Eurovision 2015: Austria

I'm getting to the end of my national final reviews, and now I'm getting to the host country.  Austria is hosting Eurovision this year after the win of Conchita Wurst (as if you didn't already know that).

Conchita Wurst   "Rise Like A Phoenix"   2014

And now ÖRF, the Austrian broadcaster, has to do the delicate dance of selecting a song to represent them on home soil.

It's generally assumed that the host country doesn't want to host Eurovision two years in a row.  Although every country taking part in the contest gives money to the EBU for the right to participate and broadcast the contest, it costs millions of euros to put on the show.   It's currently estimated that Austria has spent 35 million euros on this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

In response to this, the host country selects a middle of the road song that is going to be respected but not going to light the light on fire.

And this year, Austria has chosen the perfect song to do just that.

The Makemakes   "I Am Yours"

The Makemakes have been somewhat successful in their home country, with a couple of Top 40 singles and a forthcoming album.  They're competent musicians, and their performance is spot on.   

Besides, it's the perfect example of a safe home crowd song--it's three minute aural blanket.   Nobody is going to say bad things about it, but it's also not going to get anywhere near the top of the scoreboard.

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That said, I kind of with that the Austrian public had gone completely left field with their choice and selected the song that came in fifth:

Johann Sebastian Bass   "Absolutio"

The well performed insanity of Johann Sebastian Bass, a "electrorococo" band, would have put on a great show and would have been a memorable part of the sixtieth Eurovision Song Contest--going down with acts like Telex and Gypsy.cz

Yeah, it means they would have likely come in last.  But in a year of utterly safe songs, a bit of color would make things fun.

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: 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: 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.

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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 2014: Sweden

Melodifestivalen...

For watchers of national finals, Sweden's national Eurovision selection process is the be all and end all.   The final, held on March 8th, was a show that pretty much delivered on all levels--strong songs, quality production values, and a nail-biting voting process.

For Eurovision lovers, there was something for everybody.

The Swedish take on Henry Rollins:

Linus Svenning  "Broeder"

A former Eurovision winner:

Helena Paparizou  "Survivor"

And sparkly man pants:

Alcazar  "Blame It On The Disco"  

And had they been performed in another country, those three songs would have been sure winners.  But it's Melodifestivalen, so they were some of the also-rans.

A strong ballad with a little vocal ornamentation trumped all the bells and whistles in the other songs.   Seventh time's the charm for Nielsen, who has been attempting to represent Sweden at Eurovision since 2001.

Sanna Nielsen  "Undo"

Annia W., my favorite Swede, agrees with the result.  She texted me after the contest telling me "the best song won".

Usually Annia and I are simpatico when it comes to Melodifestivalen, but this year I have to disagree.  The song I would have voted for was this number.

Panetoz  "Efter solsken"

I must confess a personal preference for Afropop, and this song was very well performed.  I would have voted for it, knowing it would have not likely not gone anywhere.

And it didn't.  It came in ninth out of ten songs in the final.

But even so, I still don't think "Undo" would have been the most successful of the Swedish choices come Eurovision time. 

Ace Wilder   "Busy Doin' Nothin'"

Wilder came in second at the end of the final, losing to Nielsen by only two points and is by far the more memorable song.   It's immediately infectious and unforgettable, while Nielsen's song is very nice.  In fact, the Swedish pop charts agree with me.  "Busy Doin" Nothing" is number one while "Undo" is number two.

But I'm sure that Sweden's going to sail through the semifinal and have another successful finish.  "Undo" is likely to make a top 10 finish, and not let Swedes down.

Eurovision 2014: Armenia

Every year there's the song that's touted as the front runner. This year the song from Armenia is "that" song.  Take a listen.

Aram Mp3  "Not Alone"

I may be damming this song with faint praise, but I must say "Not Alone" is very polished and very professionally produced.  I'll also say that Aram Mp3 is a competent singer and the song is well suited to his voice.

Yet the song doesn't linger after listening to it.  Nothing makes me want to listen to either the song or the singer again, making the love that is being show for it mystifying.

It's the same argument I had with the Danish entry last year, which was pegged to win when it came out fo Dansk Grand Prix and stormed to victory in Malmö. 

 Emmilie de Forest  "Only Teardrops"  Denmark  2013

Although the songs are very different, both of them have the same level of polish and professionalism.   They're songs that are calculated to appeal to the widest possible swath of people.  They're songs tailored to win the contest.

Because of that, the songs themselves are completely bland.  Instead of being something that will make a lasting impression, they hit immediately.  

"Not Alone" could very well win the contest, but it's not one that will make any impression on the European musical landscape or have any sort of afterlife once the Contest is over. 

Eurovision 2014: Austria

Austria was very unique in their approach to Eurovision this year.  Instead of a national final or a surprise announcement of performer, The Austrian broadcaster, ORF, announce their performer--Conchita Wurst--back in September of last year.

Yet the song, "Rise Like A Phoenix", was one of the last songs presented--announced just a few weeks ago on March 18th.

The process in announcing their choices was intriguing, but then again, Conchita Wurst is an intriguing performer.

Conchita Wurst is the drag persona of Tom Neuwirth.  Wurst  came to national prominence after her second place finish in the 2011 Austrian national finals and has parlayed that success into becoming a minor celebrity in her home country, appearing on reality television shows like "The Hardest Jobs In Austria".  

Conchita Wurst   "Rise Like A Phoenix"

Wurst is serving some Shirley Bassey realness, and in my mind it's the best kind of realness to be served.  Instead of the typical Bond-lite songs that come to Eurovision, this sounds like it could be the anthem of the next Bond movie.

And Wurst knocks it out of the park with both the vocals and the performance.  It's one of my two favorite songs in this contest.

But whether it will do well has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of either the song and performance.  It's going to depend on how people across Europe respond to Ms. Wurst herself.

Neuwirth created Conchita Wurst--a bearded lady--as a statement against the discrimination he faced in his teenage years.  Wurst is a symbol for equality for all people--no matter their gender or sexual orientation--and that sort of freedom is not allowed in the many countries that take part in the Eurovision Song Contest.  That up front statement could potentially be a turnoff to those who don't agree with Ms. Wurst's beliefs.

It's going to be one of the suspenseful parts of Eurovision this year and I can't wait.

Eurovision 2014: United Kingdom

I have to say good on the BBC for actually deciding to change up their process for selecting a song to go to Eurovision.

Instead of selecting a previously successful act to represent them--like Blue, Bonnie Tyler, or Englebert Humperdink--the BBC is sending a relatively unknown singer to Copenhagen to represent the hopes of a country hungry for another Eurovision win.

Molly   "Children of the Universe"

I have to say that whomever planned this presentation was smart.  Having Molly present the song live in front of an audience, putting to rest the off key performances of the past few years was smart.  Because of their live presentation, "Children of The Universe" has a buzz that the UK's past few entries haven't had.

I'd be on board with the buzz, but I am not one of those people who loves the song.  Why?  The lyrics are heavy handed and insipid.  Here's a bit of the song:

We're shining like diamonds/

With love in our hearts/

They said it's the end but I've a feeling/ 

It might just be the start/

As I am awakened with fire in my bones/

Standing beside you I've a feeling that I'll never walk alone

The lyrics seem to be pulled from and emo girl's AP English poetry assignment and not from a seasoned singer/songwriter.  I can't listen to this song without focusing on the lousy lyrics.

Will it do well for the UK.  Yes.  They're going to have a better result than they did for the past few years.  Will it win?  Probably not.

Eurovision 2014: Ireland

If you want to ever watch live television become a train wreck, I highly recommend you watch the Irish selection process--Eurosong 2014.  Eurosong 2014 was part of RTE's Late, Late Show and was broadcast back on February 28th.



Sadly, instead of the focus being on the songs and performances, the focus was more on the "mentors"--the people who selected the songs to be performed and the panelists.

Yes, the professionalism among Ireland's musical promoting community is on show here.   Honestly the behavior of Billy McGuinness, Linda Martin, and Louis Walsh was rather appalling.

And while they weren't squabbling among themselves, the panelists were bemoaning the fact Ireland doesn't win and has to fight in the semifinals.  I would concede that point to the panelists had Ireland sent songs over the past ten years that were actually worthy of being in the finals in Eurovision.  That hasn't happened.  They've been passable at best and mediocre at worst.   This year is no exception.

Out of the five songs performed, only one of them felt like it was Eurovision worthy:

Laura O'Neill  "You Don't Remember Me"

(Sadly, I can't find the actual performance, which she did right after the bickering above.)

It's completely an Adele knockoff, but Adele is huge throughout Europe and O'Neill could have capitalized on that fact.

Instead the Irish public chose this song.

Can-Linn featuring Kasey Smith   "Heartbeat"

This song is so generic that it is forgettable even when they throw everything Irish at it.  I'm surprised they didn't throw in a leprechaun drinking a pint of Guinness while driving snakes off the stage.

And that's Ireland's problem when they have gone to Eurovision as of late.  It's an expectation that the countries are going to respond to mediocre songs sent by RTE just because they're Irish.  It worked 20 years ago, but it's no longer the 1990s and Ireland has to step up their game considerably if they actually want to win the Eurovision Song Contest again.

Hopefully the train wreck that was this year's Eurosong will make Ireland do a rethink of their entire selection process--and bringing better, more commercial songs to Eurovision and bringing them a bit of Ireland's past glory.

Eurovision 2014: Poland

Welcome back Poland!

After a two year absence, Poland has decided to enter Eurovision again.  Happily, they've brought a song that I like quite a bit.

Donatan and Cleo   "My Słowianie"

This rap/folk hybrid is really infectious and entertaining as hell.  I look forward to blasting this from my car radio while driving around town--which gives it bonus points in my book.

Yet for all of my personal cheer-leading, I can see this suffering from the same fate the coolest song from last year's contest.

Who See  "Ingranka"  Montenegro 2013

Who See's rapping was on point and the stage show was fantastic, but it was just a little too "out there" for many of the viewers and went nowhere--coming in twelfth in the semifinal.

I predict that the same thing will happen with "My Słowianie".  It doesn't deserve that fate, but it's just the nature of Eurovision.  It's supposedly looking for something modern but tends to go for safe and recognizable.

Here's hoping that coolness will prevail and Poland makes the finals.

Eurovision 2014: Ukraine

The one thing that I love about watching national finals is that they are typically fun, with a lot of interesting songs, cool production values, and a whole lot of national pride.

Ukraine's national final took place back on December 21st, and in my eyes, Ukraine's final is usually a surefire winner.  Typically there are a lot of interesting songs and a performer that strikes my fancy.  But not this year.   Instead of a fun show with lots of possible contenders, this year's national final felt like a coronation for this song and performer:

Maria Yaremchuk  "Tick-Tock"

The presentation of the song was rather appalling, but in my eyes it was the only song that could actually make an impact in Copenhagen.   There were 19 other songs and none of them actually stuck in my ear.

But never fear, even if you didn't like the presentation in the national final, the Ukrainians are working on it.

Like usual, the song has been tinkered with and is looking much more appealing than it was.  I predict another high placement for Ukraine.

Eurovision 2014: Finland

Thanks to eurovision.tv, the official web site for the Eurovision Song Contest, I'm able to view many of the national finals in their entirety, and last night's viewing was the Finnish national final, Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu.

Finland has used UMK for the past three years to choose their song to send, and after a three show preliminary, the final was broadcast on February 1st.

Watching Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, the Finnish national final, I feel like I've been sucked into a world where things don't make much sense, starting off with the opening number.

It's like a black comedy version of an Olympic opening number--colorful, confusing, and really foreign.  It's not bad--just very Finnish.

The songs were confounding as well.  I still can't figure out why some of these songs were in the final of the Finnish national final.

MadCraft  "Shining Bright"

I hadn't realized that skater culture had a following in Finland, and MadCraft is aping the look and feel of skater punk bands like Blink-182.

Nor had I realized that punk girl groups were still alive in Finland.

MIAU  "God/Drug"

Hukka ja Mama  "Selja"

And I have no clue what this is--Finnish folk country?  Or just the song to accompany one of my pizza induced dreams...

But when all was said and done, the Finnish jury and public chose the most commercial song in the finals

Softengine  "Something Better"

It's a rock song that doesn't sound dissimilar to something Coldplay or U2 might have performed about five years ago and feels very much like this song from the 2011 contest.

A Friend in London  "New Tomorrow"  Denmark 2011

Denmark did quite well with their rock anthem, coming in fifth back in 2011, and Finland has a chance to do the same with Softengine.

The only thing they need to work on is their performance.  There's a lack of energy in "Something Better" that makes the song feel generic.  With a little bit of work on the presentation of the song, I could see this finishing quite well on the night of the finals.

Eurovision 2014: the Netherlands



The Common Linnets were chosen internally by the Dutch national broadcaster.  Ilse deLange, one of the two singers in The Common Linnets, is an extremely successful musician in her own country--with seven platinum albums and numerous national music awards.

So with the success of Anouk last year, it's unsurprising that deLange was picked to carry the national colors in Copenhagen. 

The Common Linnets  "Calm After The Storm"

I desperately want to like this song.  DeLange and her singing partner Waylon are both seasoned performers and their voices blend well.   It's really obvious in this live performance.

It's just not the right song for Eurovision.  It's going to be great when I have to drive across North Dakota in a few months, but it's going to disappear come the semifinal time.

Eurovision 2014: Belarus

If you're looking for a microcosm of the past 10 years of Eurovision, the best place to do that is watch this year's Belorussian national final.

The final, which took place on January 10th featured fourteen different acts--including a cabaret number, a bit of popera, the required melodramatic ballad, and the following song that asks a very important question:

Matvei Cooper and DUX   "Strippers"

I have often wondered myself, "Where do all the strippers go?"   I'm just so glad that Cooper and company was able to answer that question in song.



But none of those songs made it to the top at the end of the show.  When the votes were counted, two songs tied with 20 points.

TEO  "Cheesecake"

 

Max Lorens and DiDyuLya  "Now You're Gone"

But the jury had the final decision and selected "Cheesecake"--their favorite--over the Caribbean stylings of "Now You're Gone".

I personally like the song, it feels like a reject from a Robin Thicke album to me, and the veneer of sleaze that TEO has on stage suits the song quite well.  Although unpopular with many fans online, who consistently rank it in the bottom of their favorites, I have to say that this song is in the top ten of mine.

If TEO can stay on pitch, he's likely to make the final this Eurovision season.



Eurovsion 2014: Belgium

Now that all the national finals have been decided and all the participating songs have been finalized, it's time for me to get cracking on reviewing the songs that have made it farther than the others and have a chance to make the national finals.

First up is Belgium, which chose their entrant just a few days ago, on March 16th.

Instead of the internal selection that Belgium's television providers have done in the past few years, Flemish broadcaster VRT decided to put on a national selection process--Eurosong 2014--where 30 performers were whittled down to six who performed on the final night.

In my mind, the Belgian public chose the best song for success in Copenhangen:

 

Alex Hirsoux  "Mother"

 

The song may be as sweet an syrupy as fructose corn syrup--"Mother" feels like is was written by the Andrew Lloyd Wright factory.  But Hirsoux genuinely believes the song and the sentiment involved and breathes more life into the song than it deserves.  It's no wonder that he won 57% of the popular vote.

 

Besides, he won me over with his reaction to the voting. He was genuinely shocked when the votes came his way.

 

It's understandable, because if you judged the hall, this song would have won.

 

 

Bandits  "One"

 

Wherever there are boy bands, there will be loads of screaming girls.   I would have been on board had their performance not been so weak.  (And I seriously covet the lead singers brick red suit.)

 

It was a pretty good show and was well worth the watch.  Here's hoping Belgium can make it two in a row and make it to the finals again this year.