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…
UKRAINE
The Song: If you look at the first version of this song…it’s like a completely different song basically and in this case that’s a good thing. It’s just not that surprising, sounds like something Greece would send come to think of it. It sounds a bit generic to my ears, even with that rather catchy chorus and the annoying whistle. Or maybe because of it.
The Voice: I’ve never known a Ukrainian entrant to mess up vocally so I guess this one won’t either. But she’ll have to pull out all the stops to make it rather memorable.
The Performance: Hopefully more along the lines of the video than those of the initial performance. But it’s Ukraine, they’ll come up with something slick yet again.
Checkpoint DIMI:
Daring? No
Intriguing? No no
Modern? Meih
International? Perhaps
In one line: But do they even want to do well this year?
PERSONAL TOTAL: 65%
PREDICTION: Lower regions on Saturday.
UNITED KINGDOM
The Song: Power to the people? Children of the universe? What’s next, give a little love back to the world? (rolls eyes) I don’t know about this, the structure sounds very odd to me. It starts and stops one too many times and it somehow sounds like two or three different songs that have been thrown into the mix together. Some parts I do like but some parts sound too forced… Did she and her co-writer get lost between her own musical universe and the one she thinks Eurovision is all about? I
The Voice: Same sentiments here actually. In some parts her voice really works and shines, in others it sounds a tad out of place. It doesn’t really work. Especially with those backings, who are the most memorable bit about this entry.
The Performance: Band set-up is the way to go here, she seems like the kind of girl who’d get lost in a forced stage act anyway.
Checkpoint DIMI:
Daring? Nope
Intriguing? Not enough
Modern? Musically sometimes, otherwise: no (despite the hipster feel she’s projecting)
International? The message might be, but the wrapping is too fickle I feel
In one line: “And we’re all gonna shine a light together” sounded much more effective and even thàt was too sugary for its own good…in 1997.
PERSONAL TOTAL: 62%
PREDICTION: It won’t happen, BBC. Kuddos for giving new talent a chance though.
FINAL RESULTS
- Israel 92
- Norway 88
- Hungary 87
- Iceland 84
- Armenia 83
- Italy 79
- Austria 77
- Poland 76
- France 75
- Germany 75
- Netherlands 74
- Finland 73
- Switzerland 73
- Albania 72
- Estonia 72
- Lithuania 70
- FYR Macedonia 68
- Malta 67
- Ukraine 65
- Belgium 65
- United Kingdom 62
- Azerbaijan 61
- Montenegro 58
- Russia 58
- Moldova 55
- Ireland 52
- Sweden 51
- Denmark 50
- Romania 42
- Belarus 42
- Slovenia 35
- Spain 28
- San Marino 26
- Greece 18
- Portugal 14
- Latvia 4
- Georgia 0
So there you have it!
Now, time to gaze into the stars and predict the future!
Semi 1 Prediction
Certainties: Armenia, Estonia, Iceland, Russia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Belgium, Hungary
Contenders for the open spots: Sweden (yes!), Latvia (uhu!), Moldova (just because) & Netherlands
Can’t see any of the other four make it and Sweden might be the surprise non qualifier this year.
Semi 2 Prediction
Certainties: Malta, Norway, Poland, Lithuania, Finland, Greece, Romania
Contenders for the open spots: Israel, Austria, Ireland, Switzerland
Final prediction
I don’t have a freaking clue. My pinky toe is whispering it’s gonna be Denmark again which, in case you missed it, I think would be an outrage. But it genuinely seems like an open competition so BRING IT ON!
Stay tuned in the meanwhile, interviews from Amsterdam will be up next week!
Dimivision 