We are the world's people, different yet we're the same...
So, as you may, or may not, be aware the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 is just around the corner with the to semi finals taking place on May 19th and 21st and the final on Saturday the 23rd. Following Austria's victory last year, Conchita triumphed with the wonderful Bassey-esque 'Rise Like a Phoenix', the contest will be beaming it's way across the world from the beautiful city of Vienna - and I will be there!
I know it's contentious with accusations of politics and block voting taking away from the actual songs themselves, some people would even question the quality of the songs involved, and that we in the UK may not be seen to take it as seriously as the rest of Europe and beyond (see Scooch), but I, for one, love it.
So, as we count down to the big night I'm going to give my views on all of the songs taking part in the ESC this year. I'll make it quite clear that these are just my opinions and as has become more obvious over the past few years, what I like very rarely wins (although last year was an exception to that rule)!
So, on with the show, and with just over a week to go til the madness kicks off , we'll start with Semi Final 1!
Moldova - Eduard Romanyuta - I Want Your Love
Sounds like a Justin Bieber song recorded before Justin Bieber was even born. If Justin was an artist in the late 90's/early 00's he would've probably recorded something like this. I'm not sure if this is trying to sound turn-of-the-century or if the production is just really outdated (although I do like the flourishes of traditional instruments in the background in the chorus), I think it sounds a bit like an old A1 song (whooooooooooooooooo???). A simple and slightly repetitive chorus and a limited vocal do nothing to save it, I don't rate his chances of qualifying for the final, and at the risk of sounding my mother, I do wish he'd cut his hair!
Armenia - Genealogy - Face the Shadow
A clever concept (members of Armenian descent from different continents and a member from Armenia) can't make up for a bit of a non-event of a song. The piano and acoustic guitars work better with some voices than others, and I think overall they blend pretty well together although I do find the operatics a bit distracting towards the end. Not a favourite of mine.
Belgium - Loic Nottet - Rhythm Inside
Well, someone's been listening to a lot of Lorde haven't they? It's great to see a fresh, young talent like 19 year old Loic bringing something a little different and more contemporary to the competition. Sparse production with a focus on clicks and claps in the verses really shows off the individuality of Loic's voice. Plus, he's already proved he can cope with large audiences and live TV as he finished 2nd on The Voice in Belgium. I really like it, but I have no idea what Europe will make of it.
Netherlands - Trijntje Oosterhuis - Walk Along
First of all think of her name on a triple word score in Scrabble - winner! Following their triumphant return to the finals last year with the sublime 'Calm After the Storm' by the Common Linnets (they nearly won the whole thing!) there's a lot of expectation around the Dutch entry this year. I must admit on first listen I was a little disappointed, but that all soon changed. Soulful vocal, gorgeous acoustic guitars with an air of 'Torn' by Natalie Imbruglia and a simple but deadly catchy chorus. Will the lack of immediacy hurt it's chances? I sincerely hope not.
Finland - Pertti Kurikan Nimipaivat - Aina mun pitaa
A punk band that was formed from a series of workshops for adults with developmental disabilities they have had success in their homeland and are now hoping to have a similar result in Eurovision. At 1 minute and 27 seconds it is the shortest song to ever enter the competition, what they do they seem to do well - I just don't like it, punk isn't really thing. Have a listen a see what you think.
Greece - Maria Elena Kyriakou - One Last Breath
Sound the big blousy ballad klaxon! The former winner of The Voice of Greece has an amazing set of pipes on her, what a voice! However, the song is a little bit old-fashioned. I hope they've put new batteries in the wind machine because it's going to get pounded over the 3 minutes Maria is on stage! When it actually gets out of first gear it's pretty good, and the end is full or dramatic clashes and over-the-top backing vocals, it really reminds me of 'The Voice Within' by Christina Aguilera and sounds like it's just stepped out of that era. Will it qualify? Not a bloody clue!
Estonia - Elina Borg & Stig Rasta - Goodbye to Yesterday
One of the early favourites for victory in Vienna, and it's a classy affair. Jaunty, retro-influenced acoustic guitars with stabs of Bond-style bass and brass give this a real 60's flavour. There is some nice interplay between the two of them and their voices work well together, although they don't sound like they're in a particularly good place as a couple...
Macedonia - Daniel Kajmakoski - Autumn Leaves
Macedonia may not be one of the strongets qualification records at Eurovision but they keep plugging away. This is a distinct change of gear from last year's dance-oriented entry. A traditional Balkan balled with nice flourishes of violins, but maybe a little too safe? I kept waiting for it to kick off and take flight, but it never happened. It's pleasant, but maybe not in a good way.
Serbia - Bojana Stamenov - Beauty Never Lies
Returning after a year's absence Serbia come back with a popular singer in their country (she came 3rd in Serbia's Got Talent). In my critique of the last song I said I was waiting for it all to kick off, there's no such problem with this one! At the start it's all very much etho-pop by numbers with lyrics from the 'Miss Congeniality Book of World Peace', then someone presses the poppers 'o clock button half way through and we get Serbia by way of Magaluf - it's as mental as it sounds. Camp as tits, overly dramatic and divisive, I happen to love it!
Hungary - Boggie - Wars for Nothing
Speaking of world peace-style lyrics, ladies and gentlemen we have a winner in that category! A call for a cease to world wars and the fact that everyone deserves a chance, blah, blah and thrice blah. I understand and appreciate the sentiment, but this is inoffensive to the point of being bland. It is 3 minutes of your life you will never get back. What's Hungarian for 'Kumbaya'?
Belarus - Uzari & Maimuna - Time
A male vocalist and female violinist duo...obviously! His voice is fairly pleasant and the violin does add something a little different to the poppy production, but, again, it never really takes off. I really like the violin breakdown mid-way through as it works really well with his vocals, but that isn't really enough to save it.
Russia - Polina Gagarina - A Million Voices
I feel I need to start this review with a note that my views on this song are not coloured at all by the political landscape in Russia nor are they an endorsement of the treatment of certain groups at the hands of the Putin regime. Well, now that's out of the way, on to the song. This is as cheesy as 70's fondue, very much in the world peace category, the production is slightly dated but is classy in the extreme and Polina's voice is bloody fantastic. Although I may not agree with the way the country is governed they can certainly churn out a wind machine fodder ballad of the highest order, this could do very well.
Denmark - Anti Social Media - The Way You Are
Denmark have a pretty good track record at Eurovision and have hit something of a purple patch over the last few years with the popular Bruno Mars rip off of last year (Basim's 'Cliche Love Song') and winning in 2013 with wood nymph Emelie de Forest's penny whistle anthem 'Only Teardrops'. So, we come to their 2015 entry, sunny guitars, cute backing vocals, catchy lyrics but there's just something missing and I can't put my finger on what it is. I like it, but that's it - it's nice, and I fear that may not be enough to make a splash.
Albania - Elhaida Dani - I'm Alive
Elhaida has won a TV talent show called Star Factory in her homeland and The Voice of Italy so she's got pedigree. She has an interesting tone to her voice and it all starts rather pleasantly with ad libs and acoustic guitars. Elhaida has a beautiful voice and the percussion continues to build towards a crashing finale. I really like this one, although Albania can be quite unpredictable in the contest so God knows what's going to happen to this one.
Romania - Voltaj - De la capat (All Over Again)
The words 'Romanian pop-rock' don't exactly fill me with joy, but this isn't as bad as I initially thought. Pleasant Radio 2-style backing track and serviceable vocals, but will it be enough to stand out in the huge sea of ballads this year? I'm not so sure. When the lyrics switch to Engish it loses something and just sounds a bit like any other slightly bland emo-pop from about 10 years ago.
Georgia - Nina Sublatti - Warrior
Something of a fan favourite this year Georgia are coming off the back of finishing last in their semi final last year and it would appear they've come out fighting. It's got lovely modern production and has a sheen to it that few songs this year can compete with. My major problem is that her diction is just appalling! I understand this is her second language, but I do struggle to pick many lyrics out. However, that said it is a strong entry with elements of drum & bass in the breakdown midway through. I think this stands a chance of not only qualifying but doing very well in Vienna.
So, there you have it, the songs that are competing in the first semi final of Eurovision in Vienna. Make sure to check back very soon for my thoughts on semi final 2 and the automatic qualifiers from France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom and new kids on the block Australia!
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