Following yesterday’s premiere, here’s part 2 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. Slovenia – Hannah Mancini – Straight into love
The Song: Ah, the first dance song makes its appearance. Surprisingly, it’s one of the few this year and while those soaring LOOOOOOOVE’s might vaguely remind us of Euphoria, the rest of it pretty much stands on its own. This is one of the most modern entries in the field this year, thanks to that fat beat in the chorus which I’m absolutely madly in love with. The composition isn’t exactly groundbreaking and the lyrics aren’t really fresh either (the rhyming doesn’t help) but all in all this sounds like it could sneak into the charts. That is a plus, yes.
Verdict: 
The Voice: Well, we’ve only heard her singing it while standing absolutely still and that sounded nothing short of impressive. Whether she’ll be able to keep it up if she moves on stage is another matter. But for now I’d say there are worse singers to be found in this year’s field.
Verdict:
The Performance: Only Madame Zelda knows. The video looks cool though (exactly how I hoped it would) so I feel this bodes well. Secretly hoping for something along the line of what Hanna Lindblad treated us to with Manipulated, as this just screams for some serious strutting. Pretty please?
Verdict:
The DIMI test: This might just sneak into my ‘top 25 of most played songs’. I’m already strutting to it through my living room while brushing my teeth in the morning. What a way to wake up!
Verdict:
PERSONAL TOTAL: 18/20
PREDICTION: I would have liked a better starting position for Slovenia, although coming after Estonia and before Croatia doesn’t really hurt their chances. I’ll go out on a limb here and say this will qualify.
4. Croatia – Klapa S Mora – Mižerja
The Song: This sounds like it belongs in the Contest, but rather 2 decades ago. The fact that half of the instruments in this entry are all coming out of one synthesizer does not help lift my opinion – rather on the contrary. I’m sure there is an (older) audience for this kind of entry, but I’m not one of them. Too traditional and safe for my liking. And I don’t think it’s a swift tactical move to call your entry ‘Misery’. But hey.
Verdict: 
The Voice: Il Divo has moved to Zagreb, it seems. They all sound very capable and the harmonies sound lovely, especially impressed by those going into the lower range. I just wish they’d do something a bit more…unexpected.
Verdict:
The Performance: Wake me up before you go go. It’s bad enough you sound like you belong at a funeral, do you really have to act as if we’re at one too? I sure hope they’re able to put some Croatian magic into this, by which I mean 1998 rather than 2011. I’m a fan of simple yet effective, with the emphasis on effective instead of dead.
Verdict:
The DIMI test: I don’t think I’m leaning towards a yes. Unless they manage to sweep me off my feet on May 14th. Doubt it though.
Verdict:
PERSONAL TOTAL: 8/20
PREDICTION: Wedged between Slovenia and Denmark this could either be invisible or stand out. I’m leaning towards the first. They’ve got a couple of friends/neighbours in this semi, but I just can’t see it happening.
Tomorrow: Denmark & Russia
Dimivision 