Here comes another review. This time by Peter Clancy who has already done that last year. He should fly the flag for Belgium, Ireland and Sweden. Does he do that? Read here:
First SF
Moldova
After their failure of luring the Euroivision voters by Grandma and her drum a few years ago, they seem to be going for the failed approach of Belgium .. this type of beat and song hasn't worked for Belgium, Finaland or Iceland in the past, it probably won't work this year either. It may scrape to the final, but even if it does it won't be in the top 10. 4/10
Russia
Its hard to see russia even get to the final with this - low quality by comparison to some of their previous entries. The singer swallows his voice and the song is more fitted for a 1950s wedding than a Eurovision of the 21st century. 4/10
Estonia
This is a risky song and may push the boundaries of point gathering - however, it will get a few neighbourly points which may push it to the final, but it will not be a contender - actually it's a bit boring - a bit disappointing for Estonia, but it does beat the vegetable song of a few years ago. 5/10
Slovakia
Strong song, nice feeling, mystic - it will appeal to a lot of people across Europe, the pickup in the beat will also make this very popular and catchy. 9/10 (Qualifies for final)
Finland
the "Moja Stikla" of 2010 - a vibrant, simple number, a great drinking song, and given that some people will need to be pretty drunk to last through the final, they will get lots of points. I don't expect this to win, but it will be very popular. Definitely the final, and probably a top 10 placing. 8/10 (Qualifies for final)
Latvia
Given the financial difficulties currently in Latvia they will be happy when they realise this really is not a contender, though it is not a bad song. 4/10
Serbia
Similar to Poland, Serbia has chosen a more ethnic-type song - this is not good quality and will not do well. I doubt it will make the final. 4/10
Bosnia-Herzegovina
A nice entry to the song, but the classical-rock doesn't seem to work very well. This will get a lot of points, and will get to the final, but won't have sufficient appeal to win the competition. 7/10 (Qualifies for final)
Poland
This could be a bit too ethnic even for the Eurovision - musically a really nice experiment - and actually could be quite catching however, I don't see it do very well in the competition - I don't think it will make the final - still personally I like it. 7/10 (Qualifies for final)
Belgium
Poland
This could be a bit too ethnic even for the Eurovision - musically a really nice experiment - and actually could be quite catching however, I don't see it do very well in the competition - I don't think it will make the final - still personally I like it. 7/10 (Qualifies for final)
Belgium
A surprisingly good song, simple & nice melody. There are advantages of English and ballad which generally appeal to a broader audience. Easy listening, good variety. Definitely in the final, though with little diaspora in Europe, it's difficult to see it win. 9/10 (Qualifies for final)
Malta
Another Chiara-type song, which has served Malta well from a points perspective, but it doesn't stand out far enough this year. Better luck next year Malta. 5/10 (Qualifies for final)
Albania
good beat, the song will get points, if the act is equally good it will do well. Definite for the final, though I don't think it will be a winner. 6/10 (Qualifies for final)
Greece
Great song, will get a lot of people up and dancing - another great drinking song. This will get a lot of points, and will be in the top ten in the final. 8/10 (Qualifies for final)
Portugal
Another nice caberet style song from Portugal, which I am sure will get to the final. Very pleasant to listen to and will get a lot of votes - not a winner though. 7/10 (Qualifies for final)
FYROM
Normally a strong contender in the Eurovision and gains from political voting, but this year I don't expect it to go through to the final. 3/10
Belarus
interesting song, good beat, though I am not sure it will appeal to the broader European audience. Similar songs have not done very well in the last years. Of course it will benefit from friendly neighbourhood voting. It will make the final, but it will not win. 5/10
Iceland
Nice song, If Hera does as well as Chiara has done in the past that will be good - but I don't see her repeat the Icelands performance of last year. Expect it get to the final, but not in the top 10. 6/10 (Qualifies for final)
Second SF
Lithuania
not much I can say about this, but I don't expect it to go through to the final - it's too experimental. 3/10
Armenia
a nice oriental type opening will get the attention of the listeners, but it's not a very strong melody. Don't expect it to do very well, though it should get to the final, 5/10
Israel
Nice song, but it sounds like the singer is in too much pain. I will probably get to the final, but it will be lost among the other entries. 7/10 (Qualifies for final)
Denmark
nice duet, some of which do well at the Eurovision. It reminds me of the Sting (every breath she takes), but a nice melody, good song, and could be a strong contender in the final. 8/10 (Qualifies for final)
Switzerland
this song will get a lot of votes because of the French. I'm not sure it will be enough to win, but I do think it will get to the final. 7/10
Sweden
A nice flowing ballad, sung with lots of feeling and it's performed very well. It will have to be a special performance on the night, but if it does perform well it could be in the top 3. The type of song that could appeal across all countries. a possible winner. 9/10 (Qualifies for final)
Azerbaijan
nice flow to the song, pretty strong contender - nice balance between balad and rock type feeling - will go through to the final and could do very well. 9/10 (Qualifies for final)
Ukraine
Nice ballad, not sure that Alyosha has the voice to appeal to a wide enough public to get a lot of votes. A bit disappointing for Ukraine. I don't see this making it to the final. 6/10Malta
Another Chiara-type song, which has served Malta well from a points perspective, but it doesn't stand out far enough this year. Better luck next year Malta. 5/10 (Qualifies for final)
Albania
good beat, the song will get points, if the act is equally good it will do well. Definite for the final, though I don't think it will be a winner. 6/10 (Qualifies for final)
Greece
Great song, will get a lot of people up and dancing - another great drinking song. This will get a lot of points, and will be in the top ten in the final. 8/10 (Qualifies for final)
Portugal
Another nice caberet style song from Portugal, which I am sure will get to the final. Very pleasant to listen to and will get a lot of votes - not a winner though. 7/10 (Qualifies for final)
FYROM
Normally a strong contender in the Eurovision and gains from political voting, but this year I don't expect it to go through to the final. 3/10
Belarus
interesting song, good beat, though I am not sure it will appeal to the broader European audience. Similar songs have not done very well in the last years. Of course it will benefit from friendly neighbourhood voting. It will make the final, but it will not win. 5/10
Iceland
Nice song, If Hera does as well as Chiara has done in the past that will be good - but I don't see her repeat the Icelands performance of last year. Expect it get to the final, but not in the top 10. 6/10 (Qualifies for final)
Second SF
Lithuania
not much I can say about this, but I don't expect it to go through to the final - it's too experimental. 3/10
Armenia
a nice oriental type opening will get the attention of the listeners, but it's not a very strong melody. Don't expect it to do very well, though it should get to the final, 5/10
Israel
Nice song, but it sounds like the singer is in too much pain. I will probably get to the final, but it will be lost among the other entries. 7/10 (Qualifies for final)
Denmark
nice duet, some of which do well at the Eurovision. It reminds me of the Sting (every breath she takes), but a nice melody, good song, and could be a strong contender in the final. 8/10 (Qualifies for final)
Switzerland
this song will get a lot of votes because of the French. I'm not sure it will be enough to win, but I do think it will get to the final. 7/10
Sweden
A nice flowing ballad, sung with lots of feeling and it's performed very well. It will have to be a special performance on the night, but if it does perform well it could be in the top 3. The type of song that could appeal across all countries. a possible winner. 9/10 (Qualifies for final)
Azerbaijan
nice flow to the song, pretty strong contender - nice balance between balad and rock type feeling - will go through to the final and could do very well. 9/10 (Qualifies for final)
Ukraine
Netherlands
It was hard to hide my astonishment when I heard the song the Netherlands had chosen. I hope they realise that if you enter a song like this you can't expect to get votes. An insulting entry (no disprespect to the writer, it's just the wrong song for this competition). Definitely will not get to the final. 1/10
Romania
Good song, good beat and quite catchy - could appeal to a lot of people. It iwll get a lot of votes, certainly through to the final, but probably not top 10. Fun song, a party hit. 7/10 (Qualifies for final)
Slovenia
Romania
Good song, good beat and quite catchy - could appeal to a lot of people. It iwll get a lot of votes, certainly through to the final, but probably not top 10. Fun song, a party hit. 7/10 (Qualifies for final)
Slovenia
What a montage of different styles and sounds in one song, sonds very 70s, at least there's a bit of a beat, but it's not at all good enough for 2010. 2/10
Ireland
Sounds like a flashback to the style of the 90s which served Ireland so well, however, I'm not so sure it will work in 2010. Niamh still has a great voice, and it would be good to see Ireland do well again after a few bad years. Expect this to be in the final, and maybe even in the top 10. 7/10 (Qualifies for final)
Bulgaria
a bit "eurovisiony", the speend and repetitiveness of the song could be it's undoing. It will get good neighbourhood voting, but it is not a very strong song. Probably to the final, but will not be a winner. 6/10
Cyprus
Nice entry to the song, and generally a nice song, but is a bit dated, pretty sure it will get to the final, but it will not be acontender. 7/10 (Qualifies for final)
Croatia
Strong contender for the final, very nice song, nicely structured, will definitely appeal to the abandoned grannys and the grandkids on the saturday night. Will get a lot of votes across the spectrum. Definitely final, and possibly top 5. 9/10 (Qualifies for final)
Georgia
A strong contender this year, it would be a very worthy winner, a strong melody, great feeling and great buildup. Expect this to be in the top 5 in the final. 9/10 (Qualifies for final)
Turkey
Good strong song, good beat, catch from the start and a nice buildup. It's got a catchy tune, and could do well -with the Turkish diaspora it will get through to the final, but will probably not win. 7/10 (Qualifies for final)
Permanent Finalists
France
This is quite a good song, and will have a lot of appeal, however, it's a bit repetitive, but it is very catchy. It will certainly be a hit at all the Eurovision parties all over the place during the Eurovision weekend ... 8/10
Germany
The song is nto the str'ongest and I don't see it getting many points, however, it will at least be in the final... 4/10
Norway
Nice anthem, though I'm not sure that Didrik will be able to pull this off live. At times his voice seems a bit shaky. 6/10
Spain
A really nice ballad, will get a lot of points. It's catchy and flows nicely. It's not a winner but will do Spain proud. 7/10
UK
good beat, clearly a manufactured song for eurovision - bland but still unique enough to be "new" - don't expect this to be in the top 20. 6/10
Ireland
Sounds like a flashback to the style of the 90s which served Ireland so well, however, I'm not so sure it will work in 2010. Niamh still has a great voice, and it would be good to see Ireland do well again after a few bad years. Expect this to be in the final, and maybe even in the top 10. 7/10 (Qualifies for final)
Bulgaria
a bit "eurovisiony", the speend and repetitiveness of the song could be it's undoing. It will get good neighbourhood voting, but it is not a very strong song. Probably to the final, but will not be a winner. 6/10
Cyprus
Nice entry to the song, and generally a nice song, but is a bit dated, pretty sure it will get to the final, but it will not be acontender. 7/10 (Qualifies for final)
Croatia
Strong contender for the final, very nice song, nicely structured, will definitely appeal to the abandoned grannys and the grandkids on the saturday night. Will get a lot of votes across the spectrum. Definitely final, and possibly top 5. 9/10 (Qualifies for final)
Georgia
A strong contender this year, it would be a very worthy winner, a strong melody, great feeling and great buildup. Expect this to be in the top 5 in the final. 9/10 (Qualifies for final)
Turkey
Good strong song, good beat, catch from the start and a nice buildup. It's got a catchy tune, and could do well -with the Turkish diaspora it will get through to the final, but will probably not win. 7/10 (Qualifies for final)
Permanent Finalists
France
This is quite a good song, and will have a lot of appeal, however, it's a bit repetitive, but it is very catchy. It will certainly be a hit at all the Eurovision parties all over the place during the Eurovision weekend ... 8/10
Germany
The song is nto the str'ongest and I don't see it getting many points, however, it will at least be in the final... 4/10
Norway
Nice anthem, though I'm not sure that Didrik will be able to pull this off live. At times his voice seems a bit shaky. 6/10
Spain
A really nice ballad, will get a lot of points. It's catchy and flows nicely. It's not a winner but will do Spain proud. 7/10
UK
good beat, clearly a manufactured song for eurovision - bland but still unique enough to be "new" - don't expect this to be in the top 20. 6/10
Conclusion: This year there are no particular songs that stand out enough to be likely winners - which will probably result in a very fragmented vote. This could result in a dark horse winning - perhaps one that isn't expected. for me the top 5 with a chance of winning (in no particular order are: Azerbaijan, Belgium, Croatia, Georgia & Slovakia. Germany will have the best result of the 5 permanent finalists.
Last place will be a good fight too - The Netherlands, Slovenia, Lithuania and Macedonia will be going for that "honour" No matter what we all think, we will know the result soon enough ... Enjoy !!
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