Guest review by Peter Clancy

The third Guest review comes from Peter Clancy, an Irish megafan living in Belgium and a member of OGAE Sweden. That sort of cocktail should give us some interesting views.... Here's what he has to say:
"What's another year" in relation to you "making your mind up" between "all kinds of everything" in this years batch of Eurovision entries. This year they are also quite varied with a splash of the new mixed with the familiar "eurovision" song, some are experimental and some just mental!

(Note: The "(f)" indicates I think this song will go through to the final. )

Montenegro (f): This will be a very lively opening to ESC2009 - and I'm sure it will do very well - a typical eurovision type song with a lot of potential. I expect it to go through to the final, and it will probably get into the top half. 7/10
Czech Republic: Unfortunately the Czech Republic hasn't sent it's strongest entry, unless this can come across as a fun song, it won't get many votes. I don't expect it to get to the final. 4/10

Belgium (f): An interesting song that will appeal to Elvis fans all over, fun, pleasant on the ear, I expect a good show and if it is performed well, it should go through to the final, however, I don't expect it to get to the top 10. 7/10

Belarus: This type of rock song has proven popular in the past and I'm sure it will get a lot of votes though I'm not convinced it will get to the final. 6/10

Sweden (f): Malena is Swedens choice this year, a great voice, interesting song, it will have wide appeal, and should get a lot of votes - possibly all the Nordic ones. It should go through to the final and will be one of the favourites to win - though if she gets into the top 5 she will have done very well. 9/10

Armenia: This song starts off in a very mystical way, which gives it a lot of promise, then it just falls flat after the first 30 seconds. A very weak song which won't get many votes. 2/10

Andorra (f): a light cheery song which Susanna sings very well, it should get to the final, but when in the final it will not be in the top 10. 6/10

Switzerland (f): the second rock song of the first semi, this is much better than Belarus, and it will appeal to the Pet Shop Boy fans out there - nostalgic for the thirty somethings out there !! It will probably get to the final, though it won't be in the top 10. 7/10

Turkey (f): Hadise has a song that will have wide appeal, and could be a winner - she is certain to get the Turkish diaspora vote, along with many more. Certain that this will get through to the final, and will be one of the favourites! 8/10

Israel: Israel's entry this year is pleasant but I think they will be in the lower half of the placings - I don't think it will get to the final. 5/10

Bulgaria: Illusion will do very well on the dancefloors in Moscow all during the week, and will be played at Eurovision parties all over. However, I don't think it will appeal to enough people to get to the final. 6/10

Iceland (f): A nice contrast to the various songs so far will give respite to the listener, and will have a positive effect on the voting. A nice song that will get a lot of votes and go to the final - probably also gets into the top 10. 8/10

FYROM: Yet another rock song and will probably do really well given a combination of the "neighbouring country" voting and a considerable Western European vote. They will get to the final, but will probably not be in the top 10 as the song just isn't strong enough. 7/10

Romania: the singing is ok, the song is ok but I don't think it's going to get enough votes to go to the final! 5/10

Finland (f): Waldo's people were chosen to try to recapture that winning feeling from 2006. Though there was some controversy about the melody, the song is catchy and nicely put together. The danger with fast/rap songs is that they are not always performed well on the night. If it is performed well it will go through to the final, and then I would expect a top 10 placing. 9/10

Portuga l (f): Yet another pleasant song from Portugal - trying to capture a prize that has eluded them for so many years, I have no doubt that this will get through to the final, but I don't think it is strong enough to win. The melody is nice. It captures a mediterranean feel, and is sung well. 7/10

Malta (f): Chiara's third attempt. A nice song, though not the best of the three she has performed on the Eurovision stage to date. Still she will get through to the final, and I would expect her to be in the top 5, perhaps one of the favourites. 9/10

Bosnia & Herzegovina: I have listened to this song a number of times, it is not bad, a nice buildup, a bit christmasy - but I don't think it will get sufficient votes in the semi to get to the final. 5/10

Croatia: A pretty boring song, after listening it a number of times the only question popping into my mind was "what were they thinking when they sent this?" - no further comment. 3/10

Ireland (f): My home country has at last broken the Johnny Logan mould, and moved away from the traditional style, producing what is one of the best entries in a number of years. I am sure this will get to the final, and it will appeal to a lot of twenty & thirty somethings - expect it to end half way down in the final - I don't think we'll be in Dublin next year. 7/10

Latvia: I spent some time trying to determine if I missed anything good in this song .. I didn't - sorry Latvia, but please pick something decent next year!! 1/10

Serbia: A disappointing entry for Serbia - not quite easy on the ear, and I don't see them getting many votes except from some old reliables. I don't expect this to get beyond the last 5 in the semi-final (comes under the “mental” type of song). 3/10

Poland: Nice ballady song, and will give a nice contract the Serbia beforehand, but it's not a very strong song. It will get a number of points and might get to the final, but I won't be betting on it. 6/10

Norway (f): An interesting song, and very popular - not always the best way to enter the contest - remember Kate Ryan in 2006 - she didn't even get to the final. Still though I am sure Alexander will get to the final, and will be one of the favourites - but with the voting it's hard to tell if it will be enough! Finland, Sweden & Denmark also have strong entries which will split the Nordic vote, but the song might have broad appeal. 8/10

Cyprus: A nice song which breaks the mould of the stereotypical Eurovision song - and it will be a nice contrast to Norway. I would like to see it get through, though it is a style that may not appeal to enough people. 8/10

Slovakia (f): I found this too slow and actually a bit boring. It just doesn't do anything for me! But my taste aside, the song is well structured technically, and might come across well in the semi-final. 6/10

Denmark (f): Brinck should prove to be very popular, it's a nice song, strong and simple melody, and of course having Ronan Keatings name added will give some extra oomph. As mentioned already the Nordic vote will probably be split this year, though this song should have appeal across the continent. It will get to the final, and should be in the top 10. 9/10

Slovenia: Not particularly strong, quite predictable in the Eurovision sense, but not a vote-puller. 3/10

Hungary (f): Not a bad song, it moves pretty well, though it’s not my style, it could appeal to many people. Easy on the ear - though I don't see it winning. 6/10

Azerbaijan (f): I love the opening of this, and that will attract a lot of attention - if performed well this could prove to be the dark horse of the competition - I predict a top 5 in the final! 9/10

Greece (f): Sakis is back - the stage will have to be cleared for some more acrobatics - not seen since 2003! The song is good, lively, spirited and I expect it will have a polished performance. It will go through to the final, and will be in the top 10, but I don't think it will win. 7/10

Lithuania (f): the piano opening is good, a bit "Queen" in style, but it works pretty well - I expect it to go to the final. 7/10

Moldova: I'm not so sure about whether this will go through. The ethnic opening followed by the cacophonic trumpets could either be loved or hated by the listeners - the important thing is to hit the middle voters - this won't do it!! 4/10

Albania (f): Very catchy, nice build up, and it will get a lot of votes - I have no doubt it will get to the final, if so, I expect it to end in the top 10. 8/10

Ukraine: I don't particularly like this, and I'm not sure it will capture the impagination of the people listening at home. 4/10

Estonia (f): This is an interesting song, a bit of mystery, but not overdone - I think it will get through to the final, but I'm not sure. 6/10

Netherlands (f): Great opening - very Eurovision, and the melody is really nice. The Netherlands has been given lower points in the last years than they deserved, I would really like to see them get to the final - but it will be tight. Score: 7/10

Spain: I like it, Spain has a chance of doing very well with this - perhaps even winning! It's very catchy. 9/10
UK: Andrew Lloyd Webber has done his job in producing a nice song, though it is a bit bland - I had expected a little more razzle-dazzle from him. Jade has a great voice which will raise the crowd and the simplicity of the song will gain votes. I hope they will do better than they have done over the last years, and I predict a top 5 placing - though not a winner. 8/10

Russia: It's certainly not the worst song in the competition, but it’s really not very good. They will probably get a lot of votes but I don't expect them to be in the top 5. 5/10

Germany: I'm not impressed with the entry - from my perspective this will end in the lower half of the final. 6/10

France: Patricia Kaas is singing what can only be described as a typical French song. While it is a nice song, I don't think it will appeal sufficiently to a broad enough audience to get many votes. I don't expect this to finish in the top half of the draw. 7/10

Final prediction: In the final, I expect that the top 5 positions will be between Turkey, Malta, Norway, Azerbaijan and the UK - with Turkey winning