Yet another Atlanta review...

[ptdawg2001]

There have been several good reviews of this show already written so I won't try to re-invent the wheel here, just give some of my thoughts about a great evening of drum corps. I was accompanied by my girlfriend, who is fairly new to drum corps but very familiar with the marching activity (she marched 4 years with Lassiter High School, for those of you with a BOA background). We were sitting about 1/2 way up the upper deck on the 40 yard-line. This was also my first viewing of all of the shows this season and my personal background is in percussion. On with the review!

Spirit - I will start by saying that I do like the new uniforms. I was not crazy about them from the close-up pics I had seen earlier in the summer, but from the stands they look very sharp, IMHO. As far as the show itself goes, nothing stood out for me in particular. I think this was somewhat of a "safe" show design for them, although I do think their drill was a bit of a step up compared to some of their outings in recent years. That harder drill may be a bit over the kids' heads right now, though. There are a lot of interpretation issues with step size and form. They had some nice moments and I think I like the direction this corps is headed. However, I do think they will be in a fight to stay in Finals as things now sit.

Glassmen - I like the concept of the show and I think the guard uniforms are very well designed. That said, this show really didn't do a whole lot for me. I am not sure if the design (the guard aside) sells the concept as well as it could. Personally, I had the sense throughout the show that a nice moment was coming shortly, but it never really delivered, the "wow" just didn't materialize. I also felt like this is one of the weaker drumlines that the G-Men have fielded over the past several years. They were known for some solid lines in the late 90's, early 00's and that caption seems to be suffering a little. Overall, I just don't feel like this show is as accessible as it could be. Depending on what Spirit, Blue Stars, Crossmen, and (dare I say it) Madison have to offer over the next 3-4 weeks, the Glassmen's spot in finals could be in jeopardy.

Colts - Love the new look! Very strong appearance, good sharp new uniforms (has there ever been a year with more new uniforms that this?). This is a much more mature and challenging design than they have featured recently. There are several exposed sections of the show that really challenge the individuals/small ensembles. I do think they could make the show a little more balanced with more interpretation of some of the other seasons in their "Equinox" idea. Winter and Spring seemed to be highlighted significantly more to me. Overall, though, I really like the direction the Colts are headed both this season and in the future. They have the potential to put some pressure on BK and Boston the rest of the way.

Boston Crusaders - The Picasso idea was well conveyed with the guard and the props (easels, frames, etc.). I wonder if the drumline ever thought they would be "painting on a canvas" in the middle of the the show. I felt the music, though, didn't quite capture me as much. It came across as of the design team decided to do an art show, already thinking about the props and the GE content of the show and then selected music as an afterthought. That isn't meant as a slam, it just seems the music itself wasn't the focus of the performance. The Cadets and particularly the Cavaliers have made this same type of format work recently, but it comes across better because their design, talent, and performance levels are off the charts. Back to BC, I feel this is a step down from some of the more intense program they have put out recently. My take: I think they are already basically slotted in the 8-10 range.

Carolina Crown - A significant step up in overall quality from the corps before them (and from BK who came after them). The guard was absolutely fabulous! They certainly deserve to be scoring where they are (was a little surprised to see they lost guard to Cavies). The percussion is very solid this year (good job, Lee Beddis) which is nice to see as this caption has held them back some the past few years. Very nice brass sound! Very rich and full. I really liked their ensemble sound in several points of the show. I heard several comments around me on how great Crown's brassline sounded. Along with Bluecoats, Crown got one of the best crowd responses of the evening. Granted, "horses" is not exactly a deep theme, but the kids seem to be buying into it and they sell it very well and the audience is really buying into it. William Tell was very well done, I thought. Marching-wise, they have a fair amount of dirt from an individual technique standpoint (that seemed to be what attributed to a fall near the end of the closer). Again, great guard and good improvement from the percussion! I think Crown and SCV will be going back and forth for 6th/7th with each having a chance to jump up to 5th or so should someone falter.

Blue Knights - They came in seeded 8th and finished 9th. I had them 10th personally. The brass seems to be playing a lot of notes, but none of it struck me as particularly challenging compared to some of the other brass lines. This show tome was somewhat like the Glassmen's "Gitano." It is a nice, safe show with not a whole lot of "wow." There just wasn't anything that after seeing the show, you told the person next to you "Boy, that was great when they ___________!" If you are going to do the high-stepping mark time for effect, each member needs to be interpreting the high-step the same. I do think their uniforms come across as slightly "BD-ish." I liked them better with the "dots." It was just more of a unique identity for them. I think Colts have a real shot to overtake BK down the stretch. BK is cleaner right now and may have more individual talent, but Colts just seemed to have more of an edge or a momentum about them. Again, just my opinion.

SCV - It may just be me, but I thought SCV came out a little flat tonight. I like some of their design elements and the drill is excellent. It may not be quite up to par with '99 or some of their other exceptional programs over the years, but very good drill for SCV still puts them in the top echelon of the activity. The "Eureka!" was a fun moment for the ground and it got a good response. I thought they were cleaner from a visual standpoint than Crown was, but Crown is edging them out in the show accessibility area. Several nice moments, but like I said, the show just seemed a little flat. Except for the cymbal line! Holy cow are they intense and a blast to watch! It's a shame so much else is going on because I would enjoy just watching them the entire show. They really add a lot and at times are the spotlight (sometimes the drill and staging seem to even be set up that way). Final word, I really think SCV has more in the tank. They will be battling with Crown for 6th/7th, but I think they have it in them to step up and maybe reach a bit higher.

Bluecoats - Talk about a group that seems excited about what they are doing! This corps is 100% behind their program and the crowd seemed right along with them. The new uniforms look great and may be the most striking in all of DCI. The uniforms are used very well, too, both with the front/back contrast and the different sleeve colors. The 'Coats have an attitude about them this year that makes them very easy to root for. The show is so well designed and was my favorite concept of the night. Their use of narration was tasteful and helped the show I thought. The silent drill section was very effective, although they have some dirt in the drill to clean there. I really thought they had one of the best brass sounds of the night (contras, oh my word!). When you think of best brass, they may not be the first corps that comes to mind, but they are so well-balanced. The guard is well integrated with the rest of the corps and propels the theme. Overall, a great show with a great concept. This vehicle has the potential to do some real damage (see them beating BD and Cavies recently) down the stretch. It will come down to cleaning and execution (the top 4 are a little ahead in these areas right now).

Phantom - With apologies to Bluecoats and Cadets (and Crown and BD), absolutely the best brass sound of the night I thought. Phantom's brass is so deep and round it sounds like you are listening to a concert almost. Which is saying a lot, considering they never seem to stop moving! The percussion is just phenomenal. Some of the front ensemble stuff is just sick and the battery is right there with them. Very tasty writing paired with great execution. Now that I have raved about 2 captions, I think the guard is holding Phantom back a little. I saw the thread debating the "bird" uniforms where someone stated the uniforms weren't complete. That may be the case, finals is still a month away, but I will say this: at this same point last year, Phantom's guard was doing a much better job communicating the emotion and concept of the show. How much of that is concept (Faust was great!) vs. incomplete material vs. performance? Who knows. Also, I thought Firebird really lost some steam towards the conclusion - I think the intensity could be ramped up a bit there. I really want Phantom to finish strong and push for the title, but without something more to help get the crowd into the show (GE) it is going to be tough.

Blue Devils - In some ways, this is classic BD. In your face brass, top shelf percussion w/ the battery doing some crazy drill, entertaining guard (maybe a tad below their usual standard, though). Above all, they are very, very clean. It's hard to believe they still have another whole month to polish. The show starts out hot with a fantastic opener that grabs you and holds you - very strong. After that, though, the show has a bit of a lull. I realize there needs to be some style/tempo changes throughout the show but that doesn't have to equate to a decrease in intensity. The conclusion of the show picks back up, but honestly I found myself wanting more at the ending. I realize there may be some changes in store so we will have to see. I do agree with some other posters than BD seems to be selling their program better than Phantom right now. Overall, I really feel like BD's cleanliness is what is putting them over the top. That may or may not be enough to keep them there.

The Cadets - What a talented group of kids! They brass and percussion are both just excellent and rival those of anyone else. I think their brass section has reached new heights the past several years. I'm not quite sure why they are losing so much on guard right now. They aren't in Crown's territory in my opinion, but I think they are still top notch. It has been said many times, but it is impossible to discuss this show without addressing the narration. In general, I am indifferent re: narration but I don't care for it in this show. Narration should be used just as an element of the performance. It should not be the binding glue that holds the show concept together, in my opinion. Further, can you honestly expect to be taken seriously when referring to yourself as "athletes of God?" This show has the design and the kids definitely have the talent and performance to take it home @ Finals this year. I think for that to happen though, some of the narration has to be moved out of the way. My girlfriend's first comment re: them was "I really hope they don't win. They are so good but the narration is just too much. You don't go to drum corps to hear someone read chunks of an essay."

The Cavaliers - Style, style and more style. The Cavies are so sharp and clean for this time in the season. They are a notch above everyone else drill wise, IMHO. I think the brass "roll and stand" move is a little overdone. Once you've seen it, you've seen it. It is a nice effect, but it became a little predictable. I am not a huge Billy Joel fan, so I really can't comment on that, although I did recognize Pressure. The drumline is smokin' as always (I think they slightly below Phantom and BD there). The front ensemble had some very nice features. Their brass comes across as top heavy and very "bright." I doubt the ending is fully installed right now as it wasn't a trademark Cavies flourish ending, the show just seemed to stop. I'll be shocked if it isn't beefed up by Finals. That said, I really think they are headed to a 3rd-5th place finish this year. They have style like no one else, but I'm not sure there is enough substance this time out. Time will tell. After 7 straight 1st/2nd place finishes, they may be due for a slight "down year" (for them, that is).

Sorry for the length, but I just wanted to throw my ideas out there. It was a great night and I am really looking forward to the rest of the season. I think there is some real potential for some spots (and a title) to be earned by the corps that push hard and really step it up. Thanks for reading - any thoughts/comments are welcome!

[NeutralNovice]

THANK YOU THANK YOU! Don't ever apologize for a long review, those are always the best. I hope to see another review from you again!