Eurovision 2005: early handicapping for the semi-final

[jawnbc]

We still don’t know three of the songs (Belgium, Iceland & Portugal), but 37 of 40 is enough for me. For those unfamiliar, there will be (again) a semi-final of 26 entries on 19 May. 10 of those songs will join 14 others that pre-qualified (through a top 10 finish, or being one of the big 4: UK, Germany, Spain, France) for the final on 21 May.

Andorra Marian van de Wal La mirada interior: Average song, woodenly delivered, even with roll-over support from France and Spain, it won’t make the final

Austria Global.kryner Y así: Yet another faux latin track. Won’t make the final

Bulgaria Kaffe Lorrain: tepid, MOR,languid, going nowhere. Won’t make the final

Belarus Angelica Argubash Boys & Girls: My dark horse pick to make the final. This is intense, dark, and she’s gorgeoous and freaky--should get enough attention for those alone. Apparently she’s thinking of changing to a different song--that would be a mistake, based on what the others sound like.

Switzerland Vanilla Ninja Cool Vibes: Will make the final unless they stuff it up live. Great sound, makes a memorable first impression. Switzerland, clearly, wants to win the 50th contest (they won the first one, after all).

Denmark Jacob Sveistrup Tænder på dig: This should qualify, so long as they don’t over-choreograph it like last year. And they should leave it in Danish: it sounds sexy, but it’s got a great beat to it. And he can sing live. I actually think this could win.

Finland Geir Rönning Why: OK they didn’t send another tango (yay!), but they’ve fallen into the Nordic “life sucks let’s all die” lyric morass. May qualify based on the strength of the singer, but probably not.

Croatia Boris Novkovic Vukovic umiru sami: Only a 1 minute sample available, but it’s a straightforward pop/folk track, sung well. Combined with regional support, this should qualify for the final.

Hungary NOX Forogj világ: I don’t like it, it’s not original. But I kinda want them to qualify so they don’t disappear for another 10 years. But I don’t think it will (sorry aadroma)

Ireland Donna & Joseph Mc Caul Love?: Dislike. OK song, decent singers, amateurish performers. And has a person wearing glasses ever won Eurovision (Nana Mouskouri finished 6th)? Please pay Andrea Corr whatever it takes to go next year . . .

Israel Shiri Mayon Hasheket shenish’ar: After some wonky entries, finally a good pop track again from Israel. Should qualify for final. Very polished sound.

Iceland Selma If I had your love: ?????

Lebanon Aline Lahoud Quand tout s’enfuit: Welcome to Eurovison Lebanon, go directly to final. Great song, great singer, could actually win it all.

Lithuania Laura & The Lovers Little by Little: they went for a ringer, but faux ABBA Swedish pop just doesn’t stand out these days. Not the worst, but probably won’t qualify.

Latvia Walters & Kazha The war is not over: more Swedepop, with more pessimistic lyrics. Could qualify, but really shouldn’t. Last year in Istanbul the head of the Latvian delegation was despairing of their result. Then try something different.

Moldova Zdob si Zdub Bunica bate toba: Literally “Grandma plays the drums”, it’s quirky enough and fun enough to qualify. Poor Moldova, they jumped into Eurovison after the success of O-Zone and Dragostea Din Tei. Except they split up.

Monaco Lise Darly Tout de moi: Only snippets available, but doesn’t sound very interesting. Won’t qualify.

FYR Macedonia Martin Vucic Ti si son: I really, like the track, but the live performance is boring. Tart it up a bit and this could win the whole thing. It’s been like 30 years since a “la la” won--but the tune and beat totally rawq.

Netherlands Glennis Grace My impossible dream: a good song, a great singer, a power ballad = easy qualification for the final. In fact I predict top 5 overall.

Norway Wig Wam In my dreams: Bon Jovi in glam rock drag. May qualify, thanks to the 9 year old vote.

Poland Ivan and Delfin Czarna Dziewczyna: my pick for worst song of 2005. Ew.

Romania Luminita Anghel & Sistem Let me try: Catchy, if the performance is memorable, should qualify.

Slovenia Omar Naber Stop: He’s kinda cute, and it’s kinda an OK song, but pretty flat. Won’t qualify.

Summary:

Qualify for final: Switzerland, Denmark, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Moldova, Netherlands, Israel, Lebanon

Marginal, may qualify: Romania, Norway, Latvia

Wild card: Iceland

Comments

[epinoid.livejournal.com]

You have me addicted now - gosh durnit. I managed to pick up last years compilation too.

Thanks!

[jawnbc]

excellent!

[iberianbear.livejournal.com]

MMmmm.. I actually like the Polish entry, sounds folkloric to me! and I love folklore.

[jawnbc]

I tend to like folkloric music too. But this one--complete with Ukrainian and Russian lyrics apparently--just strikes me as vote whoring.

I remember when vote whoring meant sending a 2m tall blonde bombshell--the golden age of ESC ;)

[sfbritskin.livejournal.com]

I like the Macedonia tune as well, and agree it could win if they fix their performance.
I must figure a way of seeing the Eurovision this year... No one has really heard of it in the US.

[jawnbc]

if you've not met, introduce yourself to iberianbear (see above). He hosted a party in SF last year (either one of the spanish or israeli networks broadcasted it...

[perkk.livejournal.com]

Catching up on my backlog. In the order I listened to them. Keeping in mind, I am so far from expert in these things that to call me a novice might be an insult to the find individuals who call such a class their own.

• SLO - Nice. Once or twice I thought I actually picked up an occasional word from the Russian I studied back in High School.
  
  
• ROM - I like. Might be too cerebral, but pining is good with pop, as long as it's not tragic.
  
  
• POL - As soon as I heard it, I could place it's nationality. Funny that. Gets better with lots of beer I suspect.
  
  
• NOR - Bon Jovi? I thought more of Quite Riot's "Cum On Feel The Noise (http://www2.uol.com.br/cante/lyrics/Quiet_Riot_-_Cum_on_feel_the_noise.htm)", which is not a bad descriptor. Nice construction, but not my first choice of style.
  
  
• NET - Very nice! Torch!
  
  
• MAC - I like this one a lot too. Makes me want to dance!
  
  
• MON - Curious, a bit rough around the edges, but them is some pipes on that girl.
  
  
• LAT - So boy band-ish. Yeah, too pity me.
  
  
• MOL - Quirky and silly and fun.
  
  
• LIT - I like this one a lot.
  
  
• LEB - I like this one a lot too, almost haunting, slowly sweeping you up.
  
  
• IRL - Nice, seemed a bit simple.
  
  
• ISR - Lovely. So clear the feeling that I could almost forget that it's not in English.
  
  
• HUN - Reminded me almost of our local Renaissance Festival after hour jams. Some parts reminded me of a the Peatbog Faeries (http://www.peatbogfaeries.com/) with a hint of Cirque du Soleil (http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/) and Gypsies.
  
  
• CRO - Sounds good.
  
  
• FIN - Great voice, you can just hear his big doe eyes and flop of hair. The words while dower are not so bad. Polished boy band with a lead.
  
  
• DEN - Great voice, swoonable almost even. Fun. A bit Billy Joel-ish, but still fresh and original feeling.
  
  
• SWI - Oh, I do like this one. It reminded me a just a bit of (Carmen) Danger In Her Eyes (http://www.livejournal.com/users/perkk/42936.html). Great build up and finish!
  
  
• BUL - (I missed downloading this one)
  
  
• BLR - Not quite Evanescence, but yeah, the gothy sound with a lovely edgy voice like Mary Fahl. I like this one too.
  
  
• AND - Fun, but I think you're right, kind of lacking passion.
  
  
• AUS - Carmen Miranda in a Minne Mouse kind of way, but kind of fun is a silly way.

[jawnbc]

I'm impressed...no, tickled! Have I hooked you?

Eurovision is all about what you make of it. Your opinions are interesting and make sense too. Stay tuned, because we now know when the acts in the semi-final will be performing--and order of performance can give an OK a chance at winning and kill a great song by burying it too early or just after a break.