Thanks to Greg J. Hipius on RAMD for this review! 8. Spectrum (46.1) For a division III corps, a very good effort. Of particular note was a high quality pit that showed vibrance and energy, yet the control necessary not to throw off the balance in a small corps. Also of note were the two contras, VERY talented players that really managed to hold their own and shine. I thought that the score might have been just a touch under what they deserved, probably due to the rest of the field tonight. 7. Boston Crusaders (75.5) Hmmm... for a corps that I haven't cared much for for years, I was rather surprised. They have come leaps andbounds from where they were when I saw them at the beginning of the season in Hershy, PA. Yet, the group still suffers from the key flaws I noticed then; it seems like they cleaned up AROUND the major problems, but left the big problems. This group is bottom heavy... a strong low brass is a virtue for them, but it sometimes also becomes a vice as they overdo it, "frapping" some notes, and drowning out most of the upper brass. Let's face it... Metheny jazz just can't cook when your screamers are weak. And BAC would have faired better choosing a program of jazz that had not already been used spectacularly by some higher up corps. Overall, I'm both glad to see that BAC is improving, but disappointed to see that it's still happening at a snail's pace. 6. Velvet Knights (80.2) *sniffle* *sniffle* I miss the good old VK! You know, the one that accepted that they'd be in the middle somewheres, and made the best of it by being the DCI globetrotters. This year's show is an obvious attempt to claim top 12 competitiveness, but it's not a successful one. Low points: VERY sloppy brass section that overplays so hard, you can see their lips flapping out their bells, and some frightening levels of phazing between the right and left sides of the field. High points: AWESOME drumline, one that with a slightly better supporting hornline could have had a shot at the caption at finals. Very impressive drill, still needs a littel touch up, but not out of reach before prelims on Thursday. Also the book is surprisingly entertaining, despite the disappointing lack of VKishness in their delivery. PLEASE PLEASE come back to normal next year, VK! You don't need to make top 12; we love you just the way you are. 5. Carolina Crown (83.2) An excellent chance at making the top 12 for the Crown. What a show!!! An excellent all around corps performs a beautifully constucted, VERY intriguing show... Very little here I did not like. The large silver lighning bolts were a little anticlimactic, though, as little at all was done with them, and none of it impressive as the rest of the show. Some really clever drill and music made for an especially memorable drum feature. Welcome to contention for finals, Crown, and I hope the combination of innovation and ENTERTAINMENT that you have displayed rubs off on the rest of us. 4. Blue Knights (82.0) Zzzzzz..... Very dull show. They do a great job of performing the mst mediocre music and drill I can remember in a long time. The use of big white spots on the field was confusing at best. Believe me, the points this corps is getting are merit points for the outstanding job these kids are doing in performing, NOT from GE, which is virtually nonexistant in this show. The score placing them within a tenthof a point from Crossmen was, IMHO, a VERY big gift, perhaps in hopes of keeping them in the hunt for suspense's sake with DCIs coming up. This group will make finals. But my wholehearted suggestion: take this opportunity to go get yourself a hot dog. 3. Crossmen (86.3) By far, this corps and show has matured more since the beginning of the season than any other corps and show I have seen. No holes are apparent any more, and this show runs seamlessly, as if there never were any problems to begin with. The Bones percussion shined as always,particularly during the closer. Keep your eyes peeled when watching the Crossmen this year, as they have some very strong visual elements to offer. But whatever you do, don't try to count the percussionists on each instrument; the breakdown changes faster that you can count!!! Overall, an excellent show. Very difficult, but they've managed to grow into the challenge over the course of the season. 2. Madison Scouts (94.4) The official explaination that has been being fed for why they are still not beating Cadets, BD, etc. is that the show isn't. This is the only time I have seen them this year, but I DO NOT buy it. This show was absolutely sqeakey clean. This show is BETTER than their title taking group of '88. I think that the real reason that they aren't winning is just simply that Cadets are a touch ahead, all around. .9 is not that much, and is an imperceptible difference in quality to the human eye, and Madison vs. CBC proved it. Madison's horn line this year is PHENOMINAL. As always, their drill is a force to be reckoned with. Suprisingly, this year, so is their guard. The matador theme is an excellent vehicle for Scouts, and it WILL take them to the top four someplace this year, have no doubt. 1. Cadets of Bergen County (95.3) CBC has the best total package I have seen in a long time, and by far the best I have ever personally witnessed from them. From beginning to end, Cadets show radiates the energy and emotion, as well as the storylines, of a broadway musical. I know you've all heard it a thousand times, but Swing Swing Swing is a riot. I do not care how long they stood still... I loved it. The new ending (and yes, they nixed their POC ending with the division of male and female hornplayers) was powerful and coherent now, and this show is ready for the finals. How wonderful, in a time of corps struggling to survive and make ends meet, to see proof that corps is alive and well! -Greg J. Hipius-
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