(no subject)
Eurovision, part II, here we go:
CROATIA - Igor Cukrov feat. Andrea - "Liepa Tiena"
Beautiful, but as it often is with Croatia, I have a feeling I've heard it somewhere. It's kind
of like last year's entry, but without an old man with a gramophone. They do have pretty decent chances to be in the final.
IRELAND - Sinead Mulvey and Black Daisy - "Et cetera"
The most Americanized song in the Eurovision 2009, quite a contrast from Croatia. Very rocking track, but will it do well in Europe?
LATVIA - Intars Busulis - "Probka"
Rather interesting song. I think it will do well, especially if the live performance will capture the mood. Will most likely get to the final.
SERBIA - Marko Kon and Milan Nikolic - "Cipela"
Traditional, but very fun song. Serbs can entertain! Would love to see it in the final.
POLAND - Lidia Kopania - "I don't wanna leave"
Quite a change of mood from Latvian and Serbian songs. A beautiful ballad, did Dianne Warren write this one as well? Probably the best ballad I've heard so far in this Eurovision(and probably any Eurovision). If televoters will not pick this(which I doubt), it will be the jurors choice.
NORWAY - Alexander Rybak - "Fairytale"
Violin-playing Russian living in Norway playing this Celtic inspired piece. Sweet, appealing as many viewers say. But I can't say anything else about it really.
CYPRUS - Christina Metaxa - "Firefly"
I doubt it would make it to the final. To be honest, I doubt even Greece will give it points.
SLOVAKIA - Kamil Mikulcik and Nela Pociskova - "Let' tmou"
Cyprus got a company.
DENMARK - Niels Brinck - "Believe again"
Stylistically similar to Irish entry, but I think it's a bit worse, probably because of vocal performance. A little cheesy too.
SLOVENIA - Quartissimo feat. Martina Majerle - "Love symphony"
I thought it's an instrumental at first, is it an attempt to repeat "Nocturne" again, Norwegian 1995 winning entry. I'm not sure if it's a winner, but a solid final qualifier for sure. And Martina CAN sing.
HUNGARY - Zoli Adok - "Dance with me"
Hungarians are intent to win Eurovision, submitting strong songs in 2007 and 2008. This one has all the potential to do well. Disco fantasy, indeed.
AZERBAIJAN - AySel and Arash - "Always"
Similar style as Armenia, but better. Very ethnic, but just as appealing. Should race to the final.
GREECE - Sakis Rouvas - "This is our night"
Greece has always been treating Eurovision very seriously and this year is no exception. Sakis Rouvas represented Greece in 2004, coming third. This year he is back, and he has no intention to be eliminated in the semi-final.
LITHUANIA - Sasha Son - "Love"
An associated act with Dima Bilan, last year's winner, I can't help but think Sasha Son is just copying Bilan, and thus, I have doubts if he will make it to the final. But the song is good, and if he gets a good support, he can make it(well, anyone can).
MOLDOVA - Nelly Ciobanu - "Hora din Moldova"
Another ethnic number. Charisma is a keyword here, and Nelly has it. The song is questionable, though.
ALBANIA - Kejsi Tola - "Carry me in your dreams"
At least it's uptempo. Last year's song made me sleepy. I still don't really care for Albanian entry, but it might do well from neighboring vote. However, their neighbors prepared well too, so the jury is out for Albania.
UKRAINE - Svetlana Loboda - "Be my valentine"
Well-done and entertaining as hell. Ukrainians are notorious for making very strong live shows, so it should do well. Aesthetes may not be pleased, however.
ESTONIA - Urban Symphony - "Randajad"
A bit of classical music here, with some ethnic sound. Aesthetes will like it, not so sure about the general public.
NETHERLANDS - The Toppers - "Shine"
Anthemic and dancey effort from Netherlands, a-la disco version of "We are the world", but better. Country like Netherlands cannot send mediocre songs, as it doesn't have as much support as Balkan or Scandinavian countries, and this song has the potential to take Holland to another level.
SO...
HERE ARE THE COUNTRIES THAT, IN MY OPINION, WILL MAKE IT TO THE FINAL:
LATVIA, POLAND, NORWAY, AZERBAIJAN, GREECE, UKRAINE, NETHERLANDS, HUNGARY, SERBIA, SLOVENIA.
And now, let's take a look at the last two finalists:
FRANCE - Patricia Kaas - "Et s'il fallait le faire"
Patricia Kaas is definitely the biggest star on this Eurovision, hugely popular in Western as well as Eastern Europe, she will definitely get some points just because of being Patricia Kaas. The song does have French charm, but will it win is the question.
RUSSIA - Anastasiya Prykhodko - "Mamo"
Russia put all eggs in one basket and just went for neighboring votes. Hardly likely, it will appeal to anyone else.
CROATIA - Igor Cukrov feat. Andrea - "Liepa Tiena"
Beautiful, but as it often is with Croatia, I have a feeling I've heard it somewhere. It's kind
of like last year's entry, but without an old man with a gramophone. They do have pretty decent chances to be in the final.
IRELAND - Sinead Mulvey and Black Daisy - "Et cetera"
The most Americanized song in the Eurovision 2009, quite a contrast from Croatia. Very rocking track, but will it do well in Europe?
LATVIA - Intars Busulis - "Probka"
Rather interesting song. I think it will do well, especially if the live performance will capture the mood. Will most likely get to the final.
SERBIA - Marko Kon and Milan Nikolic - "Cipela"
Traditional, but very fun song. Serbs can entertain! Would love to see it in the final.
POLAND - Lidia Kopania - "I don't wanna leave"
Quite a change of mood from Latvian and Serbian songs. A beautiful ballad, did Dianne Warren write this one as well? Probably the best ballad I've heard so far in this Eurovision(and probably any Eurovision). If televoters will not pick this(which I doubt), it will be the jurors choice.
NORWAY - Alexander Rybak - "Fairytale"
Violin-playing Russian living in Norway playing this Celtic inspired piece. Sweet, appealing as many viewers say. But I can't say anything else about it really.
CYPRUS - Christina Metaxa - "Firefly"
I doubt it would make it to the final. To be honest, I doubt even Greece will give it points.
SLOVAKIA - Kamil Mikulcik and Nela Pociskova - "Let' tmou"
Cyprus got a company.
DENMARK - Niels Brinck - "Believe again"
Stylistically similar to Irish entry, but I think it's a bit worse, probably because of vocal performance. A little cheesy too.
SLOVENIA - Quartissimo feat. Martina Majerle - "Love symphony"
I thought it's an instrumental at first, is it an attempt to repeat "Nocturne" again, Norwegian 1995 winning entry. I'm not sure if it's a winner, but a solid final qualifier for sure. And Martina CAN sing.
HUNGARY - Zoli Adok - "Dance with me"
Hungarians are intent to win Eurovision, submitting strong songs in 2007 and 2008. This one has all the potential to do well. Disco fantasy, indeed.
AZERBAIJAN - AySel and Arash - "Always"
Similar style as Armenia, but better. Very ethnic, but just as appealing. Should race to the final.
GREECE - Sakis Rouvas - "This is our night"
Greece has always been treating Eurovision very seriously and this year is no exception. Sakis Rouvas represented Greece in 2004, coming third. This year he is back, and he has no intention to be eliminated in the semi-final.
LITHUANIA - Sasha Son - "Love"
An associated act with Dima Bilan, last year's winner, I can't help but think Sasha Son is just copying Bilan, and thus, I have doubts if he will make it to the final. But the song is good, and if he gets a good support, he can make it(well, anyone can).
MOLDOVA - Nelly Ciobanu - "Hora din Moldova"
Another ethnic number. Charisma is a keyword here, and Nelly has it. The song is questionable, though.
ALBANIA - Kejsi Tola - "Carry me in your dreams"
At least it's uptempo. Last year's song made me sleepy. I still don't really care for Albanian entry, but it might do well from neighboring vote. However, their neighbors prepared well too, so the jury is out for Albania.
UKRAINE - Svetlana Loboda - "Be my valentine"
Well-done and entertaining as hell. Ukrainians are notorious for making very strong live shows, so it should do well. Aesthetes may not be pleased, however.
ESTONIA - Urban Symphony - "Randajad"
A bit of classical music here, with some ethnic sound. Aesthetes will like it, not so sure about the general public.
NETHERLANDS - The Toppers - "Shine"
Anthemic and dancey effort from Netherlands, a-la disco version of "We are the world", but better. Country like Netherlands cannot send mediocre songs, as it doesn't have as much support as Balkan or Scandinavian countries, and this song has the potential to take Holland to another level.
SO...
HERE ARE THE COUNTRIES THAT, IN MY OPINION, WILL MAKE IT TO THE FINAL:
LATVIA, POLAND, NORWAY, AZERBAIJAN, GREECE, UKRAINE, NETHERLANDS, HUNGARY, SERBIA, SLOVENIA.
And now, let's take a look at the last two finalists:
FRANCE - Patricia Kaas - "Et s'il fallait le faire"
Patricia Kaas is definitely the biggest star on this Eurovision, hugely popular in Western as well as Eastern Europe, she will definitely get some points just because of being Patricia Kaas. The song does have French charm, but will it win is the question.
RUSSIA - Anastasiya Prykhodko - "Mamo"
Russia put all eggs in one basket and just went for neighboring votes. Hardly likely, it will appeal to anyone else.