Romania is the next one to choose its entry this Friday, New Year's eve. As usual their national final is one of the best ones around and once again there are many worthy contenders. Romania has the third place in 2010 to defend, can they do the trick again? I gave a quick listen to the songs and here's my short review.
Adrian Cristescu - One by one
When this one starts it makes me think of Michael Jackson but that soon fades away. Nice song but is it catchy enough? The verses are better than the chorus. A very good starter for the show. ***
Dalma - Song for him
This starts of quite interestingly but that's soon gone when the annoying chorus kicks in. Not my cup of tea. **
Laeticia - Dreaming of you
Very nice start. Then enters her funny voice. Simple but very effective! Catchy as hell. Me likes more and more... even if it does get a bit repetitive after awhile. ****
Silvia Stefanescu - I can't breath without you
The standard ballad with a nice atmosphere with harp. Sweet and dreamy. Depending on songs in Dusseldorf could go either way if chosen. But, misses a definitive hook, just like the song before it I'm afraid. ***
Blaxy Girls - It's so fine
These girls are already veterans here and once again offer a good solid song. It's annoyingly catchy and one of my favourites. Will they be third time lucky? Maybe not but if so I'm quite happy with this one! ****
Claudia Pavel - I want u to want me
Isn't this Drip drop all over again? Foxy looking lady belting out an overproduced powerballad made in Sweden? This is more the US than Romania but it works. Most likely a fan favourite but not an Eurovision winner I guess - unless she makes wonders on stage. And first wins this national selection... ****
Laurentiu Cazan - We can change the world
This would have been fresh and exciting back in 1984. Now it's just... well... beyond bad. *
Dan Helciug - My Facebook girl
I know there's an audience for this kind of music which I very rarely find interesting or good (sometimes it's the lyrics that make it, sometimes the artist) and this one says nothing to me. *
Distinto, Ianna & Anthony Icuagu - Open your eyes
The ever present pop opera in the Romanian final. Not as good as Shine for example but I guess this is a kind of song that is strikingly good live or just dies, and I'm not sure if these singers are really as good as one might think. Hmm.... Must see and hear live before final judgement! ***
Directia 5 - Cinema love
This may have come on top in the preselection but I think this promises a lot but gives very little. Very long and boring three minutes in the end as the song goes nowhere. **
Rallsa - Take me down
And of course we need one fake artistic entry here, too. That turns out to be just another dance track. Propably a disaster live. I don't get it. **
Hotel FM - Change
This shared the first place in the preselection with Directia 5 and here also I ask why? This is better than Cinema love but still nothing special. Both vocalists are very good, I can say that. On the other hand this might work as an entry? Hmm... or could it? Is the time for these kind of songs over? Or has it come back?***
Mihai Alexandru featuring B-Body & Soul - Bang bang
This sounds like the worldhits we have got from that corner of the world the past few years. Not an Eurovision winner but could do really well if chosen. The only handicap might be Mihai's looks superficial as it seems, after all this is Eurovision. But isn't he Nicola's ex-husband?****
So if the winner is Mihai & co or Blaxy girls I'm very happy. Claudia will do and even if Directia 5, Distinto & co, Adrian or Laeticia wins I'm not too unhappy. Which only means I don't have a super favourite and it's kinda open field. I will be pissed if Rallsa, Cazan or Helcing will win though.
Listen the entries yourself here.
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