Focus02 Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 I know this is an every year topic but its too bad MBI doesn't get a last weekend bump before going out East. They are a force this year and doing some amazing body work. Looking forward to seeing them as always. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brichtimp Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 (edited) Thoughts on the show in Reading: The first few corps played in a pretty steady rain, but despite that...they played well. If you're going to have a show in the raid, have it at a facility like Exeter High School. It's a fantastic field that drains easy. Carolina Gold. Strength of the corps is far and away the color guard. The fact that they performed through the rain as well as they did was remarkable. Show theme is communicated well, but there were some definite rough spots in the brass and percussion. Based on what I saw and heard tonight, I'm not quite sure they are a lock to make finals. White Sabers. I'm sick and tired of band and corps shows using Arabia or Scheherazade as a theme. But good lord, if you're going to do it...do it like this White Sabers corps. This may be a more cohesive program than they had last year, and the mas-up ballad of Scheherazade and Knights in White Satin is masterful. Much like last year's mash-up of the Largo with Dancer in the dark, if this is White Saber's new "schtick", I'm all in. This is absolutely a Class A contender, if not the front runner. Anyone wishing to challenge the White Sabers better have their ducks in a row. Fusion Core. This is a really fun show with a really nice variety of music. The standout section is the guard, but they really aren't weak anywhere. Brass and drums had some dirty spots tonight, but the performance level of the members is really high, and they have a ton of energy. I'm still not a fan of the bed, or rather how it moves. When it's still, they use it well, but moving it is a real eyesore. That said, they are remarkably clean visually...maybe the cleanest corps on the field. If they do anything this week, they should clean the many brass section features. everything else is Championships-ready. Title contender? No. But a shot at third? Absolutely. Cadets 2: I love this show. To be honest, I think it's the better of the two Cadets' programs this year. It's way more entertaining and more "Cadets-y". The color guard as improved immensely, and is no longer holding the corps back. Sadly, clean visual and a weak-at-times brass line is. Percussion was particularly strong. Execution issues aside (and that horse has been beaten elsewhere), it's really a cool, fun program. Buccaneers: Any questions I had about Reading's program were answered tonight. I haven't seen them since Wayne, and it's a completely different drum corps. The groove sections that were square as a country dance in July were really smooth and cool tonight. The messy intro is now really solid, and the Metheny chart is really sweet. The "Break on Through" jam might sound a bit West Chester University, but the crowd loves it, and it's the first time they really cut loose. I stopped counting the number of changes they've clearly made, but they all work. The percussion, brass/percussion movement package, and weapon line are strengths. Brass has improved a lot, but still has issues at times. A contender next week? Absolutely yes. Caballeros: Probably the most entertaining corps on the field, they are strong across the board. Brass is the obvious standout, but the rest of the corps is no slouch either, and the percussion has really improved a lot since June. Cabs have no weak links at all. The theme is easy to understand and plays out well, particularly now that it's set up so well in the pre-show. I'm not sure this was their best run in terms of energy (it's Bucs home show with the crowd reaction that comes with it for the enemy), but they are on the right track to do some real damage next week. When Bucs finished their performance, I figured it was probably going to be a coin toss, if not Cabs by a few tenths. They really are that close, it's not a scheme by DCA to sell tickets (this year, anyway). I left before scores were announced, and the recap isn't up yet, so I'll give my guesses on how I think things may break down caption wise: Brass: Caballeros Percussion: Buccaneers Guard: Fusion Core Visual: Caballeros, but not by a lot Music Effect: Cabs, by several tenths Visual Effect: Coin toss, maybe Cabs by a nose This may be the most top-to-bottom entertaining year in DCA in a while (much like it was in DCI). If you're not going to Rochester, buy the live streams...you won't regret it. I respect your opinions for sure, but with respect to the comment about the C2 show vis-a-vis the Cadets show, I'm going to disagree with you. The Bocook and McNutt arrangements coupled with the sheer physical demand of this year's Cadets show totally overcame the 'cheese' factor that some viewers brought up, IMHO. Despite my admitted personal bias (son on the Cadets snare line), I don't think an objective viewer could resist dropping their jaw at the excellence of that performance...all 3 nights. I hope C2 can maximize their really cool show in Rochester. Edited August 24, 2014 by brichtimp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamarag Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 I respect your opinions for sure, but with respect to the comment about the C2 show vis-a-vis the Cadets show, I'm going to disagree with you. The Bocook and McNutt arrangements coupled with the sheer physical demand of this year's Cadets show totally overcame the 'cheese' factor that some viewers brought up, IMHO. Despite my admitted personal bias (son on the Cadets snare line), I don't think an objective viewer could resist dropping their jaw at the excellence of that performance...all 3 nights. I hope C2 can maximize their really cool show in Rochester. Well, read again what I said. C2's show is more fun, and more enjoyable from an entertainment perspective. Of course the main corps has more challenging stuff, and actually executes it. But it was cheesy, and it wasn't entertaining other than in an "boy I appreciate how hard it is" way. And at some point we have to stop equating "hard" with "good". They are two totally different and independent concepts. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 I respect your opinions for sure, but with respect to the comment about the C2 show vis-a-vis the Cadets show, I'm going to disagree with you. The Bocook and McNutt arrangements coupled with the sheer physical demand of this year's Cadets show totally overcame the 'cheese' factor that some viewers brought up, IMHO. Despite my admitted personal bias (son on the Cadets snare line), I don't think an objective viewer could resist dropping their jaw at the excellence of that performance...all 3 nights. I hope C2 can maximize their really cool show in Rochester. I'll agree with John. Brass and filthy feet issues aside I'll watch C2 any day 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brichtimp Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Well, read again what I said. C2's show is more fun, and more enjoyable from an entertainment perspective. Of course the main corps has more challenging stuff, and actually executes it. But it was cheesy, and it wasn't entertaining other than in an "boy I appreciate how hard it is" way. And at some point we have to stop equating "hard" with "good". They are two totally different and independent concepts. Then, we will agree to disagree. Hard and good were not mutually exclusive with the Cadets show. IMHO, it was more cohesive than what was around them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brichtimp Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 I'll agree with John. Brass and filthy feet issues aside I'll watch C2 any day I cannot put those issues 'aside.' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamarag Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 I cannot put those issues 'aside.' ...and I completely understand that. Heck, if they were executing that show, they'd be winning or very close to it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brichtimp Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 ...and I completely understand that. Heck, if they were executing that show, they'd be winning or very close to it. Absolutely....I think DCA corps should be able to execute visually at a decent level of precision. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamarag Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Absolutely....I think DCA corps should be able to execute visually at a decent level of precision. Most achieve at least a decent level, and a select few really achieve what they are attempting. Sadly, the whole "it's hard so it must be good" fallacy is still prevalent in the circuit among members, staff, and fans, as well as a few judges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUARDLING Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Most achieve at least a decent level, and a select few really achieve what they are attempting. Sadly, the whole "it's hard so it must be good" fallacy is still prevalent in the circuit among members, staff, and fans, as well as a few judges. Harder was never better, especially if you really never achieve it. NO CREDIT FOR ATTEMPT..lol youre right though. MANY think harder is better. Far from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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