Well, after guest reviews and comments after national finals and along the way maybe it's time I sum up the songs, too? First of all I'd like to press the fact most people hear (and see) the songs for the very first time on the night, unlike we fans. We analyze and speculate and base our opinions on facts like "she finally won the national final after zillion tries" that regular viewers doesn't know or care about. They hardly remember Niamh Kavanagh or Feminnem have been to Eurovision before. All they know is what their country's commentator tells them. Period. So, therefor I have also added the "First impression" factor to my judgement.
MOLDOVA - Sunstroke Project ft. Olia Tira - Run away
Well, what can I say? A good opener for the show and I like the instrumental parts of the song a lot. But this is long three minutes and the song doesn't go anywhere unfortunately. There's a high risk this won't work well on stage but results as a messy chaos. On the other hand it's the only song in this genre this year but did it help Waldo's People last year either?
First impression: **
Performer: **
Song: **
Staging:**
Staging:**
Qualification: Propably.
RUSSIA - Peter Nalitch & Friends - Lost and forgotten
This is the one I was very curious to see in Oslo 2010. Have their changed the staging? Their look? No they haven't. Most fans seem to dislike this with passion, with a very few exceptions. I must say I liked this a bit in a weird way when I first heard it. Or rather heard it for the second time as when I watched the Russian final I didn't pay any attention to this, good or bad. There's something in this that will appeal to the melancholy Slavic souls. And it's too easy to make jokes about the title....
First impression: *
Performer: **
Song: *
Staging:*
Staging:*
Qualification: Most likely. Because it's Russia.
ESTONIA - Malcolm Lincoln - Siren
Well, I admit. I don't get this. And propably majority of Europeans won't either. A bit too artistic for me in a wrong way. Will get some votes but rather from the snobbish jurors than televoters. But it's not bad. Just not my cup of tea.
First impression: * or rather "?"
Performer: ****
Song: **
Staging:**
Staging:**
Qualification: I doubt it.
SLOVAKIA - Kristina Pelakova - Horehronie
A perfect cocktail of Eurovision successes of the 2000's. Will it be enough in 2010? Most fans seem to agree and indeed it has it all: ethnic vibe, half dressed muscle marys dancing around a pretty girl and even a hallelujah dressed with a pop topping. The weakest link might be Kristina herself. On the other hand if she gets it togerher vocally and doesn't look so scared we have a real contender in our hands. Catchy and memorable.
First impression: *****
Performer: ***
Song: *****
Staging:****
Staging:****
Qualification: A must.
FINLAND - Kuunkuiskaajat - Työlki ellää
Obviously I'm a bit partial here but I like the song, the girls are hilarious and have the sparkle on stage with good vocals. When this was chosen there was no trace of the fact that 2010 would be such an ethno year so that troubles me a bit. But this should appeal to the Slavic melancholy again, and some westerners might like it, too. Happy tune á la 80's Israel so the shouts and hand clapping along should get the attention of the televoters!
First impression: ****
Performer: ****
Song: ****
Staging:*****
Staging:*****
Qualification: I pray, I pray.
LATVIA - Aisha - What for?
This is a hard one. Her vocals in the Latvian final left a lot to be desired so I'm not so sure how it will be on the big night in Oslo 2010. There's something hypnotic about the song so if she manages to keep the attention on her and not making the people at home have a fridge break she might just make it to the final. I absolutely love the dancemix of the song but that has nothing to do with this version.
First impression: **
Perfomer: **
Song: **
Staging:*
Qualification: A big maybe.
SERBIA- Milan Stankovic - Ovo je Balkan
I have a trouble with this. I mean I disliked this strongly when it was selected but it has grown in me and I just love it now! Should I trust my first impression or think it as a whole? Milan's look is rather disturbing, and it seems I'm not the only one to think so, I'm afraid. He has great vocals and voice though. This is yet another ethnopop songs and will surely get a lot of votes from the Balcans but will the others get it?
First impression: *
Performer: ****
Song: ***
Staging: ****
Qaulification: Most likely.
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA - Vukasin Brajic - Thunder and lightning
My first impression for this was way better than my judgement now. And I preferred the Bosnian version, this English one just sounds fake. Vukasin performs it well but the overal impact is nothing to write home about if not boredom? He's much better than the song. Shame.
First impression: **
Performer: ***
Song: **
Staging: **
Qualification: Don't think so.
POLAND - Marcin Mrzocinski - Legenda
Yet another ethnopop song! Very interesting mix though and Marcin performs it well. But is it too much to swallow for an average televoter? Hopefully the jurors will see what a great song this is! If they can put aside the weird staging!
First impression: ****
Performer: ****
Song: ****
Staging: *
Qualification: 50-50
BELGIUM - Tom Dice - Me and my guitar
When we last had such a ballad filled year the most simple one of them, Rock'n roll kids, won. Sometimes less is more and if Tom comes across confident and sweet enough at the same time he might just bring the trophy back to Belgium from Norway, just like Sandra Kim did. Tom and his guitar are fitted for the song, the whole package is very honest and believable. The only problem is if it's memorable enough?
First impression: *****
Performer: ***
Song: ****
Staging: *****
Qualification: Sure
MALTA - Thea Garrett - My dream
Most fans seem to think this is plain boring ballad. What if Chiara sung this? They would propably love it. Mind you, I never was a Chiara fan and I find Thea adorable, besides having a fantastic voice. The song is beautiful. Maybe nothing new and not so original but to me it isn't kitchy or plastic, I find it kind of honest. In short, I like it. A lot.
First impression: ****
Performer: *****
Song: ****
Staging: ****
Qualification: It should.
ALBANIA - Juliana Pasha - It's all about you
This is a favourite by many and indeed it is not bad at all. But it is a bit aggressive and aggressiviness isn't exactly the key to win Eurovision. However, being one of the few uptempo songs it stands out and Juliana seems confident enough to sell it. Unless they ruin it with some weird staging.
First impression: ***
Performer: ***
Song: ***
Staging: **
Qualification: It will.
GREECE - Giorgos Alkaios & friends - Opa
Surprisingly Greece isn't amongst the big favourites this year amongst the fans. What if this was performed by a half naked model type sex guy or gal? Then things might be different. I must admit I didn't like this much when I first heard it, or rather I just didn't pay attention to it but it has now grown on me and I like it quite a lot. Somebody wrote somewhere Greece might me mercied in the eyes of the televoters like Iceland last year for the economical chaos related stuff but I think it's the opposite. Yes, we felt sorry for Icelanders but their song was also outstanding. Opa isn't outstanding and we don't feel sorry for the Greeks, we are f*cking angry at them (96% of Finns would gladly throw them out of euro) so if there is an effect it's not a positive one but a negative one...
First impression: ***
Performer: ***
Song: ***
Staging: *****
Qualification: Will sneak in after all.
PORTUGAL - Filipa Azevedo - Há dias assim
She has been collecting praise and many like the song, including the YLE's commentator team who placed this as their number one in the first semifinal. I fail to see the brilliance in this. Another tired ballad and Filipa isn't very convincing for me, often she looks like she's suffering when she belts those difficult notes. No, we are not going to Lisbon 2011. Shame. I'd love Portugal to win finally!
First impression: **
Performer: **
Song: *
Staging: **
Qualification: I highly doubt it.
FYR MACEDONIA - Gjoko Tanevski - Jas ja imam silata
Another grower I disliked at first. This is a well written song and even the rap part fits in like a glove. Actually when listening to this I wait for the rap part! I like it but apparently I'm pretty alone with this opinion. We can also expect votes from the neighbouring countries that are many. On the other hand they have just missed the final twice by being the 10th country and replaced by the professional jury's wildcard. This isn't going to happen this time so maybe they will just make the final again? But then, all is ruined by the stating and those disturbing pornogirls.
First impression: **
Performer: **
Song: ***
Staging: *
Qualification: Just about.
BELARUS - 3+2 - Butterflies
This isn't bad, but it's not very memorable is it? When you hear it it's ok but you forget it before it's over. Also hearing them perform this live wasn't such a nice experience so they have to work hard and be at their best to make it sound as smooth as the recorded version. Belarus hasn't exactly been televoters favourite in the past so I doubt they will make the final this time either. Maybe they should have kept the song they had at first, Far away?Maybe the gimmich with the wings will make it stand out, or just make it laughable?
First impression: **
Performer: **
Song: **
Staging: ***
Qualification: Nope.
ICELAND - Hera Björk - Je ne sais quoi
Fans adored Hera until she won. I've been rather surprised she's not the megafavourite this year, judging the previous amount of adoration she has got. She's likable with a good voice. The song isn't anything original or revolutionary - and I kinda liked the original less-techno version more - but she can hit the screen and sell the song to the Europeans. It comes last in the evening and many voters must be wondering at this point isn't there anything but ballads and weird ethno stuff this year so they might find their favourite in this one. And it's not a bad thing at all!
First impression: *****
Performer: *****
Song: ****
Staging: ****
Qualifcation: Absolutely.
So in short my guess for the finalists is: Slovakia, Finland, Belgium, Albania, Iceland, Serbia, Malta, Greece, Poland Then one of these three: Estonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina or Belarus.
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