Only Eurovision survives, and here’s part 7 of the run through of this year’s contestants! Will they be beautiful butterflies, or rather moths that have to hide away in the dark? 
First of all, a bit of framework for the judging – I’ll be looking at the song, the vocal performance and the stage presentation (or concept of the video if we haven’t seen a stage performance) and I’ll round up by putting them to the DIMI test (do I think it’s Dramatic, Intriguing and/or Modern enough to Include in my iTunes library?). I’ll score the entries from 1 to 5 on each of those points, resulting in a score out of a possible maximum of 20.
13. Ireland – Ryan Dolan – Only love survives
The Song: Of all songs in this semi, this is the one that most obviously follows the path of Euphoria. It sounds like something David Guetta or Calvin Harris would have produced in their early days and as far as those verses go I’d say it’s charts material – too bad that chorus is a bit empty, in composition and production. It could have done with a more full on sound, now it just reminds me of an ’80s computer game.
Verdict: 
The Voice: Now I know Irish fans always use the excuse that the studio where RTE holds its NF isn’t very advantageous for vocal effects and it can’t be used as a benchmark, but I still have yet to hear proof of that (keeping in mind Jedward aren’t actual singers, yes). Ryan sure sounds like he knows what he’s doing (at times), so that’s already counting for something I guess. I’m not too keen on the colour of his voice, but that’s personal taste. I do wonder if he’ll move around a bit more and how that will affect his abilities…
Verdict:
The Performance: This song requires more movement on stage, not only by those backing dancers/drummers but by mister Dolan as well. In other words: we need a bit more involvement please. The drumming is a nice addition however, and I hope they’ll manage to translate a bit of the coolness of the music video to the Malmö stage.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: This is one of those that I don’t mind when I hear it but I won’t even consider putting it on repeat. Warm nor cold…
Verdict:
PERSONAL TOTAL: 12/20
PREDICTION: After a bunch of wailing women this will sure provide some oxygen and therefore (easily) qualify. Won’t do big things on Saturday though.
14. Cyprus – Despina Olympiou – An me thimáse
The Song: We haven’t had an R&B ballad so I guess there’s room for one more. Too bad it suffers from a rather lacklustre chorus, which makes this entry already boring by the time we are only halfway. The keychange is a bit redundant and forced and I’m rather glad when it’s all finally over…
Verdict:
The Voice: Despina almost sounds as bored with the song as I am. I’m sure she knows how to sing, I just wish she’d convey at least some of the passion from the lyrics.
Verdict:
The Performance: If that video is anything to go by it’ll be ‘the big Despina show’. The ‘Greek Goddess’ thing has been done before, and better at that. With a boring entry like this you might want to spruce it up a little, dear, or you might get a rather big blow to that ego.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: Yawn. I might fall asleep before I even get the chance to convert this into an mp3.
Verdict:
PERSONAL TOTAL: 8/20
PREDICTION: This’ll be as good as invisible I think. And given certain recent economic developments I don’t think this will come even remotely close to qualifying.
Tomorrow: Belgium & Serbia
Dimivision 