So having managed to get the look at the first Semi-Final before time, I might as well keep going with part two of my almost annual lead up look. And yes, I realise the title is somewhat redundant:
17. Malta
Folk songs always have a presence at Eurovision, but given the varied cultures on display, “folk” can have very different interpretations than what audiences such as myself are used to. But this is one I can easily understand though, and Firelight’s “Coming Home” is a solid effort. It also seems to have the benefit of being a World War One Centenary tribute song. How much that will help or hinder Malta politically I have no idea, but I for one appreciate the sentiment.
18. Israel
I’m not sure what to make of this. Rock and dance elements intertwined usually do nothing for me, but Mei Finegold’s voice has a surprising amount of power, and she clearly has a lot of presence. However, “Same Heart” feels awkward in its lyrical structure, which I can just put down to linguistic issues of combining English and Hebrew in the same song. Still, her force of presence may put her over the line.
19. Norway
Another moody ballad. Not that that’s a bad thing, though. Carl Espen does compelling work here with ‘”Silent Storm”, so I hope it’ll place.
20. Georgia
Georgia is one of those countries where in recent years I feel the politics overshadow the quality of the performance their entrant brings each year. But with focus for the time being elsewhere in the former Soviet states, maybe they’ll get a good showing.
That being said, The Shin & Mariko’s “Three Minutes to Earth” is a distracting fusion of jazz, rock and folk elements with seeming broken time or rhythm. I can’t say I don’t like it, but it feels unconventional for this contest, which is saying something.
21. Poland
Oh-kaaay…
Well there’s got to be one every year; an entrant I genuinely dislike. Crass and wrong-footed for what they’re trying to achieve.
That being said, if the music video is any indication, I guarantee the stage performance will get a lot of attention from the heterosexual male audience members and judges on the night…
22. Austria
After that last entry Austria’s performance throws me into a sense of sharp relief, and here we have perhaps the first genuinely controversial entrant for this year’s Eurovision.
But it’s not as controversial as I first thought; Conchita Wurst is a drag act born out of the discrimination and prejudice Tom Neuwirth experienced as a teenager. As a juxtaposition it works brilliantly. But I worry I’m laughing for the wrong reasons…
The controversy comes from petitions in Belarus and Russia to their respective state broadcasters to edit Wurst’s performance out of the Eurovision broadcast. According to the information I dug up, the petitions claimed that the performance would turn Eurovision, “into a hotbed of sodomy.”
Oh dear. Umm…HAVE YOU PEOPLE NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION FOR THE PAST 50 ODD YEARS?!?
*ahem*
Okay, that may be the worst generalisation about camp since the mix-up involving the Spanish Ambassador and the Earl of Doncaster, but hopefully you see my point. Let’s ignore that stupidity and focus on the song.
“Rise Like A Phoenix” is fabulous; almost a Bond Theme song in its composition and performance. I hope this makes it to the Top 5 of the Final.
23. Lithuania
Well that was a mess. Vilija Matačiūnaitė clearly can sing, but “Attention” is not a good showcase for her talents.
24. Finland
Ah, a bit of alt rock eases the pain.
Softengine are an all teenage band out of Seinäjoki. They’re also known as “The Finnish Bon Jovi”, but the song “Something Better” doesn’t really show that off.
Clearly talented despite their relative youth, and a genuinely good song, I hope these lads do well.
25. Ireland
Oh Ireland. You always wonder what they’re going to do any given year.
All I can say is, “Thank Goodness it’s not Jedward!” To which the follow up is, “We still don’t know what a Jedward is!”
Kasey Smith and Can-Linn’s “Heartbeat” seems very by the numbers; pop rock with some Celtic sounds in the chorus and bridge. I don’t expect much of this, but Ireland does seem to get a lot of traction whomever they send.
Well, except for the puppet…
26. Belarus
Oh great, Belarus sent their version of Robin Thicke to Eurovision…
Well that was off-putting. I was hoping it was a parody or would have some sting in the tail, but nope; pretty much what you see is what you get.
And it’ll probably do well on the night, too. Moving on…
27. Macedonia
Well I kinda have to respect anyone who had a hit song about Marshal Tito, and that’s apparently what we have here with Tijana Dapčević.
“To the Sky” is a fun sounding number. Middle of the hunt, probably.
28. Switzerland
“Hunter of Stars” is a much cooler title than this song probably deserves. Sebalter’s pop folk sensibilities serve him well here; this is a fun, quirky, though somewhat subdued song. Though I have no idea how well this one will do.
29. Greece
“Rise Up” almost feels like Greece are playing it safe this year, with none of the counter-culture or blatantly traditional elements that have been present in previous years. Not a criticism on Riskykidd or Freaky Fortune; they are doing what they do well here, but this is a little disappointing.
30. Slovenia
A professor of flute playing in Trieste, Tinkara Kovač has finally gotten to Eurovision after three previous attempts. And finally, this contest gives a ballad with some power behind it!
I like “Round and Round”, but I think this is ultimately going to come down to stage presence to tip it over the line into the final.
31. Romania
Paula Seling & Ovi very nearly destroyed the venue with their smoldering chemistry in the 2010 contest, so it’s a treat to see them back performing together again.
“Miracle” is not as good as “Playing With Fire” was four years ago, but I expect these two to do amazing stuff on stage that will guarantee them a place in the final, probably even the Top 10…
And Semi Final Two down with time to spare. I’ll be getting into the Big Five Plus One before the Final in a few days time.
Be seeing you…
Have Sword - Will Travel 