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Final thoughts on the final of Eurovision
I think I did pretty good, guessing 8 out of 10 finalists on the first semi, and 6 out of 10 on the second one, after only listening to studio recordings once. Now, having seen live performances, I can judge with more confidence.
So far, I only pity my favorite song this year, Serbian "Cipela" didn't make it :(
Hungarians were good too, I think. But anyways, here is my take on the final of Eurovision 2009 in Moscow.
1. LITHUANIA - Very poignant song, too bad poor sound quality muffles words, but it's still brilliant, I can certainly feel it. PLACEMENT - between 5 and 10
2. ISRAEL - One of the best songs in this contest, in my opinion, very poignant too, with a strong message that cuts through like a knife. It should be in the top 10, but I'm not sure if it will since so many voters have rather lousy taste in my opinion. Bad draw on top of it, so I doubt Israelis will win. But if they will, they certainly deserve it. PLACEMENT - between 10 and 15
3. FRANCE - A bit "out there", but the best one from the major 4. Pros - it has Patricia Kaas, a household name in many European countries and rather interesting sound, cons - it's so interesting, doesn't sound like a... song, more like a score for some weird film noir. PLACEMENT - bottom 5(sorry Patricia, if I was to vote, I would be less cruel)
4. SWEDEN - Nice, definitely better then the awfulness of last year, but not quite as good as the Ark in 2007. Overall, "La Voix" is pretty good song, but nothing special, and with the draw it will probably be lost. PLACEMENT - between 15 and 20
5. CROATIA - I'm shocked about who could let something like that into the final. Nothing but moans and yawns. Their only hope is on neighbors, I doubt juries will fall for this crap. PLACEMENT - bottom 5
6. PORTUGAL - Nice, some people like it, but if Portuguese will keep sending this kind of music, they can as well wait another forty something years for the first victory. PLACEMENT - between 15 and 20
7. ICELAND - I didn't really like the song at first, but it grew on me since then, and Yohanna does terrific job, I expect this one to do quite well. PLACEMENT - between 5 and 10
8. GREECE - Good song, but without much content, kind of like Sweden, large stage, loud beat, big chorus. And so? But it's Greece, so expect it to be in the top. PLACEMENT - top 5
9. ARMENIA - A fun song, quite an improvement from the last year, I think. Has a bit ethnic vibe, but at the same time can appeal to a pop fan. PLACEMENT - between 5 and 10
10. RUSSIA - I don't think Russia can afford to host another Eurovision, so they chose this to ensure that Eurovision 2010 will be someplace else. It's a mediocre song for me, but I, nevertheless, expect it to perform pretty decent. PLACEMENT - between 10 and 15
11. AZERBAIJAN - Rather overrated song, in my opinion, sounds like one of those Indian movies. Turks will probably like it, but I prefer songs with more then one line. Nevertheless, I expect it to do well. PLACEMENT - top 5
12. BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - I found the singer a little creepy, maybe one day he will retire from being a musician and become some sort of dictator? I, however, do expect them to do well, since there are no other ex-Yugoslavian countries who could compete with them (forget Croatia). PLACEMENT - top 5
13. MOLDOVA - They are yet to master the art of being ethnic and appealing at the same time. Romania may give it 12 point, but who else would give her anything? PLACEMENT - between 15 and 20
14. MALTA - Just like with Iceland, this song had to grow on me. But it's a good ballad, and it's Chiara, so how could it do bad? I, personally, would love her to win, she participated twice and was close to victory, but never made it all the way through. I hope she will make it this time. If she won't, then let it be Sakis Rouvas from Greece. PLACEMENT - between 5 and 10
15. ESTONIA - It's always nice to hear an intelligent song in some weird language and see beautiful girls playing violins rather then dancing in mini skirts. Better then Moldova, but I'm not sure if it will have enough potential to appeal to all of Europe and not just Finland. PLACEMENT - between 10 and 15
16. DENMARK - Yawn... Only insomniacs could vote for something like THAT, perhaps Croatia was not enough to put them to sleep and so they went for Denmark. I miss you, Simon Mathew! PLACEMENT - bottom 5(I hope)
17. GERMANY - Nice song, I like it personally. But I just don't see who could vote for it. I mean, it's the band named "Alex sings, Oscar swings" or maybe vice versa(who cares?), performing something like "Miss kiss kiss bang". They should have some beer if they earn a point to celebrate. PLACEMENT - bottom 5
18. TURKEY - One of the most overrated songs in the contest, if Hadise would run for Belgium she would be eliminated, but Turkish diaspora carried it to the final. I just hope that jury wouldn't fall for this nonsense. "My heart is beating like dum tek tek" - how perverted your lyric writing ability can be to write something like that? Nevertheless, PLACEMENT - top 5(let's hope I'm wrong)
19. ALBANIA - Rather nice song, but nothing more to say really. It will probably be in the middle of the list somewhere. PLACEMENT - between 10 and 15
20. NORWAY - One of the bookmaker's favorites, and one of the best ones too, in my opinion, done with professionalism, but with originality, very appealing, so far, most likely a winner. But, let's not jump ahead of the train. PLACEMENT - top 5
21. UKRAINE - Ukraine never ceases to amaze me, I love practically every single Ukrainian entry, and this one is no exception, done Ukrainian way - grand, noisy and so damn catchy. PLACEMENT - top 5
22. ROMANIA - It grew on me a little when I heard it, but still not enough to like it, still pretty weak, I'd be disappointed if they would get a high score. PLACEMENT - between 10 and 15
23. U.K. - Andrew Lloyd Webber is famous for writing masterpieces like "Phantom of the opera", "Memory" and "Jesus Christ - superstar", but in Eurovision he is famous for writing THIS, whatever this is, certainly not suitable for Eurovision. Some Broadway number, but no more then that. Germany is better this year, in my opinion. But, nevertheless, my PLACEMENT - between 10 and 15
24. FINLAND - It starts kinda cool, but then goes slightly irritating, in my opinion Hungary was much better in showing how dance music should truly be done. This, ladies and gentlemen, is bottom. PLACEMENT - bottom 5
25. SPAIN - Fiery, + a good draw may do the trick. But man, how can it win, this merda? I miss you, Chikilicuatre. PLACEMENT - between 5 and 10
I think I did pretty good, guessing 8 out of 10 finalists on the first semi, and 6 out of 10 on the second one, after only listening to studio recordings once. Now, having seen live performances, I can judge with more confidence.
So far, I only pity my favorite song this year, Serbian "Cipela" didn't make it :(
Hungarians were good too, I think. But anyways, here is my take on the final of Eurovision 2009 in Moscow.
1. LITHUANIA - Very poignant song, too bad poor sound quality muffles words, but it's still brilliant, I can certainly feel it. PLACEMENT - between 5 and 10
2. ISRAEL - One of the best songs in this contest, in my opinion, very poignant too, with a strong message that cuts through like a knife. It should be in the top 10, but I'm not sure if it will since so many voters have rather lousy taste in my opinion. Bad draw on top of it, so I doubt Israelis will win. But if they will, they certainly deserve it. PLACEMENT - between 10 and 15
3. FRANCE - A bit "out there", but the best one from the major 4. Pros - it has Patricia Kaas, a household name in many European countries and rather interesting sound, cons - it's so interesting, doesn't sound like a... song, more like a score for some weird film noir. PLACEMENT - bottom 5(sorry Patricia, if I was to vote, I would be less cruel)
4. SWEDEN - Nice, definitely better then the awfulness of last year, but not quite as good as the Ark in 2007. Overall, "La Voix" is pretty good song, but nothing special, and with the draw it will probably be lost. PLACEMENT - between 15 and 20
5. CROATIA - I'm shocked about who could let something like that into the final. Nothing but moans and yawns. Their only hope is on neighbors, I doubt juries will fall for this crap. PLACEMENT - bottom 5
6. PORTUGAL - Nice, some people like it, but if Portuguese will keep sending this kind of music, they can as well wait another forty something years for the first victory. PLACEMENT - between 15 and 20
7. ICELAND - I didn't really like the song at first, but it grew on me since then, and Yohanna does terrific job, I expect this one to do quite well. PLACEMENT - between 5 and 10
8. GREECE - Good song, but without much content, kind of like Sweden, large stage, loud beat, big chorus. And so? But it's Greece, so expect it to be in the top. PLACEMENT - top 5
9. ARMENIA - A fun song, quite an improvement from the last year, I think. Has a bit ethnic vibe, but at the same time can appeal to a pop fan. PLACEMENT - between 5 and 10
10. RUSSIA - I don't think Russia can afford to host another Eurovision, so they chose this to ensure that Eurovision 2010 will be someplace else. It's a mediocre song for me, but I, nevertheless, expect it to perform pretty decent. PLACEMENT - between 10 and 15
11. AZERBAIJAN - Rather overrated song, in my opinion, sounds like one of those Indian movies. Turks will probably like it, but I prefer songs with more then one line. Nevertheless, I expect it to do well. PLACEMENT - top 5
12. BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - I found the singer a little creepy, maybe one day he will retire from being a musician and become some sort of dictator? I, however, do expect them to do well, since there are no other ex-Yugoslavian countries who could compete with them (forget Croatia). PLACEMENT - top 5
13. MOLDOVA - They are yet to master the art of being ethnic and appealing at the same time. Romania may give it 12 point, but who else would give her anything? PLACEMENT - between 15 and 20
14. MALTA - Just like with Iceland, this song had to grow on me. But it's a good ballad, and it's Chiara, so how could it do bad? I, personally, would love her to win, she participated twice and was close to victory, but never made it all the way through. I hope she will make it this time. If she won't, then let it be Sakis Rouvas from Greece. PLACEMENT - between 5 and 10
15. ESTONIA - It's always nice to hear an intelligent song in some weird language and see beautiful girls playing violins rather then dancing in mini skirts. Better then Moldova, but I'm not sure if it will have enough potential to appeal to all of Europe and not just Finland. PLACEMENT - between 10 and 15
16. DENMARK - Yawn... Only insomniacs could vote for something like THAT, perhaps Croatia was not enough to put them to sleep and so they went for Denmark. I miss you, Simon Mathew! PLACEMENT - bottom 5(I hope)
17. GERMANY - Nice song, I like it personally. But I just don't see who could vote for it. I mean, it's the band named "Alex sings, Oscar swings" or maybe vice versa(who cares?), performing something like "Miss kiss kiss bang". They should have some beer if they earn a point to celebrate. PLACEMENT - bottom 5
18. TURKEY - One of the most overrated songs in the contest, if Hadise would run for Belgium she would be eliminated, but Turkish diaspora carried it to the final. I just hope that jury wouldn't fall for this nonsense. "My heart is beating like dum tek tek" - how perverted your lyric writing ability can be to write something like that? Nevertheless, PLACEMENT - top 5(let's hope I'm wrong)
19. ALBANIA - Rather nice song, but nothing more to say really. It will probably be in the middle of the list somewhere. PLACEMENT - between 10 and 15
20. NORWAY - One of the bookmaker's favorites, and one of the best ones too, in my opinion, done with professionalism, but with originality, very appealing, so far, most likely a winner. But, let's not jump ahead of the train. PLACEMENT - top 5
21. UKRAINE - Ukraine never ceases to amaze me, I love practically every single Ukrainian entry, and this one is no exception, done Ukrainian way - grand, noisy and so damn catchy. PLACEMENT - top 5
22. ROMANIA - It grew on me a little when I heard it, but still not enough to like it, still pretty weak, I'd be disappointed if they would get a high score. PLACEMENT - between 10 and 15
23. U.K. - Andrew Lloyd Webber is famous for writing masterpieces like "Phantom of the opera", "Memory" and "Jesus Christ - superstar", but in Eurovision he is famous for writing THIS, whatever this is, certainly not suitable for Eurovision. Some Broadway number, but no more then that. Germany is better this year, in my opinion. But, nevertheless, my PLACEMENT - between 10 and 15
24. FINLAND - It starts kinda cool, but then goes slightly irritating, in my opinion Hungary was much better in showing how dance music should truly be done. This, ladies and gentlemen, is bottom. PLACEMENT - bottom 5
25. SPAIN - Fiery, + a good draw may do the trick. But man, how can it win, this merda? I miss you, Chikilicuatre. PLACEMENT - between 5 and 10