April 1, 200817 yr Author The last really good Dutch entry was in 2003 and even that wasn't a groundbreaking song...I believe I voted for it though!
April 13, 200817 yr Author Portugal: Vania Fernandes - Senhora Do Mar Portugal must have replaced Finland now as the perennial losers of the Eurovision...one of the oldest competing countries, they only have one neighbouring country, Spain. They usually stay true to their native tongue and 2008 is no exception with female singer Vania singing in Portugese this year...after coming painfully close to qualifying last year with the uptempo Dance Comigo, Portugal have slowed it right down this year with a dramatic ballad. Vania's going last in the second semi final, and it will be quite a powerful way to finish...its very Disney-ish in many ways and wouldn't be out of place in a film like Beauty and the Beast, especially with the backing vocalists chants...if it doesn't get the public vote it could get the jury vote if Switzerland make it through the televote... Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAUQLoYWra4 Semi-Final Prediction: 9th or jury vote Final Prediction (if it makes it): 15th
April 13, 200817 yr Author Andorra: Gisela - Casanova One of the first songs to be chosen for this year's contest, Andorra have replaced the pop punk sound of last year (which almost got them into the final for the first time) with a Schlager pop sound more expected from Sweden. The song itself is good, though I can't bring myself to rave over it at the moment, perhaps because there is no high quality version of the song yet (that I'm aware of) or because there is no national final performance of the song, as it was selected internally...its a good enough song, but with a lack of 'friends' and the Kate Ryan/DJ Bobo/Selma fun Europop sound, it could be cursed and will probably miss the final... Youtube Link: Semi-Final Prediction: 13th Final Prediction (if it makes it): 19th
April 13, 200817 yr Author Ukraine: Ani Lorak - Shady Lady Here's a country that know what they're doing! Winning in 2004 and finishing 2nd last year, Ukraine are no strangers to success due largely to 1) knowing how to pick a good pop song and 2) having loads of neighbours who are willing to give them points! Shady Lady is actually a really good pop song...not quite as typical schlager as Andorra, it seems to progress the schlager sound into 2008 a bit more and also sounds like a Ukranian song with traditional folk influences in the background. This is incredibly well fancied with bookies who are expecting a top 5 finish at the very least...I'm not so sure that it will do anywhere near that well but top 10 is practically guaranteed... Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gol8uV-d3xs Semi-Final Prediction: 2nd Final Prediction (if it makes it): 6th
April 13, 200817 yr Author Sweden: Charlotte Perrelli - Hero It's schlager review today! The queen of schlager, Charlotte Perrelli (nee Nilsson) won Eurovision in 1999 with the Abba-esque Take Me To Your Heaven, though Selma deserved the victory really...for me Hero is a much stronger song. Sweden picked it last month in a quite frankly amazing selection, Melodifestivalen 2008 and she beat brilliant pop songs from BWO, Sanna Nielsen, Sibel and Rongedal to name a few...this song has every ingredient needed for Sweden to resume their favourite position of fifth after the failure of The Ark last year...a catchy pop song, an incredibly strong live singer, guaranteed huge points from most western and some eastern countries, a key change...one of the best songs of this year and the overwhelming fan favourite it would seem... Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MINqZpRHB8c Semi-Final Prediction: 1st Final Prediction (if it makes it): 5th
April 13, 200817 yr Good stuff again Rich. :D I agree mostly, but I can see Ukraine finishing in the top five for sure! It's a shame that Andorra probably won't qualify, but yeah with a better MP3 of it it would probably sound a lot better. I only have that low quality one too.
April 13, 200817 yr Author Well, 5th/6th for Ukraine then...either way I think they will finish next to Sweden :P
April 14, 200817 yr I've got a dvd with all 43 countries on it. I'm loving watching it. I'm blown away by both Switzerland and Sweden and think either of them could win it. However, the song I most love at the moment is BOSNIA. It is absolutely amazing.
April 14, 200817 yr Author Switzerland/Sweden would be my ideal top 2, shame it won't happen as these countries are both in Western Europe...
April 14, 200817 yr Moldova: Geta Berlacu - A Century Of Love You have to wonder what the national final was like if the public of Moldova sent this to represent them. Well with the Moldavian public it was only about 4th in the televoting, but it was the resounding favourite with the juries, and so, it was chosen. Very bad decision I think, but it does make me wonder whether it is the kind of song a jury could go for, and whether it will pick up the jury vote in the semi...Surprise qualifier 2008?
April 14, 200817 yr Author hopefully not, but Moldova have had a good run of success so far so you never know...
April 15, 200817 yr Author Georgia: Diana Gurtskaya - Peace Will Come After a respectable Bjork like debut last year with Sopho's eccentric pop song, this safe pop-rock by numbers is reminicscent of Russia and Germany's ok but formulaic 2005 entries. Diana's not a great singer, the song's not overly memorable and it doesn't scream huge success to me. It's in the strong second semi final and considering Georgia got through the semi last year when there was far less chance of doing so, I wouldn't be surprised if this weak song got through...it would have to come 9th or above though because there's no way it would get the jury vote... Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBOWvNkuC_c Semi-Final Prediction: 9th-11th Final Prediction (if it makes it): 16th
April 15, 200817 yr Author Spain: Rodolfo Chikilicuatre - Baila el ChikiChiki One of the year's countless novelty entrants, Spain have selected plastic haired Rodolfo's awful cod-reggaeton song that sounds like Daddy Yankee's Gasolina...Spain have done awfully along with the rest of the big 4 in the last five years and its hard to tell how this will do. Its certainly one of the most hyped songs on the internet along with Ireland, and if anyone has to get the 'Alf Poier idiot vote', Rodolfo is a worthy candidate...or of course if Europe don't get it, it could come in the bottom 4, but who can tell what the public mood will be on May 24th? Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHtvgtKb1Hg Semi-Final Prediction: N/A Final Prediction (if it makes it): 7th
April 15, 200817 yr Author Norway: Maria Haukaas Storeng - Hold On Be Strong Bless them, before the 'Big 4' started to hog the bottom 4 spots year after year, Norway were almost always a tie in for last place, with their last bottom place coming in 2004...Maria is from Norway's version of Pop Idol a few years ago (aren't they all) and this song has already topped the charts in her home country. In all fairness, it is a highly contemporary and absolutely excellent song which could be a hit single for someone like Duffy or Amy Winehouse if the lyrics were improved. A powerful mid-tempo ballad sung by an attractive singer with an excellent live voice...its highly doubtful that it will pick up the ballad vote over Serbia (again) or Switzerland, if they all make it to the final that is. I can see this coming 8th or 9th in the public vote in its semi, and if not then surely the juries will save it!?! Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLbWak32QEI Semi-Final Prediction: 8th-10th Final Prediction (if it makes it): 17th
April 17, 200817 yr Author Bulgaria: Deep Zone and Balthazar - DJ, Take Me Away Over to Bulgaria who had their first truly brilliant song last year with Elitsa & Stoyan's Water...they seem to be on something of a roll now because this is their second good song. Nowhere near as 'wordly' as its predecessor, this is a bit like Bomfunk MC's meets Romania 2005. The song's a bit odd as it the vocalist doesn't start until a minute into the song, before which we are treated to record scratching, beat boxing and beats which sound ten years old. Regardless, this is a good song from a country who will pick up a lot of support and I think it could well finish third behind Sweden and Ukraine in the second semi final...top ten for a second year in the final is not out of the equation either! Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg3gbvBqi1A Semi-Final Prediction: 3rd Final Prediction (if it makes it): 7th-9th
April 17, 200817 yr Author Montenegro: Stefan Filipovic - Zauvijek Volim Te The song I was least looking forward to review if I'm honest. Croatia and Estonia are awful but Montenegro might as well stop turning up. They failed to qualify with an awful dad rock song last year and I can't see them gaining any support with this similar blandfest. The singer isn't exactly going to win the ladies' vote and he can't dance to save his life. A terrible song with an awful melody and an awful singer. One thing it does prove is that even your loyal neighbours won't vote for a song if its truly, truly awful, and as neighbouring country Serbia won easily last year and Montenegro failed to even qualify, it speaks volumes about the gulf in song quality, and unfortunately for Montenegro, the same can be said about this year... Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm0pHt6q_fE Semi-Final Prediction: 17th Final Prediction (if it makes it): 23rd
April 17, 200817 yr Author Iceland: Eurobandid - This Is My Life The big fat Buzzjack favourite! Iceland haven't had much luck since 2003's excellent opening song by Birgitta. After a bland ballad, an amazing non-qualifier from Selma, the funny but annoying Silvia Night in 2006 and the weird old man rock of last year, Iceland appear to have stormed back to form with a rather brilliant eurodance song. The vocals are spot on, the song is brilliant and now has an excellent introduction thanks to the new version. If there's any justice it will come top 5 in its semi and top 10 in the final but if the eastern European domination continues it could fall flat on its face with the dance song vote going to Bulgaria... Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3xwlTuea6I Semi-Final Prediction: 4th Final Prediction (if it makes it): 9th-11th
April 17, 200817 yr That Bulgarian song is $h!t. I thought it was ok at first, but Iceland pisses all over it completely. I think both will qualify for the final though, with Iceland bombing when they get there and Bulgaria doing pretty well... -_-
April 17, 200817 yr Author Bulgaria's song is a bit over the top, a bit too much going on in it at once...I've seen the error of my ways and Iceland is climbing my current rankings list while Bulgaria is plummeting...I do still like both songs though but think Bulgaria will do better due to political voting
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