26.5.2012
ESC 2012, Finale
So tonight it's time for the finale, the most exciting and nerve- racking part of the whole competition. By this time you have picked some favorites (or even that one specific favorite) and keep hoping also other people in Europe agree with you about what's hot and what's not this year. You might also be betting with your friends on which are the winners this year, even tough it's incredibly hard to predict when you have over 40 countries with a very diverse cultures voting. But for me that's part of the fun: you can't take it too seriously when you just can't know how it'll turn out in the end.
As for tonight, it's as hard as ever to guess who'll be the big winner. There is no Ryback or Lordi this year. What I'll do here is comment on the six songs that have gotten straight to the finale (the big five and Azerbaijan) and after that I'll make some guestimations on how it'll turn out tonight. But first the 6 songs we have yet to hear live.
1. United Kingdom - Engelbert Humperdinck : Love Will Set You Free
I have to admit I had no idea who Humperdinck was before I heard this song. But then again I have never heard of most of the performers in ESC. Love Will Set You Free is such a classical ballad and a very good one. When Humberdinck is singing you do believe every word he says. It's just beautiful and definitely one of the best ballads in this years competition.
9. France - Anggun : Echo (You And I)
This is such a weird song, but in a good way. You really have to concentrate to it. But to me it's a sweet treat. I love Anggun's voice and this is such a interesting song that it has been one of my personal favorites for a while. But to be frank, I don't think this will make super well tonight, it won't be a winner song. Or at least that's my guess.
10. Italy - Nina Zilli : L'Amore È Femmina (Out Of Love)
Amy Winehouse. That was pretty much the first thought I had in my head when I saw Nina Zilli and heard this song. Because, if you can't hear and see the similarities with these two singers and their music, I don't know what you've been listening to. But to me this is better than Amy's music. And again this is one of my favorites this year. I'm only sorry that Nina isn't singing her song in Italian, because it's even better then. (If you haven't heard the Italian version you can listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7B2Z0E35mw )
13. Azerbaijan - Sabina Babayeva : When The Music Dies
You know, I would have been much happier for Azerbaijan's victory last year if this had been the victorious song. I mean, this is in no means my favorite song this year, but it's still light year better than the song that won last year. I don't think this is a winning song this year when there is so many nice ballads competing, but I wouldn't be surprised if it made rather well tonight anyway.
19. Spain - Pastora Soler : Quédate Conmigo (Stay With Me)
Again a proper ballad. I think this is the best song Spain has sent to the competition in years. I mean, it's not one of my personal favorites, but I definitely wouldn't mind if Spain did well this year.
20. Germany - Roman Lob : Standing Still
He's such an eye candy. (Can I say that?) I mean, I really don't mind looking this video again and again and again. And what's even better, the song is a nice one too, something I don't mind hearing again and again. I can't quite justify putting Roman on the top of my list just because he's so cute but as the song is also nice to listen to it's definitely on the favorites side of the table.
All in all I think the big 5 have really stepped up their game this year. There isn't one bad song here, as also Azerbaijan has a good song this year. I'm pretty sure all of them will make it to the top half in the scores, or at least they would deserve it.
As for who'll make it to the top tonight, it's really hard to say. There are few safe bets for the top 10, such as Russia and Sweden. These two have been on the top for a long time so no-one should be surprised if one of them will be the winner but I don't think that someone couldn't come from the behind and grab the prize from under their noses. For example also Serbia and Italy have pretty good odds on the betting sites. After these four there does seem to be a bigger gab in the odds before the next countries.
All the above mentioned four would also be in my top 10. Other than that my picks at this point are Ireland, United Kingdom, Estonia, Romania, Cyprus and Germany. And let me note that this isn't the same as my favorites. These are my estimations of what could actually do well. But I'll definitely re-evaluate my top 10 after we've heard them live.
In any case we'll have an exciting night ahead of us!
PS. About the second semifinale: As I predicted, it' was really hard to guess who would get through to the finale. I got 7/10 right, the same number as in the first semi. The ones I got right were Serbia, Macedonia, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Turkey and Ukraine. I'm very pleased that Georgia didn't make it, little bit sad that Portugal didn't and horrified that Lithuania actually got through. Honest to God, how did anyone like that?
24.5.2012
ESC 2012, Second semifinale
Again in English as I'm again doing this last minute.
About the previous semifinale: I made my gestimation of who will go through to the finale after all the performances and got 7/10 (Russia, Ireland, Iceland, Greece, Romania, Moldova and Hungary) right. I think that's an ok result. I was sorry to see that Israel didn't make it there, but in the other hand happy that Hungary got through despite many saying it wouldn't. And THAN GOD Latvia has such a boring performance that they didn't get enough votes.
If we talk about the show in general, I felt it was set back several years (even something like a decade) due to the not so good camera work, hosts that tasted like cardboard and super huge and boring stage where the performers were mostly just lost. The show has looked so great during the last 5-7 years that the contrast was quite big.
And then to the songs we'll hear tonight!
1. Serbia - Željko Joksimović : Nije ljubav stvar
Željko is an old favorite and the ballad is a nice one with that special Balkan flavor. I'm pretty sure it'll get to the finale and rightfully so.
2. F.Y.R. Macedonia - Kaliopi : Crno i belo
I'm not a big fan of the fact that this song turns into a rock song in the middle. I like the melody and her unique voice, but I'd enjoyed it better if it had followed more the style it had in the first verse. And the screaming - I'm not a fan of that.
3. Netherlands - Joan Franka : You And Me
I like the song but I bloody hate her Indian outfit. Too bad it seems she'll have that headpiece also on the stage in Baku. When you don't see that I really enjoy the song.
4. Malta - Kurt Calleja : This Is the Night
Kurt seems really sweet on the video, but the song is just very boring pop song that really doesn't stand out from the mass.
5. Belarus - Litesound : We Are the Heroes
Belarus has one of the wost songs this year. The guys can't even really sing can they? I don't really care to hear this song ever again and don't really think it'll make it to the finale.
6. Portugal - Filipa Sousa : Vida minha
The fado flavor in this song is very nice and I think it's always nice when a country picks a song in their own language and with some national character. For that I hope we'll see Filipa also in the finale even tough she's not one of my own favorites.
7. Ukraine - Gaitana : Be My Guest
This is the mother of all football songs and she has all the moves of a diva. I mean, can't you just see this playing on one of those "best goals" things and performed on a football arena? And I do think this is a good song in that "genre". We'll see how it'll do tonight but if they pull of a great show I'll be happy to welcome her to the finale.
8. Bulgaria - Sofi Marinova : Love Unlimited
I can't really wrap my head around this song. It's not really catchy and I apparently can't quite decide what type of music it is either. She has a nice smile tough.
9. Slovenia - Eva Boto : Verjamem
The singers with the ridiculously huge shower caps. That and the fact that this was some kind of a ballad were literally the only two things I as able to remember from this song before re-listening it just now. So no, I don't think it'll make it even tough it's not a bad ballad.
10. Croatia - Nina Badrić : Nebo
Lovely strong ballad that has an unfortunate spot just after another ballad and just before Sweden. Nina is much better than Eva from Slovenia tough. Let's hope she'll go through to the finale.
11. Sweden - Loreen : Euphoria
I don't know if it's because I've heard Euphoria so many times, but I love this song. It's so strong and beautiful. And Loreen has a great voice and I really hope they don't mess her performance with that shady camera work... And I'm curious to see what the performance will be like as there's definitely going to be no such snowflakes and probably some screen action going on. Euphoria is a definite favorite for me personally and in general in the competition.
12. Georgia - Anri Jokhadze : I'm a Joker
He is so slimy, the is no way round it. The song isn't even quite so bad that I'd wish it to be (in a party it would definitely make me dance), but he makes at least the whole video just unbearable.
13. Turkey - Can Bonomo : Love Me Back
This just makes me happy, especially the traditional Turkish instruments and his smile. It's no winner song but as always Turkey won't miss the finale due to the migration, but that's ok.
14. Estonia - Ott Lepland : Kuula
Estonian is such a beautiful language when it's sung. And it's no exception in this song. Other than that Kuula is a beautiful ballad that gives me goosebumps and a perfect show case of how you can understand the emotions even tough you don't know a word of the language sung if it's the mother tongue of the singer. Ott would deserve his spot in the finale. (By the way, he has a perfect spot just after the energetic song from Turkey and the heavy song Slovakia.)
15. Slovakia - Max Jason Mai : Don't Close Your Eyes
If you know anything of my taste in music you'll know I'm no heavy fan. And this song makes no exception. This just isn't for me.
16. Norway - Tooji : Stay
This is such a trademark Swedish Eurovision song even tough it's presenting Norway and it has some eastern sound in it too. There is nothing wrong with it or with Tooji, but I just feel like I have heard this too many times before (and that Eric Saade just did it better). It'll probably make it to the finale anyway.
17. Bosnia & Herzegovina - Maya Sar : Korake ti znam
This is not a bad ballad but as there is so many ballads in this semifinale, it doesn't really stand out. I'm pretty indifferent about this song.
18. Lithuania - Donny Montell : Love Is Blind
ARE YOU SERIOUS? You sing "love is blind" and then decide to wear a blind fold through half of the song. Not that I'd like this song otherwise either: I've never been a fan of chancing the style of the song completely in the middle of it. I hope being the last song on the stage doesn't guarantee a spot in the finale for him.
In general this semifinale seems to me to be slightly weaker than the first one. Not much but a tad bit. It might be the overflow of ballades tough because they have never been my special favorites in this competition.
As always it's hard to guess who'll do well in the semi before seeing the live performances. But for now I'll guess the ones going further are: Sweden (Loreen is just divine), Norway (boring for me but this definitely has it's fans), Turkey (migration to other countries will assure this), Serbia (Željko already has fans around Europe), Estonia (the best ballad tonight by far), Netherlands (doing its own thing tonight), Ukraine (big, bold, beautiful), Portugal (people love fado), Croatia (or some other of these ballads, I can't really predict which one) and Georgia (because some shit like this always gets through and unlike Belarus he can actually sing).
About the previous semifinale: I made my gestimation of who will go through to the finale after all the performances and got 7/10 (Russia, Ireland, Iceland, Greece, Romania, Moldova and Hungary) right. I think that's an ok result. I was sorry to see that Israel didn't make it there, but in the other hand happy that Hungary got through despite many saying it wouldn't. And THAN GOD Latvia has such a boring performance that they didn't get enough votes.
If we talk about the show in general, I felt it was set back several years (even something like a decade) due to the not so good camera work, hosts that tasted like cardboard and super huge and boring stage where the performers were mostly just lost. The show has looked so great during the last 5-7 years that the contrast was quite big.
And then to the songs we'll hear tonight!
1. Serbia - Željko Joksimović : Nije ljubav stvar
Željko is an old favorite and the ballad is a nice one with that special Balkan flavor. I'm pretty sure it'll get to the finale and rightfully so.
2. F.Y.R. Macedonia - Kaliopi : Crno i belo
I'm not a big fan of the fact that this song turns into a rock song in the middle. I like the melody and her unique voice, but I'd enjoyed it better if it had followed more the style it had in the first verse. And the screaming - I'm not a fan of that.
3. Netherlands - Joan Franka : You And Me
I like the song but I bloody hate her Indian outfit. Too bad it seems she'll have that headpiece also on the stage in Baku. When you don't see that I really enjoy the song.
4. Malta - Kurt Calleja : This Is the Night
Kurt seems really sweet on the video, but the song is just very boring pop song that really doesn't stand out from the mass.
5. Belarus - Litesound : We Are the Heroes
Belarus has one of the wost songs this year. The guys can't even really sing can they? I don't really care to hear this song ever again and don't really think it'll make it to the finale.
6. Portugal - Filipa Sousa : Vida minha
The fado flavor in this song is very nice and I think it's always nice when a country picks a song in their own language and with some national character. For that I hope we'll see Filipa also in the finale even tough she's not one of my own favorites.
7. Ukraine - Gaitana : Be My Guest
This is the mother of all football songs and she has all the moves of a diva. I mean, can't you just see this playing on one of those "best goals" things and performed on a football arena? And I do think this is a good song in that "genre". We'll see how it'll do tonight but if they pull of a great show I'll be happy to welcome her to the finale.
8. Bulgaria - Sofi Marinova : Love Unlimited
I can't really wrap my head around this song. It's not really catchy and I apparently can't quite decide what type of music it is either. She has a nice smile tough.
9. Slovenia - Eva Boto : Verjamem
The singers with the ridiculously huge shower caps. That and the fact that this was some kind of a ballad were literally the only two things I as able to remember from this song before re-listening it just now. So no, I don't think it'll make it even tough it's not a bad ballad.
10. Croatia - Nina Badrić : Nebo
Lovely strong ballad that has an unfortunate spot just after another ballad and just before Sweden. Nina is much better than Eva from Slovenia tough. Let's hope she'll go through to the finale.
11. Sweden - Loreen : Euphoria
I don't know if it's because I've heard Euphoria so many times, but I love this song. It's so strong and beautiful. And Loreen has a great voice and I really hope they don't mess her performance with that shady camera work... And I'm curious to see what the performance will be like as there's definitely going to be no such snowflakes and probably some screen action going on. Euphoria is a definite favorite for me personally and in general in the competition.
12. Georgia - Anri Jokhadze : I'm a Joker
He is so slimy, the is no way round it. The song isn't even quite so bad that I'd wish it to be (in a party it would definitely make me dance), but he makes at least the whole video just unbearable.
13. Turkey - Can Bonomo : Love Me Back
This just makes me happy, especially the traditional Turkish instruments and his smile. It's no winner song but as always Turkey won't miss the finale due to the migration, but that's ok.
14. Estonia - Ott Lepland : Kuula
Estonian is such a beautiful language when it's sung. And it's no exception in this song. Other than that Kuula is a beautiful ballad that gives me goosebumps and a perfect show case of how you can understand the emotions even tough you don't know a word of the language sung if it's the mother tongue of the singer. Ott would deserve his spot in the finale. (By the way, he has a perfect spot just after the energetic song from Turkey and the heavy song Slovakia.)
15. Slovakia - Max Jason Mai : Don't Close Your Eyes
If you know anything of my taste in music you'll know I'm no heavy fan. And this song makes no exception. This just isn't for me.
16. Norway - Tooji : Stay
This is such a trademark Swedish Eurovision song even tough it's presenting Norway and it has some eastern sound in it too. There is nothing wrong with it or with Tooji, but I just feel like I have heard this too many times before (and that Eric Saade just did it better). It'll probably make it to the finale anyway.
17. Bosnia & Herzegovina - Maya Sar : Korake ti znam
This is not a bad ballad but as there is so many ballads in this semifinale, it doesn't really stand out. I'm pretty indifferent about this song.
18. Lithuania - Donny Montell : Love Is Blind
ARE YOU SERIOUS? You sing "love is blind" and then decide to wear a blind fold through half of the song. Not that I'd like this song otherwise either: I've never been a fan of chancing the style of the song completely in the middle of it. I hope being the last song on the stage doesn't guarantee a spot in the finale for him.
In general this semifinale seems to me to be slightly weaker than the first one. Not much but a tad bit. It might be the overflow of ballades tough because they have never been my special favorites in this competition.
As always it's hard to guess who'll do well in the semi before seeing the live performances. But for now I'll guess the ones going further are: Sweden (Loreen is just divine), Norway (boring for me but this definitely has it's fans), Turkey (migration to other countries will assure this), Serbia (Željko already has fans around Europe), Estonia (the best ballad tonight by far), Netherlands (doing its own thing tonight), Ukraine (big, bold, beautiful), Portugal (people love fado), Croatia (or some other of these ballads, I can't really predict which one) and Georgia (because some shit like this always gets through and unlike Belarus he can actually sing).
22.5.2012
ESC 2012, first semifinale
I'm bit late with all this, but here is my short commentary of tonights ESC semifinale competitors. To save time I'll write this only in English.
1. Montenegro - Rambo Amadeus : Euro Neuro
This is a sneeky song. It makes absolutely no sence, but I still love it and hope this song will do well tonight, despite the slot as first performer.
2. Iceland - Greta Salóme & Jónsi : Never Forget
In a way there is nothing super special in this song but I still like it a lot. It's so powerful and emotional. Iceland definitely should go throught to the finale this year too.
3. Greece - Eleftheria Eleftheriou : Aphrodisiac
This is pure and uther crap. Sure it's typical Greece song but it's definitely not a good one. And I have permanent trauma from the video and the shiny panties...
4. Latvia - Anmary : Beautiful Song
The horrid ear worm. I can't stand this song and unfortunately I can't get it out of my head either. It definitely doesn't deserve a place in the finale but I bet it'll be one of the songs going throug anyway. I just HOPE it's not going to win...
5. Albania - Rona Nishliu : Suus
The song is odd and beautiful in its own way, but it takes time to understand it. Nice to have something different in the competition but I'm rather surtain it won't do well.
6. Romania - Mandinga : Zaleialah
The durms, the bagpipe, the rolling in the sand. This is europop at it's finest. And I can't help but like it. That said, I have no idea how it'll do tonight altough it has a fantastic slot just after Suus.
7. Switzerland - Sinplus : Unbreakable
Very basic radio friendly rock. I have nothing bad to say about this but there is nothing special in it either. Does it do well or porely? To be honest, I don't really care.
8. Belgium - Iris : Would You?
This song is a constant disappointment for me. It starts sounding like something Maia Hirazawa could sing and then turns into this super nausiatingly sweet song with no emotion in it. I hate to say it as I do love Belgium, but I really wish this won't go through to the finale.
9. Finland - Pernilla : När Jag Blundar
Let's be frank, I'm completely unable to say anything objective about this song. I mean, it wasn't my pick from the Finnish candidates this year but I do like it and as a Finn I just have to wish it does well. I thruely wish Pernilla will get to the finale even just so she'll get the experience as she is such a sweet girl.
10. Israel - Izabo : Time
Israel, one of my definite favorites this year! I love the positive energy they have and that Israel didn't turn this into a political thing. I really wish they'll get to the finale and am very pleased that they have such a good spot just after two ballads.
11. San Marino - Valentina Monatta : The Social Network Song (Oh Oh – Uh - Oh Oh)
If Latvia is an horrid ear worm, this is just plain horrid and definitely one of the most hated song in our library (there are two of us big fans here). I just hope San Marino isn't holding its breath for the win...
12. Cyprus - Ivi Adamou : La La Love
I didn't get this song at first but it did get under my skin after a while. A good europop song and a very good looking video. If they put up a good show they might do well tonight.
13. Denmark - Soluna Samay : Should've known better
I guess there is nothing really wrong about this song but the thing is I just don't like it. And that pretty much averyting I feel like saying about the song.
14. Russia - Buranovskiye Babushki : Party For Everybody
If you have followed the ESC scene at all this year you'll know what a phenomenom these Russian Babushkas have been. And I have to admit I do like them too, they just aren't my favorites. But it's safe to say they'll do well in the competition, no mather what.
15. Hungary - Compact Disco : Sound of Our Hearts
I'm pretty sure Compact Disco won't be one of the big winners this year (all tough I hope I'm wrong), but they have definitely stolen my heart with this song as well as with their very interesting video. Let's hope they have a good show tonigh.
16. Austria - Trackshittaz : Woki Mit Deim Popo
Am I the only one who get's their blood boiling when this song comes up? Yes? No? Oh well, it's safe to say this is not my song nor am I probably the intended audience for it...
17. Moldova - Pasha Parfeny : Lăutar
I have to admit that I can't remember at all how this song goes. But I do remember it's something I enjoy hearing it and that Pasha is very sweet.
18. Ireland - Jedward : Waterline
You know, Jedward was one of my big favorites last year with Lipstick. It was fun and energetic and just made me laugh and dance at home, especially in the semifinale where they happened to have the last performance just like this year. Waterline has all the same Jedward trademarks on it but it's bit less everyting compared to Lipstick. And even tough I'll cheer the this year too, this song just doesn't quite have that special something Lipstick had. I'm sure they'll get far in the competition, might even win too. Just, I wish they'd done it last year.
To conclude, the songs I think will definitely make it to the finale from this semifinale are Ireland, Russia and (unfortunately) Latvia. And the ones I really hope will also make it are Israel, Finland, Hungary, Iceland and Montenegro.
So there you have it, my 2 cents about the songs in this first semifinale. In few hours we'll know how it really goes. I can wait!
1. Montenegro - Rambo Amadeus : Euro Neuro
This is a sneeky song. It makes absolutely no sence, but I still love it and hope this song will do well tonight, despite the slot as first performer.
2. Iceland - Greta Salóme & Jónsi : Never Forget
In a way there is nothing super special in this song but I still like it a lot. It's so powerful and emotional. Iceland definitely should go throught to the finale this year too.
3. Greece - Eleftheria Eleftheriou : Aphrodisiac
This is pure and uther crap. Sure it's typical Greece song but it's definitely not a good one. And I have permanent trauma from the video and the shiny panties...
4. Latvia - Anmary : Beautiful Song
The horrid ear worm. I can't stand this song and unfortunately I can't get it out of my head either. It definitely doesn't deserve a place in the finale but I bet it'll be one of the songs going throug anyway. I just HOPE it's not going to win...
5. Albania - Rona Nishliu : Suus
The song is odd and beautiful in its own way, but it takes time to understand it. Nice to have something different in the competition but I'm rather surtain it won't do well.
6. Romania - Mandinga : Zaleialah
The durms, the bagpipe, the rolling in the sand. This is europop at it's finest. And I can't help but like it. That said, I have no idea how it'll do tonight altough it has a fantastic slot just after Suus.
7. Switzerland - Sinplus : Unbreakable
Very basic radio friendly rock. I have nothing bad to say about this but there is nothing special in it either. Does it do well or porely? To be honest, I don't really care.
8. Belgium - Iris : Would You?
This song is a constant disappointment for me. It starts sounding like something Maia Hirazawa could sing and then turns into this super nausiatingly sweet song with no emotion in it. I hate to say it as I do love Belgium, but I really wish this won't go through to the finale.
9. Finland - Pernilla : När Jag Blundar
Let's be frank, I'm completely unable to say anything objective about this song. I mean, it wasn't my pick from the Finnish candidates this year but I do like it and as a Finn I just have to wish it does well. I thruely wish Pernilla will get to the finale even just so she'll get the experience as she is such a sweet girl.
10. Israel - Izabo : Time
Israel, one of my definite favorites this year! I love the positive energy they have and that Israel didn't turn this into a political thing. I really wish they'll get to the finale and am very pleased that they have such a good spot just after two ballads.
11. San Marino - Valentina Monatta : The Social Network Song (Oh Oh – Uh - Oh Oh)
If Latvia is an horrid ear worm, this is just plain horrid and definitely one of the most hated song in our library (there are two of us big fans here). I just hope San Marino isn't holding its breath for the win...
12. Cyprus - Ivi Adamou : La La Love
I didn't get this song at first but it did get under my skin after a while. A good europop song and a very good looking video. If they put up a good show they might do well tonight.
13. Denmark - Soluna Samay : Should've known better
I guess there is nothing really wrong about this song but the thing is I just don't like it. And that pretty much averyting I feel like saying about the song.
14. Russia - Buranovskiye Babushki : Party For Everybody
If you have followed the ESC scene at all this year you'll know what a phenomenom these Russian Babushkas have been. And I have to admit I do like them too, they just aren't my favorites. But it's safe to say they'll do well in the competition, no mather what.
15. Hungary - Compact Disco : Sound of Our Hearts
I'm pretty sure Compact Disco won't be one of the big winners this year (all tough I hope I'm wrong), but they have definitely stolen my heart with this song as well as with their very interesting video. Let's hope they have a good show tonigh.
16. Austria - Trackshittaz : Woki Mit Deim Popo
Am I the only one who get's their blood boiling when this song comes up? Yes? No? Oh well, it's safe to say this is not my song nor am I probably the intended audience for it...
17. Moldova - Pasha Parfeny : Lăutar
I have to admit that I can't remember at all how this song goes. But I do remember it's something I enjoy hearing it and that Pasha is very sweet.
18. Ireland - Jedward : Waterline
You know, Jedward was one of my big favorites last year with Lipstick. It was fun and energetic and just made me laugh and dance at home, especially in the semifinale where they happened to have the last performance just like this year. Waterline has all the same Jedward trademarks on it but it's bit less everyting compared to Lipstick. And even tough I'll cheer the this year too, this song just doesn't quite have that special something Lipstick had. I'm sure they'll get far in the competition, might even win too. Just, I wish they'd done it last year.
To conclude, the songs I think will definitely make it to the finale from this semifinale are Ireland, Russia and (unfortunately) Latvia. And the ones I really hope will also make it are Israel, Finland, Hungary, Iceland and Montenegro.
So there you have it, my 2 cents about the songs in this first semifinale. In few hours we'll know how it really goes. I can wait!
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