All of this year’s songs have been selected, which means it’s time to start the countdown (cue Final Countdown) for the 2014 edition of our beloved Contest. I’ve only heard a couple of songs before writing this (p)review as I wanted to simulate the sensation of the regular viewer. Curious to see how thàt will turn out? Me too…
ISRAEL
The Song: And thàt, Ireland, is what a contemporary song should sound like. Not too keen on the David Guetta bridge after the first verse but I guess it makes sense as the rock influences and electronic sounds mingle towards the end of the song. The build up here is VERY effective and this kind of fusion between rock and electropop nearly always manages to rattle my cage. Love the power in the lyrics as well (“I’m not an animal in captivity” is bang on) and for once the switching in languages somehow contributes to the strength of it all. Clever all the way through.
The Voice: Well, this one kinda whipes the floor with her Macedonian sister from another mother doesn’t she? The way she pronounces everything and puts power into it – LOVE.
The Performance: Not sure if she’s gonna keep the Kill Bill theme from the video but she sure does seem to know how to sell it and WORK IT (snaps fingers). Very curious about seeing this live (can you tell?).
Checkpoint DIMI:
Daring? Well, it’s strong…
Intriguing? The build up sure is
Modern? Big time.
International? I can’t for the life of me think why this couldn’t speak to people across the continent
In one line: Work it, girlfriend – you’ve got my douze points in the bag.
PERSONAL TOTAL: 92%
PREDICTION: I am very well aware that I sound like a demented fanboy when I say it but this simply has to walk all over the competition. And if it doesn’t, surely this will make the top ten on Saturday? (did I just give it my kiss of death?)
ITALY
The Song: Fishing in the same pond as Israel but with far heavier rock influences. This could have featured on the album by one hit wonder NU (check out Any Other Girl), which to me is a good thing. I like the power this breathes all the way through. It’s the kind of slap in the face you don’t mind getting.
The Voice: Very powerful in the studio version but I’ve heard this live on the German final and girlfriend needs to get her act together if she wants to make any kind of impression in Copenhagen because what I heard was NOT up to scratch at all. She’s a San Remo alumni so I guess she can pull it off. Time for that wake up call!
The Performance: This needs powerful vocals to be the kick in the nuts it could be. Nothing more. The straight to the point approach we saw in the German final would be the way to go in May as well, I’d say. With better styling, of course.
Checkpoint DIMI:
Daring? It doesn’t sound VERY Italian musically, so perhaps yes
Intriguing? The guitars are
Modern? Sure doesn’t sound outdated to me
International? Sure thing
In one line: Just because you won San Remo doesn’t mean you’ll automatically shine at Eurovision, darling.
PERSONAL TOTAL: 79%
PREDICTION: If she gets the vocals right this will soar into the top ten. Otherwise this will fall flat on its face.
LATVIA
The Song: Sigh. I do wonder what people put into Latvian cakes. They’re right though: they’ve got no clue at all.
The Voice: His pronunciation is up to scratch, that’s something. Other than that, this campfire song doesn’t require more than his campfire approach so I guess it’s a perfect match.
The Performance: They can go ahead and keep on pretending they’re at some mediocre school event, at least that way we’ll only have to endure them once.
Checkpoint DIMI:
Daring? Daringly idiotic
Intriguing? Intriguingly idiotic
Modern? As modern as Martha Stewart’s taste
International? I sure as hell hope not
In one line: Latvian fans must feel like we did when we got Ishtar to represent us back in 2008 #desperate
PERSONAL TOTAL: 4%
PREDICTION: Surely this will be stuck in the semis? The days of the clown entries are over, right? Right?!
CURRENT RESULTS
- Israel 92
- Hungary 87
- Iceland 84
- Armenia 83
- Italy 79
- Austria 77
- France 75
- Germany 75
- Finland 73
- Albania 72
- Estonia 72
- FYR Macedonia 68
- Belgium 65
- Azerbaijan 61
- Ireland 52
- Denmark 50
- Belarus 42
- Greece 18
- Latvia 4
- Georgia 0
Dimivision 