Eurovision 2015: Greece

I'm not talking about this type of Greek.

Greece has been a powerhouse at the Eurovision Song Contest for the past 10 years--winning the contest back in 2005 and successfully making the finals every year since.

This year the Greek national final took place on March 4th with a two hour show from a concert hall in Athens,  Five acts competed to represent their country and a whole lot of former Eurovision contestants performed their songs.  (Seriously, the competition started an hour into the contest because they had so many former contestants on the bill.)

After years of sending high-octane dance numbers, Greece has send a straightforward ballad that features no traditional Greek instrumentation.   (It's rather shocking.)

Maria Elena Kyriakou   "One Last Breath"

Athough it's a rather middling affair with a "Bond theme" feeling reminiscent of last year's winner, it's quite easy to understand why Kyriakou won with a sweep of the jury and televote.   The other four songs had problems with either their composition or performance which made "One Last Breath" the obvious choice.

Thomai Apergi & Legend   "Jazz and Sirtaki"

Shaya Hansen   "Sunshine"

It also didn't hurt that Kyriakou is the winner of The Voice Greece, where she was a fan favorite being saved by the audience multiple times.   Eurosong 2015--60 Years of Music was hers to lose.

As for her chances...   Yeah, Greece is qualifying.  There's no question about that.   It's not likely to challenge for the win, but will place respectably enough.  Greece can't really afford Eurovision, so they sent the perfect song to give them a respectable result without forcing them into shelling out money they don't have.

Eurovision 2015: Belgium

I've been listening and thinking about the Belgian entry for a while now and I really don't know what I think about it after letting it settle for almost a month.

Take a listen.

Loïc Nottet   "Rhythm Inside"

The sound of "Rhythm Inside" is interesting.  It's very modern sounding and reminiscent of this huge international hit of last year.

Lorde  "Royals"

"Rhythm Inside" sounds great when coming through my stereo speakers, and I'm looking forward to blasting it when driving down the interstate later this year.  

However, I am not convinced that the Belgian team has an idea on how to present the song in a way that will appeal to voters.   The video for "Rhythm Inside" attempts to make Nottet moody and sexy.  The problem is Nottet comes across in the video about as moody and sexy as a Golden Retriever.  The effect is unintentionally hilarious.  

Belgium is another country that isn't a Eurovision powerhouse, and Nottet needs to be charming and charismatic, not failing at being sexy.   That charm and charisma is there.  You can see it at the end of the video when he smiles after attempting to look moody with water dripping all over him.  The "Blue Steel" look is dopey, but the smile draws you in.

If he can come across the TV during the semifinal as "himself" and not something the Belgian team is attempting to manufacture, he's sure to make the final.  If he doesn't, "Rhythm Inside" will be the quality song that gets left behind for something mediocre.  It happens every year...

Eurovision 2015: Montenegro

Pretty, ain't it?

Montenegro made it to the finals for the first time last year and they're hoping lightning strikes twice with their entry sung by Knez. 

Knez   "Adio"

"Adio" is a traditional Balkan ballad sung by Knez, a performer who has had a 20 year career in the region.   The song has a golden pedigree, with both music and lyrics by one of the most successful participants in Eurovision, Željko Joksimović.  This should give "Adio" a chance to make it to the finals.

However, I don't think as it is now, "Adio" will make it to Saturday night.

If you take a look at the successful male Balkan ballads at Eurovision, there's an aura of polished quality behind them:

Sergej Ćetković  "Moj svijet"   Montenegro  2014

 Željko Joksimović   "Lane moje"   Serbia and Montenegro   2004

Dino Merlin   "Love in Rewind"  Bosnia/Herzegovina  2011

Unfortunately, in the form it is in now, Knez and "Adio" don't have that quality.  In the video, Knez is squeezed into clothing that would look stupid on someone 20 years younger than he is and he's backed up by a group of Kardashian clones.   It's trashy attempting with all of its might to be classy.

Of course, my opinion can change once I see the performance come the night of the first semifinal, but as of right now, Montenegro's song is a big disappointment.

Eurovision 2015: Russia

A million voices would be very loud...

It is really hard to sit down and type up a review of the Russian entry, since than any other country there is a political bent to the song that should be addressed.

For the third year in a row, the Russian broadcaster C1R has chosen their song internally.  Their choice, released on March 9th, is this song by Star Factory winner Polina Gagarina.

Polina Gagarina   "A Million Voices"

Gagarina has had chart success in the countries of the former Soviet Union and the song is a simple and insipid little song about peace.   Russia's entry is built to be as inoffensive as humanly possible.

The fact that "A Million Voices" is so sweet and inoffensive is where global politics comes into play.   Under the rule of Vladimir Putin, Russia has been acting more like it did during the Cold War--sending military troops into neighboring countries, limiting the rights of gays and lesbians, and pushing national sovereignty in air and sea encounters with other countries.

These choices have made Russia a pariah in much of Europe.   This distaste became very evident at last year's Eurovision, where the Tolmachevy Sisters were booed when they qualified for the final. 

Their song, "Shine", was another inoffensive song about unrequited love and the negative reaction from the audience in Copenhagen was politically beneficial to the Russian government.

"A Million Voices" is another song in that vein--instead of unrequited love the song like "Shine", "A Million Voices" is about unity and peace.   Here's the opening verse.

We are the worlds people/

Different yet we're the same/

We believe/

We believe in a dream

Praying for peace and healing/

I hope we can start again/

We believe/

We believe in a dream

So if you ever feel love is fading/

Together like the stars in the sky/

We can sing/

We can shine

This song is perfect because whatever the outcome, the current Russian government can use the results to help bolster their political power.   If it's well received, it will be spun as Europe supporting Russian ideals.  If it's booed or scores poorly, the "liberal Western Europe" can be blamed for not understanding Russian idealism.

It's quite brilliant in that regard.

As for my personal opinion, I'm rather disappointed.  I wish they would have given Ms. Gagarina something a bit more hard edged to sing.  She has a beautiful voice but the both the lyrics and arrangement let her down.   It leaves me longing for the days where Russia wasn't so worried about the optics of their song.

Serebro   "Song #1"   Russia   2007

I'd vote for "Song #1".  I wouldn't vote for "A Million Voices".  

Eurovision 2015: Estonia

Let's keep on chugging though the Eurovision national finals with Estonia.

Trust me, there's a reason for this picture of Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin

Estonia has been using the same program, Eesti Laul, to choose their entrant for the past seven years.   This year's Eesti Laul final took place back on February 24th and if you like a good variety show format, with a little bit of everything, watch this sample of songs from the final.

Robin Juhkental & The Big Bangers  "Troubles"

Elephants From Neptune   "Unriddle Me"

Elisa Kolk   "Superlove"  

Pretty much Eesti Laul has a song everybody would like.   That'ss always a treat when you watch one of these shows--you're not bored with repetition.

However, if you like suspense, this isn't the final to watch.  It was obvious which song was going to win as soon as the third song in the lineup was sung.

Elina Borg and Stig Rästa   "Goodbye to Yesterday"

"Goodbye to Yesterday" took the framework of year's Dutch entry--the most commercially successful song from last year's contest

The Common Linnets   "Calm Before The Storm"   the Netherlands  2014

and grafted on the feel of a lot of French musical provocateur Serge Gainsbourg's duets.

Serge Gainsbourg and Bridget Bardot  "Bonnie And Clyde"

By doing that, "Goodbye to Yesterday" stood out from all the rest of the songs in the Estonian national final because, unlike the rest of the songs in the contest, it seems original and fresh.  In comparison the other songs were retreads of songs that have been seen in the contest.

That freshness has also set it high up the betting tables as a potential winner.  It's understandable.  It's classy enough to appeal to the juries from different countries and it goes over quite well over the TV screens.   And the chorus is catchy.  I warn you, you will be humming "Goodbye to Yesterday" after listening to it.  It's that sort of song.

Good job Estonia.

Eurovision 2015: Australia

You read that right.  I didn't mistype Austria.   Australia, which is about as far away from Europe as you can get, has been invited to participate in this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

Australia has been broadcasting Eurovision since 1983 and it's become something of a national institution there, garnering large ratings and a major following.   Because of the contest's popularity, the Australian broadcaster SBS has been treated more and more like a normal Eurovision member.  In recent years the EBU has allowed them a broadcasting booth, unofficial televoting privileges, and even participation with an interval act in Copenhagen.

Jessica Mauboy   "Sea of Flags"   2014

So naturally, the next step was actually to have a song compete in an actual final, and as a nod to the theme of this year's contest "Building Bridges" and to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Eurovision, Australia was allowed to participate in the competition this year.

Guy Sebastian   "Tonight Again"

And Australia is in it to win it.   

Guy Sebastian is a winner of the singing contest "Australian Idol" and has had some international success--here in the US and in Europe as well.  So he does have the singing chops.  

The song, an pop tune heavily influences by classic R&B, is tailor made to make an impact on the stage of Vienna. it's upbeat, instantly catchy, and fun.   It's going to stand out.

I like it and am so looking forward to the staging when Sebastian hits the stage in the national final.  

Eurovision 2015: Poland

Poland has done a u-turn this year with their entry for Eurovision this year.

Traditional Polish Easter Eggs

Instead of the rather edgy folk/hip hop hybrid of last year's entry, Poland has gone with a "traditional" Eurovision style--the emotive ballad.

Monika Kuszyńska   "In The Name Of Love"  

It's an empowering song about love with piano and strings that builds slowly to a powerful ending.   Nothing particularly original and unlikely to set the scoreboard aflame during the final.

Yet, at the same time, I love this song.  Kuszyńska has control of her voice and impeccable diction and combined with the dreamy music--it just works for me.

It reminds me very much of the Azerbaijani entry last year:

Dilara Kazimova   "Start a Fire"   Azerbaijan   2014

Kasimova got the worst result for one of the most successful countries in Eurovision; however, in my personal Eurovision rotation "Start a Fire" is a regular listen.

I fully expect the same result for the Polish entry this year.  Unlike Azerbaijan, Poland doesn't have any natural friendly votes, so it's unlikely to get out of their semifinal.  However, I suspect it will be a song I'll champion for years to come.

Eurovision 2015: Sweden

You gotta get a gimmick...

I'm showing my contrarian side with this post.  While many Eurovision fans go crazy for the goings-on with the Swedish selection process--Melodifestivalen--I honestly think it's overrated.

Melodifestivalen is a mainstay of the Swedish television broadcaster SVT's programming, and it shows.  The production levels SVT brings to the show is something that other national broadcasters have begun to imitate--if you look at finals in Austria, Denmark, Estonia, and Norway, they've stolen bits of the Melodifestivalen formula.

The problem with formula is that there can be a sameness to the songs.

Swedish Eurovision songs are processed schlager numbers that are catchy but ultimately soulless because they have been worked over and processed to death.

Eric Saade   "Sting"

Dinah Nah   "Make Me (La La La)"

Isa   "Don't Stop"

They all are catchy.  That's undeniable.  But there's a sameness here that makes them indistinguishable.  So you have to do something special to stand out.   Or as they say in the the musical "Gypsy"--"You gotta get a gimmick/if you want to get ahead"

And that's why this song was the winner.

Måns Zelmerlöw   "Heroes"

The boy had a gimmick that took the song to the next level.  The song isn't the best in the final, nor is he the best singer, but the animation and choreography lifts it above everything else.

Likely going to lift it into a top five finish too.   

In my mind, it doesn't deserve that high of a placement, but when you have a good gimmick, a turd of a song can become a diamond...

Eurovision 2015: Spain

Every Eurovision cycle there is a song or two that the Eurovision blogosphere goes wild for that I don't understand the reason for such praise.

Two years ago it was this song:

Cascada   "Glorious"   Germany  2013

Last year it was this song:

Tanja   "Amazing"   Estonia  2014

This year, it's Spain's entry to Eurovision.

Edurne   "Amancer"

Edurne appears to have a pretty stable career in Spain, having released five albums over a nine-year career as well as being a reality TV star in Spain with appearances on a number of high profile television shows.

The song, however, is boring.   It's a Spanish dance song that lacks any verve.   It's a disappointment in comparison to their entry last year, which was a memorable song and performance (even if it wasn't my favorite.)

Perhaps she'll deliver on the night, but right now it's completely off target.

If someone can explain why this is so popular, I'd love to know.

Eurovision 2015: Slovenia

Charmingly picturesque.

Last year, during the Eurovision season, I was moving and didn't have time to sit down and record my feelings about the Eurovision final.   If I had, I would have been waxing rhapsodic over this song.

Tinkara Kovač   "Round And Round"

When watching the second semifinal, this song bowled me over.  The song, performance, and staging resonated with me in a way that few Eurovision songs have done before.   This would have been the song I would have voted for, and I went out and bought a couple of Kovač's albums after the contest and I can say "Round and Round" is one of my top 10 Eurovision songs.

So I was looking forward to watching Slovenia's national final, Evrovizijska Melodija.  I wanted to see if "Round and Round" was a fluke, or if Slovenian pop music is actually a secret jewel.

---

EMA 2015 was at the beginning rather disappointing at first blush.   It started out with a lot of Balkan ballads and castoffs from the Swedish national finals.

And then came song six.

Maraaya   "Here For You"

Eurovision pop perfection.

I have had this song on repeat ever since hearing it.

I've memorized the lyrics.  

I whistle the tune at work, and I keep serenading my husband with this song.  (If you think this is bad, just know I live with his Formula 1 obsession.  I think it's fair.)

Yes, readers, we have my favorite song in this contest.

Eurovision 2015: Iceland

Can you believe that the population of Anchorage is about the same as Iceland?

On the American television show "The Price is Right", there is a little tune played when a contestant loses.

Go ahead an play the clip.    Now you know exactly how I feel with the winning song from the Icelandic national final--Söngvakeppnin 2015.

Söngvakeppnin 2015 ended on Valentine's Day this year, with seven songs competing for the chance to go to Vienna.  And like most years, the Icelandic national final has some cracking little songs, which is amazing considering the country has a population roughly the size of the Municipality of Anchorage.

Unsurprisingly, I enjoyed a number of competitors, like this little love song by a 16-year-old young lady.

Elín Sif Halldórsdóttir   "Dance Slow"

And this R&B number:

Friðrik Dór   "Once Again"

But instead of something new and unique, Iceland has chosen this, the song I ranked second to last in the final.

María Ólafsdóttir   "Unbroken"

Um, Iceland.  Didn't Denmark send this song two years ago?

Emmilie de Forest   "Only Teardrops"

It's not a one to one match, but "Unbroken" does feel like a pastiche of a winning Eurovision song.  It's slick, polished, and performed competently.  I just doesn't feel particularly fresh or original, something I crave with my Eurovision songs.

However, this song is built to make it to the left side of the column of the night of the Eurovision final and I don't expect it to do anything less.  It doesn't mean I have to enjoy it.

Eurovision 2015: San Marino

Here's San Marino!

For the first time in four years, there's a new singer for San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest--or should I say singers.

Michele Perniola and Anita Simoncini   "Chain of Lights"

Perniola and Simoncini have both represented San Marino at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and the San Marinese broadcaster SMRTV put them together for this duet.

They're two game young people, and they do their best with the song.  

However, the song is a mess both musically and lyrically and has no chance to make it out of the semifinal.

Maybe they'll make it after two more attempts (or they can get a lyricist to pen words that make sense to a Ralph Siegel tune.)

Eurovision 2015: Armenia

In the years of 1915 and 1916, between a million and a million and a half ethnic Armenians were either killed or forced out of the country of Turkey due to a systematic policy set forth by the Ottoman government at the time.

At least I didn't post up any pictures of dead bodies.

This historical event, rightly called a genocide, is the event that has shaped the Armenian identity ever since and has been a reoccurring theme in Armenian entries in the Eurovision Song Contest.

However, this year, they are commemorating (if that is the proper term) the 100th anniversary of the event by forming a supergroup of singers from the Armenian diaspora.  

Thus we have this song:

Geneology   "Don't Deny"

Yep.  It's overwrought and overtly political.   Kind of perfect for a Eurovision commemoration of a horrible historical event.

As for its chances in Vienna, I'm not convinced by the song.  We have six rather talented singers all vying for focus in this song, and although everything blends well in the video, I'm not sure how it's going to do live.

If it works, it's going to be fantastic.  If we have a lot of off-key harmonizing, it's going to be a train wreck.  Which could be fantastic too...

Eurovision 2015: Serbia

After watching a number of national finals where the shows are overlong and full of rather disappointing songs, I have to give kudos to RTS, the Serbian national broadcaster.   The final night of "Odbrojavanje za Beč" was nearly perfect.

Any of the three of these singers would have been a good pick.

Three talented singers performed three quality songs and the jury and televoters chose the best of the three songs.

Aleksa Jelić   "Vodi Me"

Danica Krstić   "Suze za kraj"

In any other year, Krstić or Jelić  would have been a great choice for Serbia, but there was no chance for them once the last singer finished her song.

Bojana Stamenov  "Ceo svet je moj"

Lights!  Color!   Drama!  Dancers!  Costume change!

Yeah, it does all the typical gimmicks that Eurovision songs supposedly do, but in a year where everything seems to be so serious, this Balkany dance number is a delight--a bit of sorbet among the musical equivalent of kale salad.

I'm a fan.   Go Bojana!

Eurovision 2015: Switzerland

Well, the last songs for this year's Eurovision are being chosen and released right now, but instead of taking a look at the newest songs, I'm going back to a song that was settled a while ago.

Switzerland tends to choose their song early, and the final, "ESC 2015--Die Grosse Entscheidungsshow" took place back on January 31st.

I wish I could say that I found the show exciting with a bunch of worthy songs, but the entire show seemed rather amateurish, with none of the six finalists setting the stage on fire.

Deborah Bough    "Take Me Back To 23"

Tiziana   "Only Human"

After the show was over, the Swiss public and jury selected the Mauritian-Swiss singer Mélanie René.

Mélanie René   "Time To Shine"

In a weak final, this rather average ballad was the winner.   Although I know there has been tinkering with the song and performance since the final, I don't think this will make it to the final.   

"Time to Shine" is a generic ballad that sounds like twenty other ballads that have been performed at Eurovision, and unless you have a lot of friendly countries that share the same musical tastes, the song and performance is going to be forgotten. 

The only way Switzerland can make it to the final they send something unique, so all I can say is better luck next year.

Eurovision 2015: The United Kingdom

I'm going to up to date for once on a son.  The British entry was announced just a few hours ago and I've finally had a chance to sit down and watch it.

The BBC has decided to go for an internal selection yet again, and they've chosen an unknown group to represent them in Vienna.

Electro Velvet   "Still In Love" 

Gotta admit, on first blush I think it's the best song the UK has selected in a long time.  It's a genre of music new to me called "electroswing".   It's memorable, catchy, and a hell of a lot of fun.   Isn't that what you want in a Eurovision song?

The only thing I have reservations about is if it will be well performed live...   A video can't provide you knowledge of that.

Here's hoping they can put on a show and get a good result.

Eurovision 2015: Italy

Ladies and Gentlemen:  Popera!

You would think I would like operatic pop.   I have a love of all things over the top, dramatic, and unintentionally cheesy.

But no, I have always found it extremely annoying and overpraised.

So take a listen to Italy's winner of the San Remo Festival Song Festival and selection for Eurovision.

Il Volo   "Grande Amore"

It's slick, they're handsome, and it's going to be a top five placement in the finals.

I hope they suck live.

Eurovision 2015: France

All French chanson singers aspire to the heights of Piaf.

France has decided to go old school this year at Eurovision by sending a classically trained chanson singer to Vienna.

Lisa Angell   "N'oubliez pas" 

The song was first performed at a concert commemorating the centenary of the First World War and specifically was meant to invoke the memory of that time period.

In other words it doesn't sound like a traditional Eurovision song and because of that I wasn't expecting much from "N'oubliez pas".

Yeah, you know what's coming next.   I love the song.   It does evoke the "classy" early years of the contest, and Angell is quite a performer.

My only quibble with the song is that she doesn't have the connection with the camera.  Angell performed the song to the audience.  While that means she got a wonderful reaction, the song falls a bit flat on the screen.

However, with a little work and a good placing on the final, I could see Angell getting a respectable result on the scoreboard.   It's not a winning song, but it is one that has the potential to get votes.  It's something you can't say with many of the French entries in past years. 

Eurovision 2015: Finland

Every year a country makes a choice less on the musical ability of the performer and more on the backstory.

This year, Finland's entry is the that entry.

Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät   "Aina mun pitää"

I have mad respect for the four gentlemen in this group.  This band formed back in 2009 and has been releasing singles and albums ever since.   The fact that they have Downs Syndrome and autism makes them much more intriguing and their accomplishments even more sweet.

However, this song isn't likely to get out of the semifinal based on this performance.

Punk isn't a musical style that hasn't really shown up at Eurovision, and although "Aina mun pitää" is going to be the shortest song ever performed onstage at a contest, this song dragged during the national final.   Because of that, I fear it's not memorable enough on its own to connect to the television viewers.

And trust me, there were a lot of songs that had that connected.

Satin Circus   "Crossroads"

This could have been a top 10 finish.  (Although Satin Circus is perhaps the dumbest band name I've heard in a while.)

Opera Skaala   "Heart of Light"

Crazy song but she's an impressive coloratura.

And my personal favorite:

Shava   "Ostrailla"

I love bhangra, so I'm predisposed to it (even though I couldn't find a clip from the UMK final).

That said, I could be completely wrong about Finland's song.  Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät is going to be the story of this Eurovision Song Contest and they could use that press to become a contender...

Eurovision 2015: Ireland

Ireland, you finally got it right!   You put on a classy national final with intelligent, honest commentators, good songs, and a straightforward selection process.

Can we please have more Panti Bliss?  She was smart, honest, and intelligent.

RTE used their flagship late night show  "The Late Late Show" to choose the song to send to Vienna, and although five songs competed, it was really a two song race.

Kat Mahon   "Anybody Got A Shoulder"

Molly Sterling   "Playing With Numbers"

And after some tight voting, Stirling's song won.  And it's a good choice.  "Playing With Numbers" is a nice little bit of art pop--a la Kate Bush or Tori Amos.   It's perhaps the best song they've sent in about ten years and it's got a great chance to get out of the semifinal.

However, for me, "Anybody Got A Shoulder" is more memorable because of Kat Mahon's performance.   Her clear diction and interpretation made a mediocre song into an earworm that I've been singing ever since.   (Now off to find some more Kat Mahon songs on Spotify.)

Keep up the good work, Ireland.

Eurovision 2015: Cyprus

I'm always excited to have a country return to the Eurovision fold, and it's nice that Cyprus has returned after a one year absence due to financial constraints.

The Cypriot national broadcaster put on a multi-week program, The Eurovision Song Project, to select their song and singer.  The selection process culminated on February 1st, where the six survivors of previous weeks competed to go to Vienna.

What I'm disappointed in is the singer they selected and song they selected.

Giannis Karagiannis   "One Thing I Should Have Done"

I get why this won the television vote.  Karagiannis is a cute little hipster boy that can appeal to the twin demographic of teenage girls and gay men.   

I just can't see this getting out of the semifinal.  I think his looks and styling played a big part in his win, not actual quality in song or performance.   

But really, most of the songs in the final were disappointing and unlikely to light up the stage in Vienna.   Only one of the six finalists had a spark that could have potentially made an impact.

Minus One   "Shine"

Even though is had the cliched title "Shine", Minus One gave the only performance that felt more the rather skilled karaoke.  They're actual performers not wannabe performers.

All in all a lackluster winner from a lackluster final.   Good luck next year, Cyprus.