BlogIlkar Guest Review vol.1

Rafael De Alba who has participated in the Spanish selections twice already has kindly reviewed the Finnish entries for us. He may have something in his sleeve himself this year again and I just loved his entry One more chance last year, and Quedate hoy the year before. This is his MySpace. Here is his review:

Anastacia – lovely to hear the native language. I also like the Spanish/arabesque reminiscence of the arrangements. I don’t find enough melodic variation on this song though, it does not seem to go anywhere and it isn’t easy to the ear. 2/5

Cider Hill – pleasant ballad but it doesn’t capture my attention until well into the second minute. The bridge and final build up are lovely, though. It grows and it will grow on me, I am sure. 3/5

You Don’t Know Tomorrow - A more contemporary track. I can’t help but think that the staging of this track could really enhance it or destroy it, which makes me think I am not sure it has enough strength by itself. The final chorus resolves the song very nicely, but then again, a rather strange end. 2/5

America (I think I love you) – I adore this! It reminds me of Manic Street Preaches, which I love. A well-constructed piece of harmless, melodic rock 5/5

Il mondo e qui – I love Italian language, but I think this would have just about challenged the Spanish entry En Un Mundo Nuevo back in 1971. I am not sure this type of style has any room in today’s Eurovision. 1/5

Play – I love those guitars. Nice pop-rock, should do well in Europe if it gets through. Strong reminiscence of Vanilla Ninja’s “Cool Vibes”. 5/5

Sun puolella – A beautiful ballad, very much my cup of tea! I don’t understand the words, but the feeling does get through, and I feel it is very faithful to the Scandinavian style, and to good old Eurovision. I love the arrangements too. It gets my vote. 5/5

Annankadun kulmassa – Mmmm. Good idea in principle, but I am a bit puzzled with this one, and I am not sure this is the appropriate song for Europe. 1/5

Love at the First Sight – A nice proposal, but having heard ‘Play’ I would rate this one slightly lower, as the melody is more repetitive and less exciting. 3/5

Kerro mulle rakkaudesta – this tattooed, tough man brings a very solid proposal and I will definitely add it to my ipod. I am not sure this would be a firm competitor for the ESC though, but does it matter? 4/5

Sydän ymmärtää – I really like the catchy, sixties edge to this track, and I can see its contemporary relevance. On a negative note, the slightly complex melody in the chorus makes the track a little unconventional and one listening alone might not suffice to persuade voters. 3/5

Heaven or Hell – great voice, contemporary track. Love this one, it gets going straight away. Great pop. 4/5

Työlki ellää – great folk song, I don’t know much but it does sound very Finnish! I have the feeling eurofans would love this one very much. A Finnish response to last year’s Fairytale? This is the sort of song that does really well live. 4/5

Fatal moment – another big pop-rock entry, would definitely fill up the Eurovision arena with good vibes, and I love the key changes. Not sure it’s a Eurovision winner though. 3/5

Hulluna humpasta – Nope, sorry (unless the lyrics are really ingenious, but I cannot understand it, sorry!). I don’t see the point in humorous entries unless they can provide musical value. This one definitely doesn’t. It sounds like a bunch of drunken men in a pub. Painful to listen to. 0/5

This is my review after listening to each song once. I hope I haven’t offended anyone’s taste. I have listened to those I rated highly for a second time, and now my top three: "Buenas noches, Helsinki. Here is the result of the Spanish jury:

3^rd place: Play. A great track. Should do well in Europe.

2^nd place: Sun puolella. I personally love this one from beginning to end.

1^st place: America (I think I love you). I have serious doubts about the naïvety of the pro-American lyrics, yet the music itself is too good to disregard, and I am sure it would do well. I must confess I was very close to choosing Sun puolella as the overall winner, and I might change my mind by tomorrow!!!

Overall I think eurofans in Finland are very lucky to have really good quality proposals to choose from. Love to Finland!!! I have such great memories of Helsinki, I would love to come back in 2011. Best of luck!

BlogIlkar thanks Rafael for this review and ... more about him soon! Right here!

Comments

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Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

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