Higher Ground / Rasmussen / Denmark | Review

Rasmussen to take the Higher Ground in Lisbon

In the lead-up to the recent Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, Rasmussen had been the bookmaker's favourite to triumph with the Viking-influenced anthem Higher Ground. For once, their prediction was spot-on. From an otherwise fairly bland collection, the Danes overwhelmingly endorsed the 32-year-old singer/actor in the super-final with 50% of the vote. 

It's probably no surprise as Higher Ground pulls in threads from Nordic cultural heritage with distinct references to the Vikings. The song succeeds in creating a dark and moody tone, integrating a potent drumbeat along with the embellishment of macho grunts and chants. All this and a memorable chorus, too!

With those references established, the lyrics offer a surprising counterpoint to the generally accepted notion of the Viking culture. Finding peaceful solutions to any violent hostility is the message here; a sentiment expressed by Magnus Erlendsson, a Viking who refused to fight because of his religious convictions.

So, with the explicit theme of the song defined, it’s not difficult to conceive what's going to happen onstage with this - after all, there was more than a hint of the plans at DMGP.

With such an eye-catching presentation, the whole package suggests that Higher Ground is liable to do precisely what the Danes require of it – get them effortlessly into the final and calmly stack up sufficient points for a creditable finish.

I'm not totally convinced, but this is the entry that seems to have gone to the top of many Eurovision fans' lists so far - an early indication that it could do quite well. However, it's by no means a certainty with around three quarters of the songs still unannounced.

DENMARK 

Artist: Rasmussen

Song: Higher Ground 

Semi-Final 2 | First Half

Eurovision 2016: Review: Denmark: Lighthouse X: Soldiers of Love

Lighthouse X will soldier on for Denmark

Even with Emmelie de Forest's name on the writing credits of one of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix's finalists, the Danish public instead preferred the wholesome look and sound of Lighthouse X with their song, Soldiers of Love.

Mind you, it was a close run thing. Anja Nissen managed to sing her way into the runners-up position with the aforementioned Emmelie's co-composed Never Alone, scoring 36% of the public vote against the victor's 42% - both pushing Simone's Heart Shaped Hole into a distant third place.

In fact, pre-final opinion seemed to favour either of the two girls to progress, but shaky vocals and inferior presentations were the nails in their respective coffins. That's not to say that Lighthouse X were particularly special in either of those departments. It's just their appeal lay with a different, and more voter-friendly, demographic.

That said, Soldiers of Love is not all bad. It has a rousing chorus, which gets into your head after a couple of listens and, with the right staging, the whole package could become quite memorable.

The problem, though, is with Lighthouse X themselves. Last year, Denmark went for a 60s beat group pastiche which ultimately flopped in the semi-finals. This year, these three lads are trying hard to be the country's version of Take That. Unfortunately, they possess neither the live vocal quality nor the unquestionable charisma of the British boyband.

While the song may be more current than Denmark's 2015 effort, nevertheless the whole concept harks back to Take That's heyday of the 1990s - only it's more beige and predictable than it is bold.

While this safe attitude will likely see the boys qualify from their semi-final - the second half of the second one - it's unlikely to see them score well in the final. At best, this entry is destined for a mid-table finish.

What do you think?

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Eurovision 2014: Denmark: Cliché Love Song

Basim: Courtesy Facebook

Three weeks have passed since the final of this year's Dansk Melodi Grand Prix in Odense, Denmark. As we now know, Basim and his Cliché Love Song won the Superfinal and will head the short distance to Copenhagen as the Danish representative.

Basim is not unknown in Denmark, having appeared on the country's version of The X-Factor in 2008. Though he was voted out at the quarterfinal stage, he has maintained a presence on both Danish television and in the nation's music charts.

Cliché Love Song follows a series of hits for the young singer - it currently sits at Number 5 in the Danish Top 40, having peaked at Number 2 - but this one is undoubtedly his biggest.

Basim describes it as a pop song with "a hint of soul and R&B". I can't argue with that, but you may be forgiven for thinking that there is more than a hint of Bruno Mars in the track and the presentation. I'm pretty sure I've heard that whistle on one of Bruno's songs and the melody and vocal styling are very familiar.

Of course, Basim is not alone in his overly generous nod to the current music scene. Belarus's TEO has done exactly the same thing with his Blurred Lines ripoff, Cheesecake. The difference between that and Cliché Love Song is that the latter is really quite enjoyable. Others must be thinking the same thing as Denmark's odds are growing shorter by the day. They are currently listed as fourth favourite by some bookies.

That betting may not be too way off the mark. With an automatic pass to the final this year, Denmark already have a slight advantage: performing 23rd on the night. Combine that with a home crowd, an energetic performance and a memorable toe-tapper of a tune and I wouldn't be surprised to see Denmark's name close to the top of the scoreboard again.