Minneapolis, MN review

[jwillis35]

My overall thoughts:

1. Great Show!! We all got treated to some excellent drum corps, and the crowd seemed to be having a great time. Just from the FN broadcast I could hear the roar of the crowd a lot, which means they liked many moments in a lot of shows.

2. The placements were about right, at least for now. The Cavaliers being in front of Madison was DCI's judges just getting it WRONG , but that will correct itself soon. The Cavaliers are cleaner with a horrible show that has almost no coherent musical phrases, too many choppy percussion breaks (good for the percussion, bad for musical development), and very little GE impact. Madison is dirty with a show that oozes musical development, impact, GE, and audience reaction. I think the Scouts will clean. I hope so.

3. What's to come: a lot of show changes for some, and cleaning for others. Let the games continue!

I really enjoyed the Blue Devils' show last night. Many may not care for it, but it's so unique and risky, yet also full of surprise, excitement, and color. The visual is well done, although I do worry that there is too much scatter drill. The guard is incredible!!! Listen to the music carefully. This is not a chopped-up musical book. This is a well-developed book that logically builds to peaks and valleys as well as any on the field. It doesn't do it in the same sense that Carolina Crown does, or The Cadets and Phantom, but it still achieves the effect, just differently.

As much as I think Phantom may challenge Cadets, Phantom is really clean with a great show, and the Cadets are really dirty (2nd half especially) with a great show. It will be close for a while, but my feeling is the Cadets pull away. I think the top 3 at Finals will be Crown, BD, Cadets. I think if Carolina Crown cleans their feet, THEY WIN! That brass book alone should just garner them the title. :worthy: Most demanding thing I've heard in years and years.

I can see SCV over-taking Phantom. I love both shows in a big way (and Bluecoats), but SCV has the edge in drill, GE, percussion. Phantom has the edge in brass and guard. Both shows have extreme high points. The Bluecoats could also make a run here, but their guard holds them back some while their brass and percussion are very strong. BLOOOO has a super show this year and I felt they had a bad marching night. Many forms just seemed off to me. They have much cleaning to do so look out for Bluecoats. They may need to re-write the ending I think. Their are a few dead spots, but nothing major.

If Phantom re-writes anything it will be very minor. SCV will probably not do any major re-writes. They just need to clean. In the end these 3 corps will be on the tails of each other. All great shows, all are solid in every caption. Who takes 4th? My gut reaction after last night is SCV.

By the way, if we think Boston isn't trying to jump in the category above, we are crazy. I absolutely love their show. Visually they have always been stout. Year after year you see great design from these guys, but the brass books of the last few years have been fantastic! They were 7th last night, but if there is a Dark-Horse for top 5/6, these are the guys. The ending struck me as safe, so I can see them making some changes there, but the rest of the show is just great writing, and the performers are nailing it.

Madison is also going to be heard from once they clean. They, too, could potentially break into that 5 slot, maybe 6, with the right changes and a seriously clean performance. They will be the crowd "killer" come DCI Finals, no doubt. The ending of their show is goosebump city! :worthy: :worthy: Nobody brings home the "bacon" like the Scouts, but lots of cleaning to do for the Boys.

I haven't seen Spirit this good in years and years, and they definitely deserve a spot at the top-12 table. The Vegas show is wonderful. Music is scored well, logical, it flows and has natural phrases and builds, and it speaks to the crowd. Love it!

Many Bravos also go out to the Blue Stars who have now mostly cleaned a show that looked so demanding and physical when I saw them live in Akron. They were just incredible last night! :thumbup: Those members should be so proud of their accomplishments. The drill they have to master is about as demanding as any in DCI today. It is wicked hard at times! IF they tweak anything it may be the brass book and some percussion writing, but just minor stuff. I think they now have the show to stay in the top 12.

The Blue Knights just completely through me for a loop, in a good way! I truly enjoy when a show can pull me out of my comfort zone without being stupid or too weird. Yes, there were some odd musical quotes in the show, but that aside I love the music, and the drill is flat out genius at times. At other times I think they could change a few things. Percussion is killer! I also love the guard unis and the choice of flags. That contrast is stunning and very effective.

Finally, it is nice to see Bones back. Honestly, I have enjoyed Crossmen for some years now. They have been good for a long time, but this is the first year is a while that we can all say they have a truly top-12 caliber show. Let's see what happens.

I think their is a difference between Crossmen and Blue Knights (in BK's favor), but the Crossmen do have a music book with serious GE. They need to get that to show up on the sheets. If anything, BK will beat them on demand and construction issues, but it could be close. The corps to watch out for in the 13-17 bracket is the Glassmen. I LOVE their music book, and the brass have a great sound and super balance at times. I think they are late in cleaning feet and also have a few GE issues to sort out, but if anyone passes Crossmen to take a crack at BK and Blue Stars, it will be Glassmen. In fact, I think Glassmen have selected one of the best music scores out there, and the arrangements really work. Thank you, G-Men!

I really enjoyed Academy and they could also knock on the door of the top 12 with the right tweaks, loved the Colts ending (need more of that in other parts of your show), and all I can say for Troopers is that the show lacks in GE music, GE visual, and overall the music construction is just not there. The last part is typically where it all starts. The construction of your music score is so important. It feels like they are playing a very chopped-up book and ramming chords down our throats without any development. A lot of drum corps are still doing this, so it's not just Troopers. But I always love the Troop and wish them well, but the show is just not happening this year.

[drumcorpfanct]

very nice review. I agree with all except devils. I have them 3rd. Yes there show is unique with incredible individual talent but the story is ruff and hard to get into. I find myself easily distracted and even looking away while they are on. how they are on top is dissapointing to me. phantom have a couple hits to add, 1 in the 3rd number for sure big let down there and the ending will get juiced im sure but the ending was too quick and left me screaming for more.

crown too me was the most complete and the brass is the best since star 1991, omg...i just wont be ok with devils and that show winning this year.

1. Great Show!! We all got treated to some excellent drum corps, and the crowd seemed to be having a great time. Just from the FN broadcast I could hear the roar of the crowd a lot, which means they liked many moments in a lot of shows.

2. The placements were about right, at least for now. The Cavaliers being in front of Madison was DCI's judges just getting it WRONG , but that will correct itself soon. The Cavaliers are cleaner with a horrible show that has almost no coherent musical phrases, too many choppy percussion breaks (good for the percussion, bad for musical development), and very little GE impact. Madison is dirty with a show that oozes musical development, impact, GE, and audience reaction. I think the Scouts will clean. I hope so.

3. What's to come: a lot of show changes for some, and cleaning for others. Let the games continue!

I really enjoyed the Blue Devils' show last night. Many may not care for it, but it's so unique and risky, yet also full of surprise, excitement, and color. The visual is well done, although I do worry that there is too much scatter drill. The guard is incredible!!! Listen to the music carefully. This is not a chopped-up musical book. This is a well-developed book that logically builds to peaks and valleys as well as any on the field. It doesn't do it in the same sense that Carolina Crown does, or The Cadets and Phantom, but it still achieves the effect, just differently.

As much as I think Phantom may challenge Cadets, Phantom is really clean with a great show, and the Cadets are really dirty (2nd half especially) with a great show. It will be close for a while, but my feeling is the Cadets pull away. I think the top 3 at Finals will be Crown, BD, Cadets. I think if Carolina Crown cleans their feet, THEY WIN! That brass book alone should just garner them the title. :worthy: Most demanding thing I've heard in years and years.

I can see SCV over-taking Phantom. I love both shows in a big way (and Bluecoats), but SCV has the edge in drill, GE, percussion. Phantom has the edge in brass and guard. Both shows have extreme high points. The Bluecoats could also make a run here, but their guard holds them back some while their brass and percussion are very strong. BLOOOO has a super show this year and I felt they had a bad marching night. Many forms just seemed off to me. They have much cleaning to do so look out for Bluecoats. They may need to re-write the ending I think. Their are a few dead spots, but nothing major.

If Phantom re-writes anything it will be very minor. SCV will probably not do any major re-writes. They just need to clean. In the end these 3 corps will be on the tails of each other. All great shows, all are solid in every caption. Who takes 4th? My gut reaction after last night is SCV.

By the way, if we think Boston isn't trying to jump in the category above, we are crazy. I absolutely love their show. Visually they have always been stout. Year after year you see great design from these guys, but the brass books of the last few years have been fantastic! They were 7th last night, but if there is a Dark-Horse for top 5/6, these are the guys. The ending struck me as safe, so I can see them making some changes there, but the rest of the show is just great writing, and the performers are nailing it.

Madison is also going to be heard from once they clean. They, too, could potentially break into that 5 slot, maybe 6, with the right changes and a seriously clean performance. They will be the crowd "killer" come DCI Finals, no doubt. The ending of their show is goosebump city! :worthy: :worthy: Nobody brings home the "bacon" like the Scouts, but lots of cleaning to do for the Boys.

I haven't seen Spirit this good in years and years, and they definitely deserve a spot at the top-12 table. The Vegas show is wonderful. Music is scored well, logical, it flows and has natural phrases and builds, and it speaks to the crowd. Love it!

Many Bravos also go out to the Blue Stars who have now mostly cleaned a show that looked so demanding and physical when I saw them live in Akron. They were just incredible last night! :thumbup: Those members should be so proud of their accomplishments. The drill they have to master is about as demanding as any in DCI today. It is wicked hard at times! IF they tweak anything it may be the brass book and some percussion writing, but just minor stuff. I think they now have the show to stay in the top 12.

The Blue Knights just completely through me for a loop, in a good way! I truly enjoy when a show can pull me out of my comfort zone without being stupid or too weird. Yes, there were some odd musical quotes in the show, but that aside I love the music, and the drill is flat out genius at times. At other times I think they could change a few things. Percussion is killer! I also love the guard unis and the choice of flags. That contrast is stunning and very effective.

Finally, it is nice to see Bones back. Honestly, I have enjoyed Crossmen for some years now. They have been good for a long time, but this is the first year is a while that we can all say they have a truly top-12 caliber show. Let's see what happens.

I think their is a difference between Crossmen and Blue Knights (in BK's favor), but the Crossmen do have a music book with serious GE. They need to get that to show up on the sheets. If anything, BK will beat them on demand and construction issues, but it could be close. The corps to watch out for in the 13-17 bracket is the Glassmen. I LOVE their music book, and the brass have a great sound and super balance at times. I think they are late in cleaning feet and also have a few GE issues to sort out, but if anyone passes Crossmen to take a crack at BK and Blue Stars, it will be Glassmen. In fact, I think Glassmen have selected one of the best music scores out there, and the arrangements really work. Thank you, G-Men!

I really enjoyed Academy and they could also knock on the door of the top 12 with the right tweaks, loved the Colts ending (need more of that in other parts of your show), and all I can say for Troopers is that the show lacks in GE music, GE visual, and overall the music construction is just not there. The last part is typically where it all starts. The construction of your music score is so important. It feels like they are playing a very chopped-up book and ramming chords down our throats without any development. A lot of drum corps are still doing this, so it's not just Troopers. But I always love the Troop and wish them well, but the show is just not happening this year.

[theCHEZman]

I think you nailed it. Blue Devils are performing at a very high level but Crown has the demand and in the end, I think Cown wins. I had Cadets and Phantom close but again, much higher demand especially timing issues with a extremely spread out drill for Cadets has then prevailing over Phantom in August and close to BD. I thought SCV was placed correctly but slightly underscored. I also would have had Madison over Cavies but close.

Long day for judges at first regional, think they got it right except Cadets and SCV underscored by about 0.5 points.

[Jeff Ream]

Facebook post of the night I saw:

"if I have to start taking drugs again to get drum corps shows, forget it!"

[Fan of the Arts]

I think you nailed it. Blue Devils are performing at a very high level but Crown has the demand and in the end, I think Cown wins. I had Cadets and Phantom close but again, much higher demand especially timing issues with a extremely spread out drill for Cadets has then prevailing over Phantom in August and close to BD. I thought SCV was placed correctly but slightly underscored. I also would have had Madison over Cavies but close.

Long day for judges at first regional, think they got it right except Cadets and SCV underscored by about 0.5 points.

I agree! I was disappointed to see how close PR was to Cadets and the point spread between Cadets and Crown. Looks like they got it right the next night in Rockford.

Irving

Fan of the Arts

[PeeWee]

Thank you for the review! Once the corps leave California (July 1st this year), online videos and your reviews are all we have to follow the corps for the rest of the season.