DeepSouthDCI Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 (edited) It's frustrating to see most of the conversation about SOA on DCP revolve around who folks think is going to pass them. From what I've seen, and I haven't seen that much (will see them in San Antonio this weekend) Clear and accessible show concept that most audiences consider fun (not counting the DCP dinks that have to say "I think this is the third year in a row they've done this show... hurr durr de hurr") Great sounding horn line that's playing music that's syleistically interesting Improved visual program year over year. Visual has been SOA's Achilles heel for some time now, in my opinion Guard and percussion are harder for me to talk about. I'm a brass guy. I also think that some fans on here use the phrase "not enough demand" as a substitute for "I don't think their show is cerebral enough" or think the two can't co-exist. They see the Blue Devils on their post-modern kick and think "Now, THAT'S high demand", and yes, it is, but there's not causality there. There's no shame in having a fun show. I'm glad SOA has a fun show. I hope they continue to have fun shows. I try not to be a homer, but sometimes you've got to say something nice about your team. Get some, Spirit of Atlanta. Throw down and kick a**. Edited July 19, 2013 by DeepSouthDCI 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobjective Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 It's frustrating to see most of the conversation about SOA on DCP revolve around who folks think is going to pass them. From what I've seen, and I haven't seen that much (will see them in San Antonio this weekend) Clear and accessible show concept that most audiences consider fun (not counting the DCP dinks that have to say "I think this is the third year in a row they've done this show... hurr durr de hurr") Great sounding horn line that's playing music that's syleistically interesting Improved visual program year over year. Visual has been SOA's Achilles heel for some time now, in my opinion Guard and percussion are harder for me to talk about. I'm a brass guy. I also think that some fans on here use the phrase "not enough demand" as a substitute for "I don't think their show is cerebral enough" or think the two can't co-exist. They see the Blue Devils on their post-modern kick and think "Now, THAT'S high demand", and yes, it is, but there's not causality there. There's no shame in having a fun show. I'm glad SOA has a fun show. I hope they continue to have fun shows. I try not to be a homer, but sometimes you've got to say something nice about your team. Get some, Spirit of Atlanta. Throw down and kick a**. I appreciate what you said about SOA having an entertaining show. But, I am just curios at your thoughts as to why SOA just can't seem to jump up into the next grouping of corps and compete with such corps as Cavies, Bluecoats, Scouts and Phantom, if they have the demand? This is not an attack, it's an honest question to your thoughts on the issue. Do you think it's possibly political or is it that SOA is just not clean enough or what? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadwick Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 I am biased as I am a big SOA fan but I am surprised that they are hanging so close to the 12th - 15th pack and not closer to the BK-Cavies-Boston pack. From what I have seen they should be more in line with that group. I think one thing they do have going for them this year that they didn't the past couple years is more to clean. They peaked the last couple years down the stretch and I think it was because the design was a touch on the weak side. This year I think they have really stepped up the visual demands and thus have more cleaning to do. I will be super disappointed if they do not make Finals but I am still hoping they might have a late season surge and put more pressure on the group ahead of them. Three points back isn't too much with three weeks to go. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepSouthDCI Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 I appreciate what you said about SOA having an entertaining show. But, I am just curios at your thoughts as to why SOA just can't seem to jump up into the next grouping of corps and compete with such corps as Cavies, Bluecoats, Scouts and Phantom, if they have the demand? This is not an attack, it's an honest question to your thoughts on the issue. Do you think it's possibly political or is it that SOA is just not clean enough or what? I really don't know. Maybe I'll have more of an opinion after San Antonio. The recaps from Denton say that the judges disagree with me, especially in the area of visual demand/content. What can I say, homers gonna home. Do I think it's political? Not really. Do I think the way that DCI is judged results in things like saving scores and slotting? You bet, but that's the ballgame, you've got to punch above your weight class before you get the credit for it (holy mixed sports metaphors , Batman). But there's no judge sitting in the press box twirling his mustache just waiting to stick it to Spirit of Atlanta lest they sully the good name of the Cavaliers. Better execution of what they've got can't hurt. Get some Spirit of Atlanta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKT90 Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 I really don't know. Maybe I'll have more of an opinion after San Antonio. The recaps from Denton say that the judges disagree with me, especially in the area of visual demand/content. What can I say, homers gonna home. Do I think it's political? Not really. Do I think the way that DCI is judged results in things like saving scores and slotting? You bet, but that's the ballgame, you've got to punch above your weight class before you get the credit for it (holy mixed sports metaphors , Batman). But there's no judge sitting in the press box twirling his mustache just waiting to stick it to Spirit of Atlanta lest they sully the good name of the Cavaliers. Better execution of what they've got can't hurt. Get some Spirit of Atlanta. I tend to agree with you on this. They are better for sure this over last year, but imo to jump up into the next grouping you really need to be 3 spots better to move up 1. Realistically, I think SOA needs to have a top 6 show to move up into the next grouping. If they were a 6th place show, they could be sitting in 9th. That's just my read on it...you have to better than where you place. I think SOA this year is better than Boston or BK and should be on Cavies heels, but that's just me. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepSouthDCI Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 I think SOA needs to have a top 6 show to move up into the next grouping. If they were a 6th place show, they could be sitting in 9th I don't know if I'd go quite that far, but basically, the merits of the program and the performance must be undeniable. Also, it's a factor of needing to get better year over year faster than the other guy does. I aged out in 2006, and the corps I saw last year was an order of magnitude better than us, but they came in 11th and we came in 12th (and scored .4 up on the 2012 corps at finals). I'm not sure what it takes for SOA to have a break out year. Probably something I can't put my finger on plus money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobjective Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Money may be a factor. I honestly don't know what it will take to push SOA into the next grouping of corps either. But, I tend to believe if they keep knocking at the door a d getting better every year in each caption eventually they will get that break through. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepSouthDCI Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 (edited) Maybe it's our crappy facilities down in the deep South. Maybe they should consider re-locating the corps to Arkansas or Texas. Edit: Excellent. Someone downvoted me for this. If it's not obvious, this is a joke. Edited July 20, 2013 by DeepSouthDCI 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derbydawg Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 Excited to see them today, as well as everyone else. Glad the show is inside. It is hot in Texas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepSouthDCI Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 I'm not great at reviews, but I'll post my brief thoughts from the San Antonio regional. The show has a ton of great "little moments" Hornline sounded good, and was well balanced but nothing that really pinned me to the back of my seat. I was in the 6th row of the 3rd deck. Right side of the field, just above the 15. So, not the best place in the world to judge hornline sound or ensemble sound. Lots of echo in the Alamodome, especially in my seat. The closest they came to blowing me back was the Sweet Georgia Brown hits in the closer, but they were too short and fast to really pin me back. On the flip side, I didn't hear anything that I considered raw ( I mean bad raw) or unbalanced for the entire performance, and I can't say the same for BK. Intro, corps coming onto the field needs work. There's a guard member "playing" the piano (Sweet Georgia Brown) and the hornline and battery are acting like they're coming out of a party, or participating in a party, generally acting kind of drunk, and then hushing up when there's a knock on the "speakeasy" door. I'm sure the kids have been told to "sell it to the box" but it looks really forced and weird. Made me uncomfortable, and anxious for the real show to start. Getting the intro/rolling start to feel like the real show is a challenge. From my high angle, I could see a good bit of visual dirt. Stuff like forms not "clicking" before moving to the next and really noticeable stuff like gentle arches not hitting when everyone comes to a halt. Better believe that's hurting right now. On the bright side, still plenty to clean! Way to go lead sops. The screamers are noticed, appreciated, and darn well done. All in all, a very enjoyable show, but they didn't make me want to jump up on my feet at the end. I feel they're being placed about where they should be for now. I think it needs something besides cleaning to close the gap between them and BK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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