I think the full caster status is part, very indirectly, of why I'm less into the 5e Bard than the 4e and earlier Bards. Full caster means less room for unique capabilities. Can't have full songs, plus crazy Lore, plus social status mechanics (every culture respects a Bard!), etc when you also have full casting.
But, with spells like unearthly chorus, perhaps we can get some of that back within the spell list.
Also, IMO, Bards are full casters BC half casters don't get cantrips, and they wanted Bards to get cantrips without challenging their general third/half/full caster paradigm.