Romania 2011 - the review

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.

Comments

ESC 2016 WISH LIST: MARGARET FOR POLAND

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Regina Lund - naked and censored

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JEDWARD GETS NAKED FOR THE FANS

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Alice's second Sanremo. No longer Alice Visconti, nor Carla Bissi but simply Alice. A song written by Alice herself with Franco Battiato and Giusto Pio. An usual song lacking a proper refrain, performed in an aggressive way by fierce looking Alice with wild hair. It was a real breakthrough. If the trio's first offering the year before for Italian hit waves was a hit this became a mega hit and international success that made her known not only in Italy but abroad as well. Such a shame Italy didn't participate in Eurovision that year (but her time would come) but then again, most likely they wouldn't have had sent Sanremo winner anyways. Number one hit in Italy, Top-5 in Austria and Switzerland, Top-20 in Germany. The song featured in her 4th album simply titled Alice, that was published abroad as Per Elisa with different styling. A new version of the song is included in Personal Jukebox album. Per Elisa Vuoi vedere che perderai anche me Per Elisa Non sai più distinguere

ITALY: ALICE 70 - NATA IERI

Alice - Nata ieri In 2012 Alice released her first studio album with new original songs in 14(fourteen!!!) years, Samsara . Among them a song Franco Battiato had written especially for her (Eri con me), a first since 1982!, a couple from Tiziano Ferro including this Nata ieri. The album included also three covers from Lucio Dalla, Giuni Russo and Califfi. Her fans had been waiting for this album and it entered the Italian charts straight at number 10. Se la vita è migliorata dopo ogni ferita, è grazie a te. Tra le grigie ceneri dei giorni neri, lì sono nata ieri. If life has improved after every wound, it is thanks to you. Among the gray ashes of the dark days, there I was born yesterday.

Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

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