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.