Yes after one amazing year its that time again. In about 8 hours time the first act will take to the stage in Baku to rehearse for Eurovision. In about 9 hours time the first of the videos will begin to appear and Eurovision 2012 can really begin. This is the bit about Eurovision that sets fans apart. This week while the rest of Europe tunes into something else, perhaps unaware that Eurovision is on, the contest is being fought over by TV people from all over Europe desperately trying to get the mix of everything right on stage. Those of us who follow this closely will get a much better understanding of everything that makes Eurovision go around.
We've been through it all, the good, the bad, Bjorn Ranelid. And here we are. I am so excited. Despite what my friends might say about Eurovision tonight is like Christmas Eve for me. Since late yesterday tweets, reports and blog posts have been slowly trickling through from Baku about the city and the Crystal Arena itself. I really look forward to hearing from all the fans out there about their opinions of the contest. So maybe I'm not at the contest but at this stage I'm just enjoying the moment of it. I love the constant stream of reports from the venue about how rehearsals are going and I look forward to the occasional podcast. For me this week is something that should be savoured rather than looked over in favour of live shows. I'm not entirely sure exactly what I will have to say tomorrow but do drop into the blog and find out.
I am a small voice in Eurovision media. However while I am aware that some of you think that I do a fairly reasonable job here I will point out that I am only human, and I most certainly cannot see the future. Nothing that I say is any more likely to occur than what any other good Eurovision fan might say. Think independently about Eurovision, don't just listen to one voice. Form your own opinion. Make it as informed as you see fit. Eurovision fandom is build on opinions. You are always welcome to share them with us too.
This time fortnight we will be well into the voting in the grand final. That is a great sentence to be able to write when your a Eurovision fan,
I wish all the very best over the next two weeks.
With Love,
Seán x
Saturday, May 12, 2012
The Unconventional Eurovision Song
Fans feathers were very much ruffled when it was announced that Izabo would be going to Baku in May to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. Izabo are a very orginal indie group and this starkly contrasts from the normal entry that we would expect from Israel [well maybe we won't discuss Dana International] but normally this is a seriously conservative country.
Izabo are an indie pop band. This automatically highlighted a change in stance from the previous years. Without a doubt though when we heard their song "Time" we were all pleasantly surprised.
This is a good song. It has very few of the normal hallmarks of a Eurovision entry. This could go either way as we have no real precedent to this song before. But it does bounce along very well and could get a lot of votes. It's in a very interesting semi-final, one of the stranger ones that we have seen in living memory. This might just stand out enough. This will depend on how good the stage show is, but given how randomly wonderful Izabo have done so far I'm expecting something big.
Israel is performing 10th in this semi-final which is a fairly strong position. Really though there are far to many variables still with this song to actually call on how well it will do.
Personally, it's not my favourite in semi-final 1 but it is still a strong song. I'm looking forward to seeing it.#
Verdict: It could do very well but it is to difficult to say at this stage. But I would guess that it should do well.
Grade: B
Izabo are an indie pop band. This automatically highlighted a change in stance from the previous years. Without a doubt though when we heard their song "Time" we were all pleasantly surprised.
This is a good song. It has very few of the normal hallmarks of a Eurovision entry. This could go either way as we have no real precedent to this song before. But it does bounce along very well and could get a lot of votes. It's in a very interesting semi-final, one of the stranger ones that we have seen in living memory. This might just stand out enough. This will depend on how good the stage show is, but given how randomly wonderful Izabo have done so far I'm expecting something big.
Israel is performing 10th in this semi-final which is a fairly strong position. Really though there are far to many variables still with this song to actually call on how well it will do.
Personally, it's not my favourite in semi-final 1 but it is still a strong song. I'm looking forward to seeing it.#
Verdict: It could do very well but it is to difficult to say at this stage. But I would guess that it should do well.
Grade: B
Friday, May 11, 2012
Tractors, Noodle Soup and Woki Mit Deim Popo!
Without a doubt one of the most interesting national finals this year was Austria. The big battle between Conchita Wurst and Trackshittaz was well flagged and also well watched. Ultimately the Trackshittaz were victorious. Personally I would have accepted either, and I think they both would have been great songs.
Before I launch into praising this song I'd like to say that I completely understand those of you who do not like this. More for this song than any other. But despite my general disliking of rap I really like Trackshittaz. Perhaps it may be because of the tractors or maybe it is the fact unlike most rappers they don't aim to "keep it real". The song is really good. It is aggressive enough that rap fans should like it and it should also appeal to the wider Eurovision audience, maybe not the fan network but certainly the people who watch Eurovision but are not one of the diehard fans. Trackshittaz have a great likability factor and this, combined with a strong stage show will really stand out in Baku.
Moving away from the song and Austria are still really well positioned this year. Third last in their semi-final they stand to do really well, particularly as they appear after Hungary. In a ballad heavy year it is likely that this will stand out in the final. I think could do really well. Maybe not so much with the juries though.
Verdict: This is a favorite of mine but I love a good number of semi-final 1 songs but overall this is great ad could do better than expected in Baku on the Saturday.
Grade: A-
Before I launch into praising this song I'd like to say that I completely understand those of you who do not like this. More for this song than any other. But despite my general disliking of rap I really like Trackshittaz. Perhaps it may be because of the tractors or maybe it is the fact unlike most rappers they don't aim to "keep it real". The song is really good. It is aggressive enough that rap fans should like it and it should also appeal to the wider Eurovision audience, maybe not the fan network but certainly the people who watch Eurovision but are not one of the diehard fans. Trackshittaz have a great likability factor and this, combined with a strong stage show will really stand out in Baku.
Moving away from the song and Austria are still really well positioned this year. Third last in their semi-final they stand to do really well, particularly as they appear after Hungary. In a ballad heavy year it is likely that this will stand out in the final. I think could do really well. Maybe not so much with the juries though.
Verdict: This is a favorite of mine but I love a good number of semi-final 1 songs but overall this is great ad could do better than expected in Baku on the Saturday.
Grade: A-
Macedonia: The Review
Macedonia this year have no doubt sent one of the most under-discussed song in this years song contest. No doubt that Crno I Belo is a reasonable song, but I just think that this is a very underwhelming entry from Macedonia. Kaliopi is a good singer too and Macedonia should be delighted to have her as a singer.
The song is a bit disjointed as a song. It starts as a normal ballad sort of song and this continues for about half of the song. This in my opinion is far to long, particularly after the ballad from Serbia. The song then bursts into a rock song. This in my opinion is far to different from the first part of the song. Therefore the song lacks any fluidity and consequently may be a total wash out on the night. In a tough year this just is not coming up to the mark.
Personally speaking I really dislike this entry. I think that it could not even be considered a "nice" entry. It is just one that is not at the standard that was required.
Verdict: Despite what some fans think (and I do respect your opinions), I feel that this just is not at the required standard and should have been left at home.
Grade: E-
The song is a bit disjointed as a song. It starts as a normal ballad sort of song and this continues for about half of the song. This in my opinion is far to long, particularly after the ballad from Serbia. The song then bursts into a rock song. This in my opinion is far to different from the first part of the song. Therefore the song lacks any fluidity and consequently may be a total wash out on the night. In a tough year this just is not coming up to the mark.
Personally speaking I really dislike this entry. I think that it could not even be considered a "nice" entry. It is just one that is not at the standard that was required.
Verdict: Despite what some fans think (and I do respect your opinions), I feel that this just is not at the required standard and should have been left at home.
Grade: E-
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Serbia: The Review
Before we begin today I know that the migration of Eurovision fans to the contest has begun, while this sadly I shall not be moving to as far (it's about 40 steps from my desk to the TV in the living room), I will be reporting from behind the lines from the home front. But for those who are travelling I wish all very safe journey's however you get to Baku.
Anyway in less pressing news, a couple of months back Serbia decided to send Zeljko Joksimovic to the Eurovison Song Contest on the basis that he is a very well known singer in the Balkans he also represented Serbia and Montenegro in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 coming a very respectable second, an impressive start for a debuting country. There was much discussion about the sort of songthe Zeljko would bring to the contest. Would it be one which was a mirror image of the 2004 entry [which was really good back then].
There can be little doubt that Nije Ljubav Stvar is a great Balkan ballad. It builds slowly but rather well and finishes with a fairly large cresendo. The song no doubt is definitely going to get some extra coverage because it is Zeljko. The trouble is that this song is far to formulaic in comparison to the 2004 Lane Moje. There is a management concept that sometimes crops up that strikes me as I write this. Never do the same thing again. In 2004 Balkan ballads were a new pure and fresh addition to the contest. Zeljko's really stood out too. This year the same cannot quite be said again. Balkan ballads are now fairly normal in the contest, we would normally expect 2 or 3 of them per year. Zeljko has even brought the Luke Ming Flanagan look a like to the contest (as he did in 2004).
This year Zeljko is in with about 4 other songs from the Balkans in a ballad heavy year. Given the Serbian starting position (first in semi 2), this is far from ideal. I'm not convinced that Serbia are going to do well enough in semi 2 in order to gain the momentum to do well enough in the final. While I don't think that getting to the semi-final will be a problem for Zeljko (he'll most likely do it on the back of massive Balkan support). But really this is not going make a Top 3 appearances.
Verdict: I think this is a reasonable Balkan ballad. However I do think that Serbia is not the best Balkan ballad is that amazing this year. That honour would fall to Slovenia.
Grade: B-
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
It's Tina Turner - Or Is It?
Every year a couple of Eurovision acts come along that remind us of stars we know from outside of Eurovision. Sometimes these general resemblances start to err on the side of "that's a bit to close for comfort" and this year the award for doing this goes to Gaitana from Ukraine.
#NationalFinalMemes: I cannot go on further without mentioning that Ukraine held their national final at 10:30 in the morning (Irish Time; 13:30 Ukrainian Time). 10:30! - I wasn't even out of bed (actually I wasn't awake that day until 12:00).
So anyway Ukraine decided to send Gaitana with her song "Be My Guest". It's a strong song, it works really well but I'd say that it might be hard for the average Eurovision audience to take in. Without a doubt the song has some similarities with Tina Turner. These I think could actually go against Gaitana. I suspect that the voting public may over look her on the those grounds, but these are really concerns which should remain hidden until the final, really this song is strong enough to come about 6th-8th place in the semi final.
It's success in a very tough semi-final is dependent on the songs ability to attract votes from the pool of non-ballads votes in semi-final 2. The question of how the song will do is the songs ability to get votes from better countries songs running later in the draw. So I'm not convinced.
Verdict: This is a strange song. Anyhow it is what it is but it doesn't do it for me. I can't see this doing well but it is Ukraine after all so we shall never know.
Grade: C
P.S. For some strange reason I cannot get thinking fully linearly tonight.
#NationalFinalMemes: I cannot go on further without mentioning that Ukraine held their national final at 10:30 in the morning (Irish Time; 13:30 Ukrainian Time). 10:30! - I wasn't even out of bed (actually I wasn't awake that day until 12:00).
So anyway Ukraine decided to send Gaitana with her song "Be My Guest". It's a strong song, it works really well but I'd say that it might be hard for the average Eurovision audience to take in. Without a doubt the song has some similarities with Tina Turner. These I think could actually go against Gaitana. I suspect that the voting public may over look her on the those grounds, but these are really concerns which should remain hidden until the final, really this song is strong enough to come about 6th-8th place in the semi final.
It's success in a very tough semi-final is dependent on the songs ability to attract votes from the pool of non-ballads votes in semi-final 2. The question of how the song will do is the songs ability to get votes from better countries songs running later in the draw. So I'm not convinced.
Verdict: This is a strange song. Anyhow it is what it is but it doesn't do it for me. I can't see this doing well but it is Ukraine after all so we shall never know.
Grade: C
P.S. For some strange reason I cannot get thinking fully linearly tonight.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
In Praise Of Country Music
While I try to plot out how to cover Eurovision fortnight 2012 next week and the week after, despite not knowing how many hours I have in the day, I shall continue to try to get all the reviews done as quick as I can. Anyhow while I originally set out to have all this stuff done before rehearsals started that seems increasingly likely that I won't have. Anyhow might be time to down a small medium large bottle of something and bang these out but anyhow here goes the Netherlands.
You might be forgiven in not remembering that the Netherlands in fact launched a new open style national final contrasting from their previous internal artist selection and public song mix. Anyone remember the giant suitcase. No? This is the problem, like Portugal despite changing the selection procedure they still have produced a fairly formulaic Dutch song.
And this is a great thing.
I am in the minority of fans who have liked most of Netherlands entries over the past five years. This year si no different. Joan Franka may have come from the most dull and deary national final you could think of this is a really nice and sweet country music song. It bounces along and really does draw you in. I'm not the biggest fan of Joan's outfit choice though and think that she should go with something more natural for Eurovision.
This has a couple of weaknesses: namely the song is too early in the running order to really make an impact on the voting public. I also think that despite the fan popularity of this song it is failing to make an impact in fan circles outside of the UK and Ireland. On the positive side I think this might make an impact outside the usual Eurovision fan voting public in the semi finals.
Verdict: This really is a great song. It's not one that makes me pick up the phone but really this is one I really am going to look forward to. Sadly though I cannot imagine this making it though to the final. Which is a real shame and will mean that thanks to Norway's unfortunate decision not to send Bobby Bare to the contest, there will once again be a final lacking in country music.
Grade: B+
You might be forgiven in not remembering that the Netherlands in fact launched a new open style national final contrasting from their previous internal artist selection and public song mix. Anyone remember the giant suitcase. No? This is the problem, like Portugal despite changing the selection procedure they still have produced a fairly formulaic Dutch song.
And this is a great thing.
I am in the minority of fans who have liked most of Netherlands entries over the past five years. This year si no different. Joan Franka may have come from the most dull and deary national final you could think of this is a really nice and sweet country music song. It bounces along and really does draw you in. I'm not the biggest fan of Joan's outfit choice though and think that she should go with something more natural for Eurovision.
This has a couple of weaknesses: namely the song is too early in the running order to really make an impact on the voting public. I also think that despite the fan popularity of this song it is failing to make an impact in fan circles outside of the UK and Ireland. On the positive side I think this might make an impact outside the usual Eurovision fan voting public in the semi finals.
Verdict: This really is a great song. It's not one that makes me pick up the phone but really this is one I really am going to look forward to. Sadly though I cannot imagine this making it though to the final. Which is a real shame and will mean that thanks to Norway's unfortunate decision not to send Bobby Bare to the contest, there will once again be a final lacking in country music.
Grade: B+
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)