up - it seems like it will be the new ending, I agree. Interesting arrangement, not the straightforward '87 version.
-
Hop has already mentioned there will be a 1 minute ending to be added at a later point in the season.
It seems obvious, but does anyone else think this will be Appalachain Spring - 'Simple Gifts' and maybe another dissolving company front a la the '87 or the quiet ending from '87.
It would fit given the opening of the show - honestly the App Apring opening doesn't make sense really without a tag at the end also.
Thoughts?
Just an observation...
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted
In my opinion, it is such a weak argument to criticize narration as making the corps 'look like a group of nerds'. Maybe the narration is intended to point out reality and things that are true, or at least provoke some thought.
The music, marching, and spinning can still be amazing, and set a drum corps apart from being as you say 'nerds'.
That response seems very ignorant to me.
-- Anthony