Last night was all about the Nordic countries with Iceland, Norway and Denmark having their national finals and Sweden kicking off Melodifestivalen. Let's start with Iceland...
Hera Björk sang backups for Eurobandit two years ago in Belgrade and this year she'll be fronting Iceland on stage in Oslo with the song "Je ne sais quoi" (I don't know what). She does indeed have a strong voice but to tell the truth the song in itself isn't all that. Unfortunately. She deserves something much better, but Hera has been involved with writing the song herself so there's nobody to blame really.
Iceland 2010 - "Je ne sais quoi"
Last year Hera came 2nd in the Danish Melodi Grand Prix with this super-schlager. Which one do you prefer?
Yohanna – Is it true? 4/5 Ah, a simple, naked and effective ballad well sung by a beautiful girl without acrobats, clowns or hysterical dancers behind her on stage. Only 3 very good backing singers and a big 18th century ship on the LED screens to set the mood. How very convenient for Iceland coming right after the mishmash of bad taste from Bulgaria. Will rocket itself into the final for sure!
Earlier today I listened to "Valentine Lost" and was yet again puzzled over how powerful the song is together with Eirikur's voice. I'm still upset Iceland never reached the final in 2007. I did get to meet Eirikur though and you couldn't ask for a nicer man. Ever since I saw him sing for Norway in 1991 (Just4Fun - Mrs. Thompson) I have associated him with Vincent from the late 80s tv-series "Beauty and the Beast" for rather obvious reasons. My friend Linda and I were kind of obsessed with the show despite our young age. I haven't seen it since then until tonight. Turns out TV4 Guld here in Sweden is broadcasting re-runs of the series and I was lucky enough to catch an episode today. Ah, don't you just love the 80s! Or what do you say Eirikur? 1986 was a hip year, wasn't it? Big hairstyles and groovy outfits. Like a little certain Icelandic pop band had in Eurovision that same year. Yes? Icy - Gledibankinn.
All five Nordic countries were in the final for the first time since 2000, which is a great achievement in itself. We should all be proud and happy about it, but then it is in our nature to hope for more than just initial success.
Norway made us all proud and defended the Nordic flags in the top five of the scoreboard. Maria had great luck in the draw, but more importantly she sang very well and managed to be totally likeable on stage. A strong chorus that deserved to be Norway's best showing since 2003.
Iceland at #14 is a tiny disappointment as well. I thought the song would reach out and grab more people in the end, but making it to the final for the first time since 2004 should be enough to keep the icelanders happy. And they did beat Denmark in the last round of votes. Rightly so, may I add. Danes are lovely people, but all their last entries (including this one) leave me totally cold.
Leaving people cold is apparently what Sweden did also. Taking this contest more seriously than the EBU themselves, a second consecutive 18th place is very hard to digest. I don't for a second think that Charlotte or "Hero" deserved to go so low in the ranking, but the points talk frankly: this passed the voters by. Not even the Nordic neighbours spilled points over it. There is something in the Swedish recipe that passed its date of expiry, without the Swedes noticing. Being elegant, cold and impeccably produced won't take you far anymore. I just hope people realise that Charlotte is not the one to blame here - it just didn't work out. Sometimes the world is like that.
Finland had managed to whip up a frenzy on home ground, thinking Teräsbetoni could actually win the grand final. As soon as the initial disappointment goes away (who would be happy with a 22nd place?), the Finns will calm down and feel satisfied with being in the final for the third year running. And, hopefully, get the message from Europe: rock was really fun for a while. But now we would like something else.
Ever since their debut back in 1986 (and yes, I am old enough to remember), Iceland has been one of my favourite countries at the ESC. Always doing their own thing, never being too eager to please, often being violently entertaining, often overlooked when it comes down to voting.
Tonight, I think Iceland will have wind in their sails again and make it to the final for the first time since 2004. Unless Euroband loses their marbles and become too over-enthusiastic on stage, this should go down very well with the viewers.
So let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best and reminisce of few of the Icelandic entries that should have done better:
Silvia Night - Congratulations - Iceland 2006 13/23 in the semi final
Selma - If I Had Your Love - Iceland 2005 16/25 in the semi final
Paul Oscar - Minn hinsti dans - Iceland 1997 20/25
Euroband - This Is My Life 4/5 Even though I’m not hot for the 90s sound I do like Iceland as always. Powerful voices and a very danceable beat that I will bop myself sweaty to in Club Lino all summer. Hopefully Euroband gets a ticket to the final but I fear the fun stops there.
Time to eat my words, then. Faithful readers will remember me dismissing this one completely even before it won the national final back in February. And I stand by it back then. I thought it was contrived and weak and that everyone involved wanted too much for their own good.
But that was then. The facelift the song had in the national final has taken it a long way, and an easygoing dance tune is not a bad way to start a semi. Friðrik and Regina are dead confident and belts out their number with gusto and determination, and that will probably win the voters over.
But is it really time for a 90's revival already?
In the final? Yes, for the first time since 2004. Good for Iceland, but hardly a winner come Saturday.
The Super Saturday left us with no less than eight new entries for Belgrade. And here they are, complete with Mr Becks' first impression.
Deep Zone & Balthazar - DJ, Take Me Away - Bulgaria 2008 At first I don't understand much - a hard beat turns into some pseudo reggae before turning back into a dance track. And there, somewhere, I begin to see the point. This will work wonders in the clubs (maybe not only in Bulgaria), but that does not necessarily translate into ESC success. But best of luck to the Bulgarians DJ's. Thanks for trying, anyway.
Kraljevi Ulice & 75 Cents - Romanca - Croatia 2008 Street musicians complete with a street bench and a loud old man and everything. Not without charm, but 100 % made for domestic consumption. Most people outside the Slavic sphere will get absolutely nothing out of this. Whatever happened to the pop music of Croatia? Will we never hear a pop chorus from them ever again?
Euroband - This is my life - Iceland 2008 Two fabulous singers make the most out of a rather weak song. Add some intense 90's beat, and there you have Euroband, trying to get Iceland into the final for the first time since 2004. Given the way the national selections are shaping, it would not be impossible for them to pass into the Saturday night show, but RUV will be spared the trouble of organising the international event also next year.
Dustin the Turkey - Irlande Douze Points - Ireland 2008 Ah, well. It won. That fact doesn't make me half as sad as the fact that many, seriously many, people seem to find it the funniest entry ever. Come back Scooch, all is forgiven. Not even Germany would have gone for this one in their saddest days of comedy back in the 90's.
Tamara Todevska, Adrian Gahxa & Vrcak - Vo ime na ljubovta - FYR Macedonia 2008 The only clip available on the net is this, somewhat out-of-tune, reprise rendering. Hard to say whether this will work or not, as it will probably be polished a bit before the ESC, but I really like FYR Macedonia's efforts of bringing less typical Eurovision sounds into the contest.
Ani Lorak - Shady Lady - Ukraine 2008 Baccara has really left their mark on large territories of this old continent, that is for sure. A more than OK disco song, competently belted out by Ani Lorak, who almost got to represent her country already back in 2005. Not bad at all, and probably a grower, but given the recent quirkyness and originality of the Ukraine, I had maybe hoped for a tiny bit more.
Nico & Vlad Mirita - Pe-o margine de lume - Romania 2008 I have no idea what song the backing singers think they are dancing to, but that slight criticism aside, I find myself liking this. Traditional, straight-forward pop ballad that could have made top three in Sanremo anytime during the late 80's. Very well sung, uncomplicated and appealing. Well done, Romania.
Isis Gee - For Life - Poland 2008 Big voice and big ballad from Poland who, for once, I think, got it right in their national final. Luckily, this is not just the stereotypical big ballad that just wants to show off some pretty vocal chords, but it is also quite engaging. The only thing I miss is a bigger bang by the end, but I would be surprised to see Poland miss the final this year.
Last night we got to see 8 new finalists. Some very disappointing, a few good ones and some disasters. Let's start with Iceland. They know how to pick a winner unlike some other islands. Not mentioning any names but a very green island.
Iceland 2008: Euroband - "This is my life" Even if the song is a bit too flirtatious with the early 90s-sound I still like it. And any song featuring Regina Òsk must be good. That's the law. Will be surprised if this doesn't go through the semi in Belgrade.
What a mess! What were they thinking? I haven't heard the other songs but was this really the best they could do? Disappointing.
Croatia 2008: Kraljevi ulice & 75 cents - "Romanca"
Eh....have the Croatians gone completely mad? The song in itself is quite traditional and not harmful but why bring in the local mafia with a Hugh Hefner-look-a-like to perform it? Now we might as well send Christer Sjögren off and they can battle it out in the Senior Eurovision - Live from a nursing home close to you!
Bulgaria 2008: Deep Zone & Balthazar - "DJ Take Me Away"
Hurrah!!! I really like this dance track! Way to go Bulgaria. You surprised me last year with a fantastic song and now you follow it up with another fresh dish. Thank you. And who can go wrong with a name like good ol' Balthazar?! Woho!
Ireland 2008: Dustin the Turkey - "Irlande Douze Pointe" I hope you are proud of yourself you stupid Irish! A screaming puppet is just what the Eurovision needs. This. Is. Not. Funny. The one and only thing in this whole mess that I actually like is the line about "Wogan's wig". But that's it. Unfortunately I don't expect the turkey to get the placing he deserves. People will vote and I will cry.
Poland 2008: Isis Gee - "For Life" Traditional ballad not unlike Dutch "My impossible dream" from 2005. Quite nice but American Isis was struggling with the high notes last night. Not a good sign. But compared with the bunch chosen yesterday this is among the best. Doesn't say much really but 2008 is looking more and more like a middle-of-the-road-year. Shame. Btw, Isis Gee has a twin in Swedish tv-presenter Linda Isaksson. "Like as berries" as we say in Sweden.
Romania 2008: Nico & Vlad Mirita - "Pe-o margine de lume" Strong good voices in a duet which brings back memories from "Tell me why". Other people have compared the song to one of my Italian favourites "Avrei voluto" (1989). Not quite guys, but not a bad song at all. It will definitely pick up votes across the scoreboard.
Ukraine 2008: Ani Lorak - "Shady Lady" Thank God for the Ukraine! At least there is one country you can always count on to deliver. It's finally superstar Ani Lorak's turn to take the stage in Eurovision with a smoking hit penned by Philip Kirkorov. Yes! Yes! Yes! I love it!
Now please have your say about these 8 new songs. Is it a stuffed turkey or a senior citizen with a stick for you?
For the people with strong nerves and a solide psyche, this weekend will offer loads of fun in Euroland. Before Saturday is over, we will have eight more entries to complete the line-up in Belgrade. So, when Saturday turns into Sunday, we will be able to judge a great deal better if this is a strong year or if it is all turning into mush, doom and gloom.
I must admit that I don't have complete overview of the contenders so far. I am totally unable to determine whether things look good or not, but I do have a sneaky feeling somewhere in my old bones that we could be looking at possibly the weakest load of entries since 2004. Some songs are good, far too many are just OK, and far too many are truly disastrous.
Hopefully, it will make less of a mess than in 2004 - if things work out as planned, most of the rubbish will stay in the semis, where they can't hurt ordinary, decent, tax-paying people.
So, get on with it Bulgaria, Croatia, Iceland, Ireland, FYR Macedonia, Poland, Romania and the Ukraine: give us your best shots. Will we see a winner coming from any of these?
Iceland is about to select its 21st Eurovision entry, and as I have kept half an eye on their endless selection procedure (isn't RUV a tiny bit afraid that 2,639 semi finals will leave the audience somewhat exhausted and fed up?), my spirits keep sinking and sinking. There is not much that leaves the old heart singing with joy when one listens through the potential entries.
I have always held Iceland were high in my personal ranking - they have been a neverending source of good pop music, fun performances and, sometimes, contribution that somewhat pushes the limits of this contest. This year, there is nothing to write home about.
I think I would be sort of pleased with Euroband, but I still think it is too early for a 90's revival. I never missed Culture Beat even once, and I don't think anyone else did either. And I am not sure if I should be happy about seeing Fridrik and Regina, two of my favourite singers, be shipped abroad with a song that is obviously lacking in most departments.
Not that I can blame the Icelandic for losing their grip, though. After 2005, when they were way ahead of everyone else and sent in the best dance track to date ever in Eurovision, only be rewarded with a shameful 16th place in the semi, I can't blame them for not giving it their all. (I don't CARE that her dress didn't work, that the camera work was a disaster, that Selma wasn't as confident as she should have been... Damn! Europe should have voted for her anyway!)
Selma - If I Had Your Love - Iceland 2005 16/25 in the semi final
