Poland haven't done that well in the Eurovision over the years. Their best result was their first entry in 1994, where they came 2nd. The best since then was in 2008 where Isis Gee just scraped through into the final, but came near last.
I'll be hinging my bets this doesn't do well either, despite Marcin Mroziński being a triple threat - of Actor, Singer and TV presenter all rolled into one. The song, 'Legend' doesn't scream anything of worthwhile note, as it really just sounds like a heartbroken man yelling into a microphone. I wouldn't be surprised if they try to ramp up the staging and try to give it a dramatic feel, because that's really all it will have going for it. The bookies have the same thoughts as well, giving this 67-1 odds to even get through the Semi-Final. Good luck to them.
Poland will perform 14th at the 1st semi-final.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
ESTONIA Preview: Malcolm Lincoln - Siren
Estonia became the rocket performers at last years Eurovision, finishing 6th, after not even qualifying from the Semi-Final since it was introduced! So naturally, they are going to try and capitalise on the success that Urban Symphony brought them last year, and send along a similar type of song.
Malcolm Lincoln is the band's name, Robin Juhkental and Madis Kubu are the men behind it, and in Oslo will be joined on vocals by Manpower 4, (and no, that isn't the name of a group of singing male porno stars!). The track reminds me of something out of the 80s. Even the vocals make me think the man behind the microphone of Depeche Mode. I'm not really that sure what to make of this track, and if it will get a placing in the final. Sportingbet.com.au has its odds at 21-1 to make it through to the final, so it really could be a hit or miss affair.
Estonia will perform 3rd at the 1st semi-final.
Malcolm Lincoln is the band's name, Robin Juhkental and Madis Kubu are the men behind it, and in Oslo will be joined on vocals by Manpower 4, (and no, that isn't the name of a group of singing male porno stars!). The track reminds me of something out of the 80s. Even the vocals make me think the man behind the microphone of Depeche Mode. I'm not really that sure what to make of this track, and if it will get a placing in the final. Sportingbet.com.au has its odds at 21-1 to make it through to the final, so it really could be a hit or miss affair.
Estonia will perform 3rd at the 1st semi-final.
SWEDEN Preview: Anna Bergendahl - This Is My Life
My instant reaction at hearing the Swedish entry, was that they were planning to send a Taylor Swift clone (Not to mention, has the hairstyle and dress-sense!).
Anna Bergendahl has the lucky chance to represent Sweden at this years Eurovision, a country which I think is generally quite a power-house when it comes to producing good quality music. They've won four times over the course of about 50 years, which is nothing to scoff at (they did give us ABBA after all!). But, lately they haven't seen much love on the scoreboard, since Carola took them to 5th place in 2006.
In 2010, they have gone in a slightly different direction. The song itself is a nice slow acoustic type of track, which is definitely different to what Sweden have sent over the past few years, in the way of uptempo tracks. Its already gone to Number 1 at home, which is likely to boost Anna's confidence at Oslo. I do hope they increase her stage presence in Oslo though, as from the YouTube video alone, I find the song could actually slow down the excitement of the big night (this is Eurovision after all - Choreography is king!). 26-1 is the asking price for it to win, according to Sportingbet.com.au.
Sweden will perform 6th at the 2nd semi-final.
Anna Bergendahl has the lucky chance to represent Sweden at this years Eurovision, a country which I think is generally quite a power-house when it comes to producing good quality music. They've won four times over the course of about 50 years, which is nothing to scoff at (they did give us ABBA after all!). But, lately they haven't seen much love on the scoreboard, since Carola took them to 5th place in 2006.
In 2010, they have gone in a slightly different direction. The song itself is a nice slow acoustic type of track, which is definitely different to what Sweden have sent over the past few years, in the way of uptempo tracks. Its already gone to Number 1 at home, which is likely to boost Anna's confidence at Oslo. I do hope they increase her stage presence in Oslo though, as from the YouTube video alone, I find the song could actually slow down the excitement of the big night (this is Eurovision after all - Choreography is king!). 26-1 is the asking price for it to win, according to Sportingbet.com.au.
Sweden will perform 6th at the 2nd semi-final.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
FINLAND Preview: Kuunkuiskaajat - Työlki Ellää
Well - I don't know if I'll be able to ever spell the song title without doing some copy and paste, but its all part of the Eurovision fun! Susan Aho & Johanna Virtanen are the lovely ladies representing the Finnish people this year, with a song which apparently says "One can work for a living, too." I'm personally not sure of any other ways to earn a living, other than working, but I'd be glad to hear of some!
I'll be frank about this entry. Its a real shift away from Finland have given us in the past few years (they won in 2006 with a real HEAVY rock number). This is just...well... good old fashioned folk music. I'm personally not really that fussed by it, and I can see people will be taking a good swig of vodka during their performance! I can see Finland not making it into the Final this year based on the song alone, but I think the political voting may save them. Sportingbet.com.au agrees, with current odds of 126-1 for it to even win.
Finland will perform 5th at the 1st semi-final.
I'll be frank about this entry. Its a real shift away from Finland have given us in the past few years (they won in 2006 with a real HEAVY rock number). This is just...well... good old fashioned folk music. I'm personally not really that fussed by it, and I can see people will be taking a good swig of vodka during their performance! I can see Finland not making it into the Final this year based on the song alone, but I think the political voting may save them. Sportingbet.com.au agrees, with current odds of 126-1 for it to even win.
Finland will perform 5th at the 1st semi-final.
GERMANY Preview: Lena - Satellite
Germany had a disappointing result last year, with 'Miss Kiss Bang Bang' - which I thought would have been one of the big performers of the contest. Even the inclusion of Dita Von Tesse couldn't pull them up from the lower ranks of the score-board!
The hopes this year are pinned on 18 year old Lena Meyer-Landrut, whom has already hit Number 1 at home with this song 'Satellite'. As soon as this song started playing, I was expecting a Rihanna styled voice to start singing like 'Pon De Replay'. Its another great simple bouncy Pop track, and her voice, seems to me, to be a cross between Duffy and Amy Winehouse. I hope it does well, as I think it deserves to - it is 2nd favourite to win, but I think the political voting may just hold it back.
Germany is one of the "Big Four" (one of the 4 biggest entrants who bank-roll the event), and will perform 22nd in the final.
The hopes this year are pinned on 18 year old Lena Meyer-Landrut, whom has already hit Number 1 at home with this song 'Satellite'. As soon as this song started playing, I was expecting a Rihanna styled voice to start singing like 'Pon De Replay'. Its another great simple bouncy Pop track, and her voice, seems to me, to be a cross between Duffy and Amy Winehouse. I hope it does well, as I think it deserves to - it is 2nd favourite to win, but I think the political voting may just hold it back.
Germany is one of the "Big Four" (one of the 4 biggest entrants who bank-roll the event), and will perform 22nd in the final.
DENMARK Preview: Chanée & N'Evergreen - In A Moment Like This
I've enjoyed the Danish entries in the past few years (namely Twist Of Love and All Night Long). Last year, they sent along a song written by Ronan Keating, and the performer even looked like him! This year, I'm liking their chances once again!
This year, they are sending Christina Chanée and Tomas N'evergreen with a track called "In A Moment Like This". For some reason, as soon as I heard the opening beats, I felt like I had accidentally clicked onto Tina Turner - The Best! Its a soft rock number, and I think it could take them into the final, if they play on that chemistry between them, on-stage in Oslo. This is Eurovision at its best - not cluttered with false gimmicks - just a simple song which does the job nicely.
Denmark will perform 4th at the 2nd semi-final.
This year, they are sending Christina Chanée and Tomas N'evergreen with a track called "In A Moment Like This". For some reason, as soon as I heard the opening beats, I felt like I had accidentally clicked onto Tina Turner - The Best! Its a soft rock number, and I think it could take them into the final, if they play on that chemistry between them, on-stage in Oslo. This is Eurovision at its best - not cluttered with false gimmicks - just a simple song which does the job nicely.
Denmark will perform 4th at the 2nd semi-final.
Monday, May 3, 2010
TURKEY Preview: MaNga - We Could Be The Same
Turkey have tried sending some rock styled entries in the past couple of years, and none have really grabbed my attention. This year, however, I find some elements intriguing about their entry. Its still a rock sound, but it doesn't have that complete head-banging feel to it, mainly because they are mixing rock with some rap, which I think is a good thing. It feels more modern, then your standard rock track.
The band themselves, MaNga were last year voted as the best Turkish Act by MTV and also won another 2 MTV Europe Music Awards, which does show that they are one of the best musical things coming out of Turkey at the moment. I would safely say, that Turkey will be in the final this year, if they deliver a great performance of this track. I am expecting that some fire or pyrotechnics will accompany this song on stage in Oslo.
Turkey will perform last at the 2nd semi-final.
The band themselves, MaNga were last year voted as the best Turkish Act by MTV and also won another 2 MTV Europe Music Awards, which does show that they are one of the best musical things coming out of Turkey at the moment. I would safely say, that Turkey will be in the final this year, if they deliver a great performance of this track. I am expecting that some fire or pyrotechnics will accompany this song on stage in Oslo.
Turkey will perform last at the 2nd semi-final.
ROMANIA Preview: Paula Seling & Ovi - Playing With Fire
I won't lie - I love my dance-pop tracks with a beat (probably due to my work situation and role), so I'm highly likely to be biased to tracks like this (then again, what were you expecting in this blog - expert music analysis? ha!)
This is the Romanian entry this year by Paula Seling and Ovidiu Cernăuţeanu called Playing With Fire. Paula, from what I roughly researched, is a respected musician in Romania, having won numerous awards, including an MTV Music Award, released 12 albums since 1998, and has done duets with people including Michael Bolton and Beyonce Knowles! So that takes care of her pedigree. But as for Ovidiu - well, I can't find much on him, apart from the fact he's the composer and lyricist of the song. Luckily for him, I like it!
The United Kingdom has tried to dabble in pop entries over previous years to very little success, but I think they should take note of this entry. This is pop without the cheese and camp style, and its quite catchy after a few listens. The video clip is well constructed with the use of special effects, and if that's any indicated of what their performance on the Eurovision stage could be like - I would dare say right off the bat that Romania is an easy contender to go through to the final with this. I hope they bring that double ended piano to Oslo with them - it could go down a treat!
Romania will perform 10th in the 2nd Semi-Final.
This is the Romanian entry this year by Paula Seling and Ovidiu Cernăuţeanu called Playing With Fire. Paula, from what I roughly researched, is a respected musician in Romania, having won numerous awards, including an MTV Music Award, released 12 albums since 1998, and has done duets with people including Michael Bolton and Beyonce Knowles! So that takes care of her pedigree. But as for Ovidiu - well, I can't find much on him, apart from the fact he's the composer and lyricist of the song. Luckily for him, I like it!
The United Kingdom has tried to dabble in pop entries over previous years to very little success, but I think they should take note of this entry. This is pop without the cheese and camp style, and its quite catchy after a few listens. The video clip is well constructed with the use of special effects, and if that's any indicated of what their performance on the Eurovision stage could be like - I would dare say right off the bat that Romania is an easy contender to go through to the final with this. I hope they bring that double ended piano to Oslo with them - it could go down a treat!
Romania will perform 10th in the 2nd Semi-Final.
ABOUT This Blog: Eurovision 2010 is coming!
Well its on its way, the annual Eurovision Song Contest is less than a month away, and this year we're heading off to Oslo in Norway. 39 countries have entered this year, which is down from the 42 last year - mainly due to the financial crisis hitting some countries hard. While we miss Andorra, Czech Republic, Hungary and Montenegro this year, we welcome back Georgia, who caused major controversy last year with their planned entry, which poked fun at Vladimir Putin!
Nevertheless, we are looking forward to 3 nights of musical mayhem, madness, a side order of camp and the technical dramas that can unfold on live television in front of over 100 million people. On that note, lets share some funny memories together:
WHEN LIVE TELEVISION GOES WRONG
WHEN YOU HIRE HOSTS WHO ARE MORE LOONY THEN THE EUROVISION ITSELF. (Terry Wogan having a field day also!)
HOW NOT TO SHOCK AN AUDIENCE
Australian broadcasts this year will be on the 28th, 29th and 30th at 7.30pm each night on SBS; whom once again have sent along Julia Zemiro and Sam Pang for commentary duties, as well as getting scoops and interviews along the way.
This blog is to help me share with you my thoughts on the entries - and really help me waste some more time out of my life! I'll be judging the tracks mostly on their musical sound, and how I think it fits into the modern day Eurovision picture. I try not to think of where it could be placed, based on the political nature of the contest, but can't promise that my opinion isn't going to be swayed by such matters.
So let's kick it off...
Nevertheless, we are looking forward to 3 nights of musical mayhem, madness, a side order of camp and the technical dramas that can unfold on live television in front of over 100 million people. On that note, lets share some funny memories together:
WHEN LIVE TELEVISION GOES WRONG
WHEN YOU HIRE HOSTS WHO ARE MORE LOONY THEN THE EUROVISION ITSELF. (Terry Wogan having a field day also!)
HOW NOT TO SHOCK AN AUDIENCE
Australian broadcasts this year will be on the 28th, 29th and 30th at 7.30pm each night on SBS; whom once again have sent along Julia Zemiro and Sam Pang for commentary duties, as well as getting scoops and interviews along the way.
This blog is to help me share with you my thoughts on the entries - and really help me waste some more time out of my life! I'll be judging the tracks mostly on their musical sound, and how I think it fits into the modern day Eurovision picture. I try not to think of where it could be placed, based on the political nature of the contest, but can't promise that my opinion isn't going to be swayed by such matters.
So let's kick it off...
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