Vuitton Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 (edited) 1. Carolina Crown 2. Bluecoats 3. Cadets 4. Boston Crusaders 5. Phantom Regiment But, my single favorite thing of the season was the last minute or so of the Bllue Stars show. Edited August 19, 2023 by Vuitton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scheherazadesghost Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 Spirit - cried every time I saw them, I love a comeback with heart and a solid design to boot Mandarins - love an underdog that bites hard, what else can I say that hasn't been said? Cavaliers - only other show to make me cry, on finals no less, thanks to the Planets props I hadn't seen until then; go retro or go home, I say... this is exactly what I wanted from a retro-inspired show, placement and scores be ###### Bluecoats - BOMP IT BOMP IT! I can't get enough of Bloo getting weird and challenging standards for the activity, also their movement vocab is so much more interesting and refreshing than anything else out there; their approach to design makes the rest of the top 5 look uninspired and tired, IMHO Colts - this corps looked happy; no pasted on smiles or performance qualities, a joy to watch 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GREENBLUE Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 Cavaliers Bluecoats Colts Crown Troopers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjramsey Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 1. Troopers 2. Phantom 3. Bluecoats 4. Crossmen 5. Mandarins 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hill Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 Blue Devils Simply put, The Blue Devils are living history, of themselves and of the activity. With many of the creative staff in collaborative roles for more than 30 years, the organization knows how to mount successful seasons and winning shows. And now finally — and inexplicably, given that the Devils are the winningest corps in the history of the activity — a three-peat. “The Cut-Outs” was not a story show (plenty of those for one season), rather it showed through yet another amazing musical mix and visual panoply the deconstruction of Matisse’s artistic style over the course of his life. To say that Joni Mitchell’s iconic “Both Sides Now” has never been more relevant in pageantry is no overstatement. The song defined both the show and its representation of Matisse. And the color guard; the color guard that has also likely (someone fact check me, please) won more caption awards than any other, was in fine, and rare, form. In both embodying the Matisse cut-out figure while breaking up the Box 5 guard judging caption, the Devils prevailed over a field that was as fine as any in memory. The Cadets The soundtrack of the season just might need to go to The Cadets and its athletic and muscular “Atlas Rising.” Listen to it again — and again. Phantom Regiment Like a Franco Zeffirelli opera, Phantom Regiment’s spectacular nature-themed production begged audiences to sit back and simply take it all in. As for the addition of non-symphonic works: more please! Mandarins Sizzling across the red-hot country with its white-hot “Sinnerman,” Mandarins were as close to a social media phenomenon as happens in pageantry. Vaulting four spots was testament to theme and execution melding perfectly. The Cavaliers and Spirit of Atlanta After 75 years, “Where You’ll Find” the storied Cavaliers is powered by its magnificent “Green Machine” percussion; this year’s caption winner, and the first in ages that came from outside the top four units. Who knew we needed to see a percussion line straddle the -50- and lay down a classic "drum break"? I had given up on my native Southern corps; organizational "stuff" the likes of what had to be wrestled is tough to maneuver, even tougher to weather. And on that front, the jury is still out; time will tell. But as for taking a year off and then coming back; WHOA! What a resurgence. There looked to be pure joy on the field all season long! _____________________________ Writer’s prerogative. I hate that young and first-time viewers don’t have my old eyes (coming on 70) and my half century-plus history with drum corps with which to take in this year’s offerings. The contexts I discerned, from top to bottom, made viewings throughout the season even larger, the details popping out more completely, references clearly understood. Lucky fan I am. 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2muchcoffeeman Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 (edited) No order, just my faves of the season: Bluecoats -- silky power, a strong audience connection even through the TV screen, and groove for days Crown -- Reliably majestic. Visually crisp. Mike Jackson. Melt me. Troopers -- Masterpiece opener, and the most mature, self-assured musical sound to come out of Casper in, maybe, ever. Pacific Crest -- Lovely, thoughtful presentation. Tasteful design. Excellent performers who bought in. Mandarins -- Pure gas. Simultaneously whimsical and muscular, a potent mix. Edited August 19, 2023 by 2muchcoffeeman 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skevinp Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 My personal top 5 this year were… the top 5. Don’t ask me to order them, though. That changes every day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRapp Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 1. Mandarins 2. Bloo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fighterkit Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 1. BAC 2. Troop 3. Mandarins 4. Madison 5. Cadets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcsnare93 Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 No particular order: BD Mandarins Phantom Regiment Crown Troopers/Colts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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