Dimivision

Stick with me until the end, here’s part 19 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.

3. Italy – Marco Mengoni – L’essenziale

The Song: Ballad number 5326 in this Contest. But the most quintessential one of the bunch, I’m sure. The fact that it’s in the language of love sure doesn’t hurt its chances, and even though it borderlines (rather heavily) on the ‘been there, done that’ feeling it’s got that certain je ne sais quoi that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, whether you want them to or not. It sounds gorgeous in Italian, pity the poetic lyrics won’t touch everyone.
Verdict:
The Voice: Marco’s nasal sound takes about 30 seconds to get used to, after that he blends beautifully with the rest of the composition. Love his timing when he’s pronouncing the title to the song at the end of the (rather demure) chorus.
Verdict:
The Performance: Eye candy alert. This song doesn’t require a lot of fuss and a lot will come down to Marco himself and how he performs the song. I have no doubt he will be perfectly groomed, which will make ladies and other fans of men Swoon with a capital S.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: Is it too Eros R? Perhaps. But for those three minutes on that one Saturday in May I don’t think I will mind.
Verdict:

PERSONAL TOTAL: 16/20
PREDICTION: Is it too Eros R? Perhaps. But for those three minutes on that one Saturday in May I don’t think Europe will mind. Sure top 5, possible winner.

  4. Spain – ESDM – Contigo hasta el final

The Song: The Corrs have moved to Spain it seems. I also smell a toch of Ireland 2007, even though this is more clever in production: I love how many instruments are used here and the layering is very clever. It doesn’t obey the standard Eurovision build-up, which makes me love it even more, but it does take quite some time before we get to the essence of the song and that might not be very beneficial. Still, kuddos to them for sticking to their style instead of sacrificing their proverbal artistic soul.
Verdict:
The Voice: It’s a tad on the sharp side but with their live reputation I don’t think vocals are going to be an issue. Unless a crowd of a possible 120 million viewers gets the better of them.
Verdict:
The Performance: This might be the pitfall for Spain. There’s not an awful lot you can do with this song, so I think a rather straight to the point approach would work best for them. I fear for it though, the Spanish are notorious in fracking up their entries when it comes to the actual presentation on stage. I hope ESDM are putting their foot down.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: It’s a nice little ditty. A perfectly nice spring song. Nothing too extraordinary, out of this world, must put it on repeat multiple times though…
Verdict:

PERSONAL TOTAL: 13/20
PREDICTION: I fear this is too sweet for its own good and will get lost in translation. Possible bottom 5 contender.

Tomorrow: UK & Sweden

Je ne te ferai pas l’enfer, here’s part 18 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.

1. France – Amandine Bourgeois – L’enfer et moi

The Song: We had a pure retro attempt from Serbia in 2011, something rocky retro from Italy last year and this year we get this bluesy retro ditty from France. Raw, to the point and in your face – we haven’t seen many songs like this one in Eurovision and I doubt we ever will again. This can measure itself with, yes yes, the best of Amy Winehouse and I simply adore the ballsy approach France took here. Great build-up, great lyrics, great vibe, great everything.
Verdict:
The Voice: She won a (or rather THE national) talent show – sounds vaguely familiar in a year like this – but one can see (or rather hear) why. The way this girl wraps herself around the notes and song is simply delicious and she translates the feeling of the lyrics extremely well. LOVE the last part where she just goes nuts.
Verdict:
The Performance: She seems to know what she’s doing and in this case I think she’s going to put everything on an emotionally involved performance that doesn’t require a lot of visual tricks. We saw her doing her thang in Amsterdam and she was bloody brilliant there, I have no reason to doubt she’s going to be even more mindblowing come Malmö.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: Ticks all of my boxes: voice, song and performance blend beautifully to one impressive and unforgettable whole. Hence the score.
Verdict: 

PERSONAL TOTAL: 20/20
PREDICTION: I hope Europe will see its true value. I hope this will go on where Hungary 2007 had to stop. I hope this will go top 5. I hope. I don’t know though…

  2. Germany – Cascada – Glorious

The Song: Well. It’s not exactly plagiarism is it. It IS a rather clever dedication to last year’s winner however. The soaring ‘Gloooooorious’ for example. Sorry, ‘Gah-looooooorious’ – ridiculous adding of a redundant syllable. And the demure verses versus the exploding chorus is quite comparable as well. But this is so much more ‘been there, done that’ than Euphoria. No? Yes.
Verdict:
The Voice: I think the live version at the German NF wasn’t all that but I suspect the mix had something to do with it. Blondie might not be the bést singer in this Contest, but we’ve sure had way worse.
Verdict:
The Performance: With all that international experience, Cascada sure knows how to sell this entry. But. She needs to fire that stylist that made her wear *that* outfit at the German final. Or hire one. Either way: you’re not 18 anymore, girlfriend, so stop trying to act and/or look that way. That said, I rather like the straight forward approach they took at the NF: who needs distractions à la Kate Ryan when your singer can really SELL it?
Verdict:
The DIMI test: I don’t dislike it. It’s perfect to include in my Spring Cleaning list on my iPhone. But it lacks  something to make me lav it. I suspect it’s called backbone.
Verdict: 

PERSONAL TOTAL: 13/20
PREDICTION: Perhaps it’s got too many obvious references to last year’s winner to really do extremely well. But it won’t fall flat on its face (or her behind) either.

Tomorrow: Italy & Spain

Drawing semi to a close, here’s part 17 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.

 17. Romania – Cezar – It’s my life

The Song: It’s really hard to pay attention to the song itself I have to admit – the first half is rather OK, with that beat and those dubstep effects but that bridge is as bewildering as his voice and that keychange simply murders this not all that fantastic entry. Cheap might be the word for it.
Verdict:
The Voice: Farinelli is good in his genre but should perhaps stick to his genre. The attempted wow effect degrades to something bewildering and even a bit shameful.
Verdict:
The Performance: If they’re going to keep the NF performance this is doomed. The outfit, the dancers, the entire approach is simply off. How to try and fix something tailormade for Eurovision and fall flat on your face.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: I love quirky shit, but this is just shit.
Verdict: 

PERSONAL TOTAL: 5/20
PREDICTION: Even with that draw, I suspect the producers put it there in order not to lose viewers during the show, I don’t see this qualifying. Unless Europe wants a laugh on Saturday.

This concludes semi 2, let’s take a look at the ranking:

1. Norway
2. Finland
3. Malta
4. Hungary
5. Azerbaijan
6. Bulgaria
7. Albania
8. Greece
9. Iceland
10. FYR Macedonia

And I actually think this might be my prediction as well. Oh wait, there’s Georgia. I’ll swap them for…dunno…eum…on the fence here…bare with…bare with…bare with…FYR Macedonia?

Tomorrow: France & Germany

A waterfall of thoughts, here’s part 15 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.

 15. Georgia – Sopho Gelovani & Nodiko Tatishvili – Waterfall

The Song: So, this is supposed to be a force be reckoned with? I don’t hear it. What I do hear is something we’ve heard lots of times before, quelle surprise with (arrrrrgh!!!) Thomas G:Son behind it. It sounds so sterile, does absolutely nothing for me.
Verdict:
The Voice: God knows I like me some harmony and these two pull it off quite nicely. The only redeaming feature on this entry. In studio, that is.
Verdict:
The Performance: I suppose that demure showing at the song presentation will have to make way for something along the lines of Azerbaijan 2011. The duo is less likeable though: he’s Bland with a capital B & she’s laying it on waaay to thick, and the interaction between the two of them is so by the book it’s rather comical.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: I’ve heard this two times until now. Add Amsterdam, May 16th and May 18th and after that… never again.
Verdict: 

PERSONAL TOTAL: 6/20
PREDICTION: I suppose there’s an audience for this. But if Pastora Soler couldn’t cut it in the final with a comparable entry, I don’t see this doing much better. Even with more friends on their side.

  16. Switzerland – TAKASA – You and me

The Song: Is this something Nanne Grönvall had as a back-up for Håll Om Mig back in 2005? It transports us back to the time of Ruslana, and as that’s already almost a decade behind us I wouldn’t call this very fresh. It’s nice, yes, and rather inoffensive but it doesn’t exactly blow me away.
Verdict:
The Voice: With a haunting guitar riff like that you’d expect a bit more power oozing out of the vocals. Far too demure to sell this entry the way it needs to be sold.
Verdict:
The Performance: I hope they will seriously reconsider that NF performance. This song requires some dynamic on stage. Which doesn’t mean they’ll have to milk the old man (ieuw, no pun intended AT ALL) as they do in the official video, just keep the audience on their toes, or at least awake, during those 3 minutes please.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: There’s not an awful lot wrong with the song but the entire approach needs to be reconsidered. I know we’re talking about a Heilsarmee division, but that’s no excuse. At all.
Verdict: 

PERSONAL TOTAL: 9/20
PREDICTION: From what I’ve seen until now this is hopeless. Even with that draw.

Tomorrow: Romania + wrap-up semi 2

I feed you my thoughts, here’s part 15 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. Norway – Margaret Berger – I feed you my love

The Song: YES! Thank you, Norway! A contemporary entry that could’ve easily comefrom the back catalogue of The Black Keys or could feature on the soundtracks of The Fifth Element or The Matrix with those deep & slow electronic effects and those haunting drums. The lyrics are slightly bewildering and a bit in your face, with the title on top, which only makes this entry more intriguing.
Verdict:
The Voice: Miss Berger has a talent show history and she is in fact a vocal talent, but this composition sounds like a challenge for her. Well, it really is an exhausting song to sing which has an impact on those last high bits but if she wants the trophy she’ll need to be able to keep it up all the way through. Looking forward to hear those omnipresent harmonies with a live backing vocal as well…
Verdict:
The Performance: Ow, I hope she’ll keep the demure approach for Malmö! The start, with focus on her, the dress and the effective armography, really showcases how in-your-face the composition is and by the time the second verse kicks in it’s already so hypnotizing any random visual tricks or choreography would break the spell. Fingers crossed they don’t change one single bit.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: L.O.V.E.
Verdict: 

PERSONAL TOTAL: 19/20
PREDICTION: Should sail into the final and my gut feel tells me this is one to watch for the trophy. If people ‘get it’. I think they will.

  14. Albania – Adrian Lulgjuraj & Bledar Sejko – Identitet

The Song: In this diverse semi it only has one direct competitor and this entry wipes the floor with Armenia. It doesn’t sound a lot more contemporary, I am reminded of some Eastern European entries in the mid ’90s, but it’s got a good build-up & some clever hooks that keep me interested all the way through. I can even sit through the electric guitar solo, just iemaygien!
Verdict:
The Voice: The switching of singer in certain parts gives a certain kind of dynamic and they complement each other in a great way. For a rock song. At Eurovision.
Verdict:
The Performance: I suppose this will be supported by huge amounts of pyro effects. I suppose that fits. The more in your face this will comes across, the better.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: Not my favourite this year. By a long shot. But it’s a nice addition.
Verdict: 

PERSONAL TOTAL: 12/20
PREDICTION: I’m struggling to see this qualify – I adored their attempt in 2011 which gave me the same vibes and that got stuck in the semis. In this diverse field however this one might just scrape through.

Tomorrow: Georgia & Switzerland

Planet Eurovision can be a lonely planet at times, here’s part 13 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.

11. Armenia – Gor Sujyan – Lonely planet

The Song: It seems the world of Heavy Metal kind of loves Eurovision! Proven once again by having a member of the notorious Black Sabbath as the composer of the Armenian entry. Tommy Iommi has had his biggest successes in the ’80s and ’90s and I’m afraid this entry’s stuck in those decades rather than live in the now. It’s not necessarily awful, it just doesn’t breathe enough fresh air to ever be somewhat interesting. The rather bland ecological lyrics do not help one bit.
Verdict:
The Voice: Señor Sujyan sounds like he knows what he’s doing…until that poor excuse for a key change kicks in, then it all goes a bit up in the air. I’m not sure if he really fits the song, he lacks a bit of a rocky vibe to really lift this to another level.
Verdict:
The Performance: Not much to add, this is a straight to the point song that doesn’t require any tricks and señor Sujyan seems to fill the stage enough on his own. But if the guy from Azerbaijan needs an experienced gardener for his eyebrows than this guy requires a jungle explorer.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: I’m always up for a rock song but this one doesn’t exactly scream for my attention. It’s there and doesn’t offend me, I guess there’s worse.
Verdict: 

PERSONAL TOTAL: 9/20
PREDICTION: I’m not feeling this at all. This might be the second time Armenia gets stuck in the semi.

  12. Hungary – ByeAlex – Kedvesem 

The Song: What a sweet little ditty! It’s deliciously flowing on the wings of daydreams and provides for a nice resting point. Don’t quite get why it’s announced as a remix, why is that even a point? Anyhow: this is lovely.
Verdict:
The Voice: Alex doesn’t come across as a fantastic singer BUT you do feel this is an artist taking the stage, trying to get a message across and this kind of integrity works miracles when it comes to my forgiveness. The backing provides a nice addition halfway through without casting a shadow on Alex’ demure vocals.
Verdict:
The Performance: Alex just needs to be his sweet little self to sell this entry. A LOT will depend on staging, lighting and directing with this though: if they can’t get that right this fragile lullaby will simply fade away and that would be a shame.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: There’s something about this. Makes my heart melt.
Verdict: 

PERSONAL TOTAL: 14/20
PREDICTION: A lot of male soloists in this semi that might trample all over this. However, if the poetic beauty of this entry translates on screen this could surprise more than we all care to think.

Tomorrow: Norway & Albania

It’s all for free, here’s part 12 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.

9. Greece – Koza Mostra feat. Agathonas Iakovidis – Alcohol is free

The Song: Yay, ska! After Turkey (Athena) & Moldova (Zdob şi Zdub) it’s Greece’s turn to explore this particular genre @ Eurovision and the lads have a very clever approach by going for a perfect symbiosis with the traditional Greek sounds. They take the playfulness one step too far with that empty chorus however, it might come across as a casual rebellion song while it’s musically rather accomplished. Well, it’s fun anyway but perhaps a tad too borderline youth movement.
Verdict:
The Voice: Not the most important of factors in this equation I’d say. Let’s just keep it at ‘fits the picture’.
Verdict:
The Performance: The most important thing for them is to get the fun across. I don’t think that’ll be an issue.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: I liked Athena & Zdob şi Zdub and the only reason I rate this lower is because of the chorus. It’s fun though, so I might leave the ffwd button alone when this comes along.
Verdict:

PERSONAL TOTAL: 12/20
PREDICTION: Of course this will easily make it to the final. Might be too casual to do any big things on Saturday.

  10. Israel – Moran Mazor – Rak Bishvilo 

The Song: OK, by now I’ve had it with all the ballads in this year’s Contest and this one tests my patience Big Time. As a ballad this is quite OK, the build-up is rather nice and even though the sound is a tad mechanical I’m not exactly screaming in agony. Unlike Moran. I do have a problem listening to this entry and it might have something to do with the harsh sounds the Hebrew language produces: sometimes it can work wonders for an entry (Hasheket shenish’ar, Milim), other times it’s simply too much to take. In this case, it’s the latter for me…
Verdict:
The Voice: As impressive as Moran sounds in the first half of this entry: the second half simply kills it for me. I am not at all impressed by that wailing I’m afraid.
Verdict:
The Performance: Rather standard, but as it’s a ballad there aren’t a gazillion options and I prefer simple to overworked. Lots of visual tricks to distract from Moran’s full figure though, or am I reading too much into it? Doesn’t really matter after all. I’d go for a cheerier colour coding if I were them, it’s all a tad too funeralesque for me.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: I’d like to cut this entry in half. Which I guess doesn’t make me that much of a fan.
Verdict: 

PERSONAL TOTAL: 9/20
PREDICTION: Less female ballads in this semi so this might work to her advantage. Can’t really predict how people will respond to all the drama though. I’m leaning towards a no at the moment.

Tomorrow: Armenia & Hungary

Roll out the big drums, here’s part 12 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.

 7. Bulgaria – Elitsa & Stoyan – Samo Shampioni

The Song: It’s like Busindre Reel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye6caUf2vZM) with lyrics, isn’t it? As with their first attempt in 2007 this is rather all over the place as far as structure goes, only this one doesn’t quite have the build-up Water had. It starts and stops a couple of times to make room for some drumming which doesn’t really help the continuity of this entry and at the same time it doesn’t really go anywhere. I suspect the rather lacklustre chorus might have something to do with that. I do like the ethnic sound however, and there’s nothing really even remotely close to it in this year’s field so it’ll certainly stand out.
Verdict:
The Voice: We know Elitsa’s sound is a very particular one, which you either love or hate. The studio version includes a lower harmony and I hope they bring in a backing on stage to cover it as it really softens Elitsa’s sharp voice. It does however fit this ethnic entry, so I guess it’s just a matter of whether or not this sounds like scraping nails on a blackboard in your ears. It’s dangerously close!
Verdict:
The Performance: Yes, we as fans know what to expect from the duo: drums, and lots of them. The other 99% of the television audience on May 16 won’t, and just like in 2007 they’ll probably love this entry for it. It’s their own style and it works for them, and the fact they’ve got this giant construction instead of your average drums set won’t do them any harm.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: It’s different, and while that’s not always a recipe for success this is different enough for me to like it. Not dynamic enough for me to love it though.
Verdict: 

PERSONAL TOTAL: 12/20
PREDICTION: Perhaps it lacks the catchiness of their first attempt, it is however the odd one out that might just scrape through.

8. Iceland – Eyþór Ingi Gunnlaugsson – Ég á líf

The Song: Another ballad, and a standard one at that. It’s got one catchy line which carries most of the song, the rest of it is rather underwhelming as we’ve seen and heard this in many forms and shapes before. It sounds like something Robbie Williams would have included as a filler on an album at the start of his solo carreer. You might perceive this as a compliment, but I really do not mean it that way.
Verdict:
The Voice: No discussion here, this man can sing. His timing is perfect and he turns this standard piece of banality into something worth listening to.
Verdict:
The Performance: It doesn’t need more than him standing there, conveying emotions. It also doesn’t need that white vest he wore in the NF as that’s like soooo 1994.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: Come to think of it, this does belong in 1994. I don’t mind it thàt much, it just doesn’t give me goosebumps and that’s what a ballad needs to do.
Verdict: 

PERSONAL TOTAL: 11/20
PREDICTION: As it’s a male ballad it will stand out and might pull a Kuula. It might be invisible as well between all the uptempo violence in this semi. Borderline for now.

Tomorrow: Greece & Israel

Time for some declarations of love (in multiple ways), here’s part 11 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.

 5. Finland – Krista Siegfrids – Marry me

The Song: This must be one of the most contemporary sounding entries we’ve ever gotten from Finland. A perfect little pop song that could’ve easily featured on the latest Katy Perry album and I could see this attacking charts around Europe. There’s only one big BUT: the theme is so oldfashioned it can’t even be called vintage or retro. I mean, marriage? The lyrics are lovely quirky, yes, but there have got to be fresher subjects than that. Does provide a good excuse for those very effective chiming bells. Uh oh, uh oh oh ding dong!
Verdict:
The Voice: In fact, Krista could well be Katy’s distant cousin as she does sound like her A LOT. Do you think she’s the girl Katy kissed and now Krista wants to take it up a notch? I’m getting sidetracked. Krista’s got that pop vibe down, with perfect timing and cheeky intonation that fit the rythm and pace very nicely. Doesn’t sound too polished and that’s exactly what this cheeky entry needs.
Verdict:
The Performance: Of course there will be a wedding dress. Won’t be the traditional gown I suspect, more along the lines of what we saw in UMK. In other words, she’s gonna Kesha it up a bit. Which makes the marriage thing come across less dowdy, huzzah! Just hope the backings and dancers will fit the theme a tiny bit better. Krista found the perfect balance in her NF performance between moving around enough to give us involvement and standing still enough to keep up vocally. Clever girl, this one. Ow, you might want to check out the official video where she really showcases the fact she got a screw loose up there. Love.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: Quirky’s my middle name. Uh oh, uh oh oh ding dong!
Verdict: 

PERSONAL TOTAL: 16/20
PREDICTION: This one’s a bit low profile at the moment but I don’t see any reason why this shouldn’t qualify and do unexpected things in the final. Unless people can’t get over the marriage thing.

6. Malta – Gianluca Bezzina – Tomorrow

The Song: Cute. That’s the key word here. All you need is a ukelele, simple but effective lyrics, a nice singalong chorus with a couple of catchy uh-oh’s and you’ve got an entry that sounds like it could warm hearts all around Europe. This kind of troubadour song has always done well and this one’s up there with the best of them.
Verdict:
The Voice: Cute. Gianluca tells the story really well as his timing and phrasing are very effective and he plays the part of troubadour as if it was always meant to be.
Verdict:
The Performance: Cute. I like the video, even though it’s just a tad clumsy at times. The live performance doesn’t need any forced staging though, just let the vibe of spring and summer come in through the music. Gianluca’s twinkle in the eye will provide for enough to look at.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: Cute. Gosh, I suddenly realise I like the Maltese entry. I need some comfort food now.
Verdict: 

PERSONAL TOTAL: 15/20
PREDICTION: This might be the surprise of this year’s edition. I can easily see this pulling a Tom Dice.

Tomorrow: Bulgaria & Iceland

Hold me – or rather hold yourself, it’s part 10 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.

3. FYR Macedonia – Vlatko Lozanoski & Esma Redžepova – Pred da se razdeni 

The Song: Oh dear, another one that can’t choose between ballad or uptempo? Funny that they’re positioned right next to each other. Difference to San Marino is that I actually like both style excercises. What I don’t like is how they’re combined: it kind of comes together towards the end…and it kind of doesn’t. A bit clumsy. A bit sad.
Verdict:
The Voice: Vlatko has got that typical (lovely) melancholic Balkan sound that suits the ballad bit to a T. Esma is perfectly cast for the wailing part. It’s when they mix one feels slightly itchy. Luckily that only lasts about 15 seconds.
Verdict:
The Performance: I suspect we can expect a spotlight on Esma and I suspect that will be the right way to go. What else will they do to make this entry visually interesting? Nothing too much, I should hope – it’s more than enough on its own.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: As two seperate entries: yes please. As one song: only if I’m in the right mood. Which probably means: drunk.
Verdict: 

PERSONAL TOTAL: 10/20
PREDICTION: I haven’t got a freaking clue. It’s so all over the place it could end up anywhere. Well, anywhere but top 5. Unless Esma puts her spell on all of Europe.

 4. Azerbaijan – Farid Mammadov – Hold me 

The Song: A nice little pop song with a strong and memorable chorus …and forgettable verses. The  structure might be a bit ‘by the book’ but it sure sounds effective, and the rich production sells this entry extremely well.
Verdict:
The Voice: Farid is well in control of his vocals and delivers a flawless, if somewhat unimpressive and demure rendition. A bit like, here it comes, Dima Bilan: nice but sterile. Pity he inherited his accent as well.
Verdict:
The Performance: I suppose Ictimai will spruce this up a little from what we’ve seen in their NF. I know Farid tries to hide the fact he’s rather short by taking center stage and standing still, but a tad more passion and involvement would take this to the next level (and make it a contender, as much as Ictimai would like to avoid victory). And I’m not saying those eyebrows need to go, they just need a really good trim. Preferably by an experienced gardener.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: If only those verses were a bit more memorable… But it might stick. It just might.
Verdict:

PERSONAL TOTAL: 12/20
PREDICTION: Qualifying with ease. I shall be VERY curious to see what this will do on Saturday. Do NOT rule this out.

Tomorrow: Finland & Malta