Eurovision 2019: Abbreviated Song Reviews

Armenia  

Srbuk: Walking Out 

Strong chorus, weaker middle section. Srbuk gives a dynamic performance. Likely to be one of the casualties from semi-final 2, though.

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Austria

Pænda: Limits

Kate Bush meets Ellie Goulding. In any other environment, this would do well - but the Eurovision Song Contest doesn't feel like its natural home. Perhaps too delicate for the competition and another entry that could fail to qualify.

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Azerbaijan

Chingiz: Truth

Contemporary, catchy and radio-friendly. Combines ethnic flavours with modern Western sounds. Likely to qualify easily and, if there's any justice, climb high on the left-hand side of the scoreboard.

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Belarus

Zena: Like It

Typical Euro dance-pop delivered by a pretty young singer and which should bring the stadium to life in Tel Aviv. Whether that will translate to enough votes to allow it to qualify is debatable. Generic Eurovision fodder, though. Borderline qualifier.

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Belgium

Eliot: Wake Up

Another credible entry from Belgium although Eliot's vocal sounds rather laboured. It feels as if the song is about to take off but then suddenly stalls, the chorus somehow not rescuing it. It's good, just not spectacular. Likely to qualify, but could struggle at the Final.

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Croatia

Roko: The Dream

Roko sings The Dream well and the song possesses a stirring chorus. Nevertheless, it sounds like a failed national final entry from the 1980s. Got to hand it to Roko though, he has the balls to wear a pair of ridiculous wings. Sadly, they only add to the overall out-of-date whiff of stale cheese. Non-qualifier.

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Cyprus

Tamta: Replay

Cyprus continue the club theme already offered up by last year's Fuego. In some respects, it is a better example of the genre with its brass riffs and mesmerisingly catchy chorus. This should perform very, very well but it could hinge on the staging and Tamta's live vocal abilities. Easy qualifier and could finish in the Top 5.

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Denmark

Leonora: Love is Forever

One of the early front runners, Denmark has dipped back in the betting. Not surprising, really. The song is way too twee, formulaic and safe. Leonora is a little difficult to watch as well. Sitting on a oversized chair/platform high above the stage, I'm not sure if her fixed stare is from the fear of falling or the fear of failing. Very borderline.

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Finland

Darude ft Sebastian Rejman: Look Away

House music come to Eurovision courtesy of the highly successful DJ/record producer. If you've heard his Sandstorm then you kinda know what to expect. Unfortunately, this is way too repetitive but could still qualify from a weaker semi-final 1 (or from his credentials, alone). Can't see it doing too well in the Final, though.

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Georgia

Oto Nemsadze: Keep On Going

Already touted as the entry that will be stuck to the bottom of the scoreboard when all is sung and done. It goes without saying that Oto may have an uphill struggle to garner many votes - particularly from the public. The song is a dark, dramatic ballad sung at full tilt - there's no denying Oto has a set of lungs on him - but the song may suffer from being TOO ethnic as well as TOO difficult to love (and comprehend)! An easy non-qualifier, I feel.

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Greece

Katerine Duska: Better Love

Compelling voice, compelling vocal and compelling production. Co-written by Fame Academy winner David Sneddon, Better Love feels as if it has a Top 10 finish about it. As long as the ideas behind the video translate well to the Tel Aviv stage then Greece can expect a ton of votes. Compelling (of course!)

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Hungary

Joci Pápai: Az én apám (My Father)

Joci returns to Eurovision with a mid-tempo ballad that captures elements of Hungarian folk music. Enhanced by his plaintive vocal, the song relates the joy and sadness of his boyhood memories. It's one of the few entries to be sung in a native language, thus could accomplish a reasonable result. Joci achieved ninth in 2017 and this latest effort could do as well or better.

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Iceland

Hatari: Hatrið mun sigra (Hatred Will Prevail)

One of possibly two entries with its own USP (possibly Portugal as well). BDSM techno/punk comes to Eurovision and it has really divided listeners/viewers. Very much a Marmite song, Hatari try to deliver shock visuals - writhing women in chicken wire together with sex shop rubber gear - alongside snarling shouty vocals over an, admittedly, irresistible backing rhythm. Entries with bizarre USPs tend to do well these days, although how the more conservative voters in Eastern Europe will react is anyone's guess. Could do very, very well or fall flat on its face!

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Thanks for reading!

Forever / ALEKSEEV / Belarus | Review

ALEKSEEV: 'Forever' grateful to Belarus

It's never plain sailing when it comes to Belarus choosing its Eurovision entry. Because of their sometime foolhardy attitude towards the rules, you can never be totally certain whether the national final winning singer and/or song will turn up for the big night months later.

This time, it wasn't the Belarusian delegation which was playing fast and loose with the rules but a judgement that a couple of the contestants had not been totally upfront about their songs. Among them the eventual winner, 24-year-old ALEKSEEV with his song Forever - a Ukrainian performer who started his career in 2014 when he reached the semi-final stages of Season 4 of  The Voice of Ukraine.

It transpired that a Russian language rendition of the entry had been sung at a handful of concerts prior to 1 September 2017, infringing Eurovision regulations stating that no song may have been made publicly available earlier than that date. The Belarusian broadcaster also specifies that no entries performing in the national final may have been released before that date.

However, after an investigation by the EBU, it appears that the landslide national final result will stand and ALEKSEEV will be allowed to perform Forever in Lisbon. In fact, the commotion over the perceived violation was more remarkable than the eventual song.

Forever is a totally adequate, if old-fashioned, pop composition - even by Eurovision standards. The whole thing is not helped by some very unreliable vocals which, at this stage, ALEKSEEV has not mastered in his live appearances. On the plus side, there is a memorable hook in the chorus but unfortunately it's the vocals and the poor execution that viewers are more likely to remember.

For that reason, rank outsider is the position in which Belarus will no doubt languish. I can't really see that changing and Forever becoming a contender – even if ALEKSEEV's impressive light show with the LED suit were allowed in Lisbon.

Sadly, the entry is straight out of Dima Bilan's songbook circa 2008 and highly unlikely to have the impact of, say, Believe (whatever your thoughts about that song). This feels like a few steps backwards from last year's worthy native language offering and, as such, could see Belarus miss out on a place in the final shakeup.

What do you think?

BELARUS 

Artist: ALEKSEEV

Song: Forever 

Semi-Final 1 | First Half

Eurovision 2017: Review: Belarus: Historyja majho žyccia

Belarus: NAVI (Band): Historyja majho žyccia

Belarus return for a fourteenth attempt at Eurovision glory following two consecutive years of failing to reach the grand final. This year NaviBand will fly the flag with the song Historyja majho žyccia which translates as Story of My Life.

NaviBand, best described as exponents of folk rock, was established in 2013 by the duo Arciom Lukjanienka and Ksienija Žuk. The following year, the pair released a couple of albums - notably recorded in Belorussian, as is this 2017 entry.

It's a bright and upbeat song which is heavily flavoured with recognisable traditional folk accents. A single acoustic guitar leads the frenetic beat, all of which is wrapped in a highly addictive - yet repetitive - 'hey hey' mantra. No doubt, this energetic hook will be familiar to anybody in any language, even if it does become increasingly annoying in the latter stages of the track.

Nevertheless, it's going to need that hook because, for the most part, foreign language entries have struggled to accumulate sufficient points to worry the left-hand side of the scoreboard - particularly among Western European voters. Therefore, the staging will play an important role in selling this entry.

NaviBand are good enough singers to turn the trick, already performing the song with pure enthusiasm and energy. But, the determining factor may be how the Belorussian team decide to stage the entry in Kiev. Lively, offbeat graphics tend to work best with this type of happy-clappy, joyful song.

It already feels like a borderline qualifier, though. But a bright and breezy performance, coupled with a positive staging package, could guarantee a berth in the final. Once there, the feeling is that it's likely to struggle for points - even as part of what is becoming an increasingly ballad-laden Contest.

7/10.

National Final Performance

Updated version of Historyja majho žyccia

Image: By Navi [Copyrighted free use], via Wikimedia Commons

Eurovision 2016: Review: Belarus: Ivan: Help You Fly

IVAN will represent Belarus in Stockholm

It's been a couple of weeks since ten songs took to the 600 Metrov stage in Minsk to compete to represent Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest. The winner, selected wholly by a public televote, was Belarusian-Russian singer Alexander Ivanov (aka IVAN) with the song Help You Fly.

In a contest that's usually resplendent with earnest love ballads and fluffy pop fodder, the presence of some catchy soft rock is a plus. Help You Fly  (formerly titled How to Fly ) has some songwriting pedigree behind it. Composed by both celebrated Russian producer Viktor Drobych (Buranovskiye Babushki's Party For Everybody) and American songwriter Mary Susan Applegate (Jennifer Rush's Power of Love), the song is an instant earworm and consequently makes for a memorable three minutes.

What is somewhat more forgettable is IVAN's stage presence and rigid performance technique. Although a young singer, his background is in heavy metal and rock, but his national final rendition brought none of the drama or showmanship of those genres to the table. Imagine the difference if Jon Bon Jovi or Chad Kroeger had got a hold of Help You Fly : pure rock theatre without the need for too many lighting tricks and trappings.

However, performing in a small television studio compared to the vastness of the Eurovision stage is worlds apart. IVAN has time now to fine tune the entire Belarusian package for Stockholm. There's a lot of work to do, but in the event that there's an improvement in the vocals and a rethink in the styling and the visuals, Help You Fly  could easily wing it through to the Final.

What do you think?

A Review: Belarus: Ruslan Aslanov: Volshebstvo

Ruslan Aslanox wins the Eurovision ticket for Belarus

There is no doubting that Belarus has the Junior Eurovision Song Contest figured out, even if its record at the senior level is somewhat underwhelming. Two wins, a second place and two third places is an impressive run of success in its twelve year history. In an attempt to enhance that admirable track record, the Belorussians ditched the Cheesecake at the weekend and voted for the more than competent Ruslan Aslanov, who will sing Volshebstvo (Magic/Sorcery) in Bulgaria.

A Hint of Belorussian Piracy

As with all things Belorussian in Eurovision, there is usually more than a hint of piracy of previously winning ideas - either in the construction of the song or in its presentation.

This time - based upon the display put forth in Minsk - it appears as if Team Belarus have 'borrowed' Sweden's triumphant graphics concept. No fist-pumping stick people on this occasion, but instead some simple interplay with a very colourful fantasy backdrop and several hologram butterflies.

A Failure to Impress

These canny graphics are generally employed in the augmentation of an otherwise prosaic entry. It would be gracious and polite to think differently about Volshebstvo, but in truth, you would have to be over-forgiving.

The ballad tries its damnedest to be dramatic but, when all is said and done, it boasts more than it actually delivers. In essence, a song which is 'all mouth and no trousers'.

Aslanov: A Singer of Note

That is not the fault of 13-year-old Ruslan Aslanov; for his age, he has a strong and attractive voice. At least it sounded so at the national final presentation, even if there was a suspicion of lip syncing. Nevertheless, a highly plausible conclusion for his resounding victory - from both the televote and the jury - is more likely the quality of his vocals and how he effortlessly handled this disappointingly bland song.

Dull or not, Eurovision fans have a habit of relying on a glaringly obvious key change in their songs in order to help pull in the votes. They'll be disappointed here, though. The key change has been substituted for that other ploy: the last minute prolonged glory note. Ruslan gives it as much welly as he can and, while there are never many guarantees in Eurovision, this alone should muster him some support.

A Lack of Substance?

Clearly, with only three nations having picked their songs, it's extremely difficult to make forecasts. As already noted, Belarus generally figures highly on the Junior scoreboard, so if it were a case of presentation (including vocals) over substance, then this entry would do well. As for the song in isolation, that's a different story.

What do you think?

Eurovision 2015: Belarus: Uzari & Maimuna: Time

Uzari and Maimuna: (Image Facebook)

The process of choosing the song to represent Belarus at the Eurovision Song Contest is not usually one which runs too smoothly - or, so it seems, without some kind of fallout.

This time, after a lineup of fifteen competitors fought for the right to represent the country in Vienna next year,  Uzari and Maimuna were ultimately crowned the winners with the song, Time.

For many, this was not the song that was predicted to win before the staging of the national final. That honour was bestowed upon the girl-group Milki and the song Accent, both a product of past Eurovision winner Alexander Rybak. As it turned out, neither the public vote nor the combined jury points placed Milki at the top of the pile, which prompted an angry outburst from the 2009 victor.

Rybak's consternation aside, the weighted votes of the jury put Time in first place, a full ten points ahead of the runner-up, Anastasia Malashkevich with Don't Save My Name. Having endured terrible audio on the internet feed from Minsk, practically all of the contenders sounded dreadful to me - including the much-lauded newcomers, Milki.

Uzari, however, has competed in the previous two Belorussian national finals without much luck, but combining talents with the beautiful violinist Maimuna has changed his fortunes - even if this wasn't a landslide victory.

Neither the public nor all of the members of the jury were behind Time. It's not surprising as the standard of all the songs was less than ideal.

Time tries to be a pop/rock song with classic overtones, courtesy of the violin. It starts off with promising drama, but that promise soon turns to disappointment as Uzari begins his vocals. The chorus sounds worse than the verses; a cat on heat is more in tune.

It's not only the vocals that let this song down. The lyrics leave something to be desired, as well. What exactly does "Time is like thunder" mean? Having read the text of the song, it looks mostly to be a collection of random words thrown together in the hope that they make sense. It's a shame really, as the melody and the hook are quite memorable.

How it fares in the Contest will be dependent on the staging and the set-up of the semi-finals, though. By any standards, the vocals will need improvement by May.

As it is now, I foresee Belarus failing to make the Grand Final. What are your thoughts?

Eurovision 2014: Belarus: Cheesecake

Even though there was a tie in the public and jury votes at the 2014 Belarus Eurovision National final, the jury vote prevailed and TEO will represent the nation with Cheesecake in Copenhagen.

 

Every now and again, the Eurovision Song Contest throws up a really good track. Unfortunately, Cheesecake is not one of them.

I really wanted to say something uplifting about the Belorussian entry, but quite honestly, it has no redeeming features. Quite obviously, the visuals are a blatant rip-off of the Robin Thicke hit, Blurred Lines and, try as hard as they might, the video comes across as a cheap and tacky copy. Some might say that this was the intention. Evidently, Belorussian humour must have passed me by.

What did make me laugh was the performance of this song at the National Final. TEO (aka Yuriy Vaschuk) reminded me of a drunk uncle at a wedding reception, staggering around the stage trying out his best Robin Thicke moves. Meanwhile, three backing singers hold up signs to mimic hashtags/visuals that look as if they were made by preschoolers in a craft class the previous day.

I think they may have helped him with the lyrics, too. Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray are thrown into a verse that doesn't scan, just for the hell of it. But, apparently, the most important element of the song is his efforts to escape his girlfriend who keeps calling him her 'cheesecake'. He'll even resort to the use of Google Maps to evade her company. After hearing this, none of us will need an atlas - running for the hills is the only option.

Okay, it's catchy - but so is the flu.

It's likely to qualify to the Final and then garner a few votes from people who should know better.

Eurovision 2013: Belarus: Solayoh

Alyona Lanskaya

Having been disqualified from the 2012 event, Alyona Lanskaya has returned to Eurovision in 2013 with the song Solayoh.

It seems tradition dictates that Belarus will change its original Eurovision choice and so it is not a surprise that it has happened again this year. Having selected Rhythm of Love at the Belarusian national final, news came in March that the local broadcaster had discarded that song in favour of Solayoh.

Written by Mark Paelinck and Martin King, it is typical Eurovision fodder. Latin influenced pop that will have the audience on its feet in Malmö, the song is certainly catchy and will no doubt remain in voters' minds.  The live version I heard (below) did not sound too good. Ms Lanskaya's vocals are all over the place, but perhaps she'll pull things together for her semi-final performance.

Solayoh is one of a handful of uptempo songs this year and has an excellent chance of progressing to the final. A top 15 placing, perhaps.

All will be revealed on May 14 when Alyona Lanskaya performs the song in eleventh place of the first semi-final. 7/10.

 

Solayoh (Eurovision Version)

Image By Serge Serebro, Vitebsk Popular News (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Eurovision 2012: Austria and Belarus Song Reviews

Over the past week, several nations have chosen their songs for Eurovision 2012, including Austria and Belarus. In fact, it's all change in Belarus as Alena Lanskaya has been thrown aside amid voting controversy. In her place comes the second placed act, Litesound.

However, let's start with Austria. They've chosen the wonderfully named duo Trackshittaz with the song Woki mit deim Popo, translated as Shake Your Ass. Resplendent with three pole dancers, the male duo have a good time shaking their rear ends to a track that sounds like something from The Beastie Boys' back catalogue. Lots of chanting, repetitive lyrics and a hip-hop beat that doesn't give up.

You're either going to love this one or hate it. Personally, I think it's a pile of TrackSHITtaz, but I have a sneaking feeling it will qualify for the final. 4/10.

On to Belarus, who we all thought had already decided upon its song. Originally, we thought it was Alena Lanskaya with All My Life, but her appearance at the semi-finals has been cut amid a row about some crafty voting irregularities. Step up boy band Litesound with the song, We Are the Heroes. Yes, leave it to Belarus to send a song with a title like that!

The song itself sounds a whole lot better than All My Life, but then so would a cat farting into a cup. We Are the Heroes is pretty much a generic power pop track with the drawback of some heavily accented vocals from the lead singer.

Depending on the strength of it competitors in its semi-final, the guitar thrashing, Eastern good looks and a relatively catchy chorus might see Belarus back in the Final. 5/10.

Eurovision 2012: Alena Lanskaya: All My Life

Belarus has now chosen its 2012 Eurovision song to be heard in Baku in May. It's sung by Alena Lanskaya and is called All My Life.

To be honest, I can't think of anything positive to describe the Belorussian song. It's bland, boring and holds as much interest as watching your next door neighbour's paint dry. I did listen to it three times to try and find some redeeming feature. Nope, couldn't find one.

Ms Lanskaya is attractive with a strong voice, but she quite obviously has problems with the English language. I couldn't understand a lot of what she was singing and, quite frankly, I couldn't care what she was singing about.

Belarus has been known to hastily change its song selection in the past and the powers-that-be would be well advised to do the same this year.(As we know, this is exactly what happened). Generously a 4/10.