I'm Just Mad about Madison!

Yay! for the DCI Fan Network and Yay! for the Madison show last night!

The show started at 4:30, but I did not really watch much until the World Class corps started. I chose not to connect my laptop to the big screen, but to watch the feed while reading the ongoing commentary going on at Drum Corps Planet. It is so much fun to see everyone argue about who is better, the ever popular hating of narration and amplification, and armchair judging. I ate it up!! I even posted my occasional remarks, which normally, I would never do. I am a silent stalker, but could not help but join in the posting frenzy. Being a high camera view, it was hard to see costuming, which is always my favorite part. I will have to wait to see the shows live or stalk Jolesch once there are pics posted. I am all about the spandex and stretch velvet!!

My opinions, for what its worth:

Troopers: Way to hang in there! They sounded wonderful. You have to love their uniforms and they reek of American tradition. They are in dire need of guard members. Wanna march? Call them and jump on the bus! Holla to Hannah!

Madison Scouts: Not sure about their new uniforms yet, but I am a big fan. They have a percussion feature that has the boys jazz running all over the field. Yum! They played the encore and there was a wretched squealing note at the end that caused the forums to go wild, hurling insults. Easy folks.

Blue Stars: I really enjoyed their show. I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike. Cute concept, musically executed well. Visual candy. Holla! to Greggers!

Spirit: I spent the entire time looking for Jose. I was so preoccupied, that I cannot remember anything about their show. Is he there? I hope so.

Blue Knights: I love BK and their original, lyrical approach to drum corps. They move beautifully and their guard, lovely. Some call it weird and unconventional, I call it innovative and progressive. Amazing Grace, indeed.

Glassmen: Balloons and Pee Wee!! Breakfast Machine and Danny Elfman, Ahhhhhh! Fun show! I was entertained. Wish I could see what the guard was wearing.

Boston: Heard alot about this show and was looking forward to seeing it. They were really moving around the field. Some really great drill moments. At one point, they played music from The Piano...my fav. From what I read on DCP, they were the victims of a visual scoring conspiracy, for which, the judge's termination was demanded. You know what they say about opinions....nuff said.

Carolina Crown: OMG. Loved this show. It is just like the Winterguard show from a couple of years ago with the same title. Fin. Lots of closers thrown into one show. Beautiful music, FABULOUS guard. Very LOUD. Shave and a haircut, two bits. TADA! When their score was announced, there was boooing....no bloooing. Shameful.

Bluecoats: Loved it. Cried. Watched for Sara and Jana most of the time, helping them catch their equipment. HUGE tosses. The ballad and pre-show are my favorites. FANTASTIC SOUND. The brass and percussion are AMAZING. And there is gorgeous singing, to boot, although the crowd was screaming so loud, I could barely hear it. Incredible guard work. You go girls. Gotta love anything with the Rocky theme. Flashbacks to the Final Four. EYE OF THE TIGER!! Go Blooooo! Can't wait to see them LIVE and in person. Congrats on a great show last night, regardless of the crowd reaction. The Coats show is taking it "on the chin" by alot of critics. Blooo, keep your gloves up, keep training, and you are going to be a contender!!

Cadets: Wow. DCP was rabid with hatred. In my opinion, they have a great show with gorgeous sound, clean and fast moving drill. Great guard. Holla! to Chris Watson! But.....and I have a big butt....too much talking. I don't mind narration. I don't mind amplification. I am not an old school, back in the day, kind of person. The drum corps traditionalists were VERY vocal about how much they hated this show based solely on the constant mic'd narration. I was more offended by the overall content of the script than anything. I don't like it when shows are based upon tragedy. I think it is too easy to go for the sympathy score. And cancer is never something to use as a joke, as some of the DCP posters found it necessary to do. George Hopkins' is in danger of spontaneously bursting into flames after the trash talk that went on last night. Incredible show, sans speech.

Cavies: Michael Gaines...genius. Guard...superb. When I heard about their theme, I pictured the little skinny samurai flags that they wear on their backs into battle. They had those and were spinning them!!! Perfection! Marching style...undeniably clean. They had horns jumping over horns!! HI-YAH! Music was good with some interesting instruments used to convey the asian sound. Drill - as always, very clever, a thrill to behold. Why doesn't every corps copy the Cavies/Gaines drill style? It is a sure recipe for a championship. Again, I am shrugging.

All in all, a wonderful night of drum corps. I shall watch the shows again on the Fan Network, which rocks, by the way. Thank you DCI!