I'll give it a try...

That's the problem, isn't it?  Many people who have long been involved
in the activity seem to feel it wasn't the greatest show of all time or
a tie with that.  In '02 I was at Madison and it seemed as though
nobody doubted too strenuously that the Cavaliers were doing something
pretty incredible.  It was an achievement and many saw it that way.
One thing seems for sure, most everybody felt that the Cavaliers won
the show in '02, even if they wern't "the best drum corps ever" (in my
opinion they made the short list of the all-time greats).

This year that's a tougher equation.  The Cadets were very good, but to
many not the winner and certainly not the greatest of all time or
within that realm.  I thought they were an excellent corps, but not the
winner.  Great membership and a fantastic staff with a show concept
that left people cold or, worse, alienated.

Surprisingly less than I'm used to from Cadets.  There were some
extremely uptempo things, but there was salso ome parking and barking
(a thing that we never saw in DCI for years - now, apparently, it's
okay again).  There was one move during their ballad which was a
killer.  The battery moved backfield stage right while the hornline's
movement brought them forward stage left.  This was done during a
crescendo that went on for some time.  It was an example of great
competence and I think many thought it was "the moment" of the show.

We all pick our spots and, not being a drummer, I defer to those in
that area to provide a better answer.

I did not notice a lot of "strange devices" being used, but thought the
guard was extremely good and that the equipment work was complex and
executed very, very well.

Not an enormous amount, although the drums have a moment where they
sang their parts (amplifies) instead of playing it.  I find this an
"effect" and liken it to horn players using electronic effects on their
horns etc.  I suppose it's hip...  but it really proves nothing.

The hornline was one of three I was impressed with.  Cadets, Phantom
and BD (unfortunately BD's best moments were in the parking lot and not
on the field).  It's a Gino Cipriani line and it has all the signatures
of such.  Power, excellent technique and an almost seething sense of
drive that reflects accurately on the guy doing the instructing.  I had
them or Phantom winning brass - I think I lean Phantom.

Cadets were a very good corps in a season that I thought delivered
three elite groups, three in the neighborhood and then also rans.  I
think that somewhere along the Cadets became the "fashionable" corps
that the cognoscenti seemd to gush over - when that happens it can be
unstoppable.  I thought Cadets were tight at the Finals performance and
feeling the heat.  It didn't matter, this thing had been over and
decided for a few weeks.  One man's opinion, kids.

--
Dave