Blogilkar Guest Review: RAFAEL DE ALBA

Here we have it, the first and hopefully not the last review of this year's songs. Rafael de Alba has kindly reviewed the songs once again for my blog. As a long time Eurovision fan and songwriter (remember this? Or this? And what about this / that?) he shares his thoughts and predictions of the Eurovision song contest 2012 edition. Here you go:

Dear readers,

it gives me great pleasure to share my appreciation of this year’s songs with you all. The chances are, I will probably get it all wrong again!

Semifinal 1

Albania – Its melancholic build-up works for me. Her voice is sublime: torn like Björk’s, capable like Yma Sumac’s. It won’t win because it has to grow on the listener, but it is about time Albania’s sweet eccentricity gets recognized this time around. 5

Austria – I really don’t mind rap, really! but I find this performance incredibly vulgar. I do hope it doesn’t get through. 1

Belgium – I suspect it will take a better song for Belgium to break the spell as they did with just a man and his guitar. Pleasant performance, but it doesn’t provide the required impact. 2

Cyprus – sounds like one of those overproduced nineties’ Latin compilations full of Bisbal tunes. Whilst I think it will get the audience going, I don’t see Cyprus winning this year either. 3

Denmark – Similar effect in me to Anna Bergendahl’s song, though I hope she has better luck. Deserves a decent place. 4

Finland – now, this one is growing on me, as it feels so authentic and Nordic. The melody keeps unresolved throughout, which I quite like. Unfortunately it warrants listening to it several times to appreciate its value and there are so many more songs on the night… 3

Greece – Greek pop, powerful pop, predictable pop. The whole of Europe could conjure together for once and vote en mass to Greece, just for the fun of seeing them organize next year’s Eurovision in the midst of their financial crisis. Ela! I predict a top 10, haha. And it’s quite catchy after all. 4

Hungary – is the sort of country that we all like to see sending folk music. The song tells the story well, but I'm not convinced this is the sort of tune one sends to a competition. More suitable for a movie soundtrack? 3

Iceland -  Folk-like sounds featuring Jónsi? Anytime! A strong Scandinavian contender. Not sure it will reach the top 10 though, but personally I like it 4

Ireland – the unquestionable charm of this twosome isn’t strong enough for an encore, mainly because I don’t think the song is as strong as last year’s. It will be fun to watch though. Perfect soundtrack for a teenage series. 3

Israel – now, here’s my first five points! Just love it, so retro, so fresh, so naughty! I do hope this gets through to the final. The whole of Europe deserves such entertainment. 5

Latvia – I really didn’t get this when I first heard it, but its naivety and bitter humour is actually well matched to an irresistibly catchy tune. This is the first time I like a song that mocks the ESC! 3

Moldova – sounds ok, not offensive but I don’t think this is Moldova’s year. 2

Montenegro – you are going to kill me, but I quite like the arrangements in this track, especially the percussion, and I really want to see it in the final! 4

Romania -  plays its cards intelligently. They will definitely secure a 12 from Spain this year. Lots of Spaniards like this one, and I predict a better placement for this one than for the Cypriot song. 4

Russia – Cute as the grannies might be, this is not a serious performance, and I do believe a Russian victory this year would be tragic for the ESC. 0

San Marino – I have tried to listen to this objectively, but I still don’t get it. What was Siegel thinking? 1

Switzerland – I am usually keen to vote for Swiss songs, but this one does not have the E factor. Pleasant enough, just not my style 2.5

Semifinal 2

Belarus - Silly costumes aside, Belarus does for me what Switzerland does not, and I am quite happy to listen to it again, despite its predictability 3.5

Bosnia & Herzegovina – a beautifully sung song with a nice melody. Somehow I feel there are easier ballads to the ear this year. 3

Bulgaria – I find this type of song hard to digest. Mariana Popova, we miss you! 2

Croatia – A lovely ballad from the Balkans. 3

Estonia – a great male voice, although somehow this does not feel as contemporary as, say, Germany this year. 3

Macedonia – Another lovely ballad (which turns mid tempo) from the Balkans. 2

Georgia – I have tried to like this high-energy song. Perhaps I am getting old… 1

Lithuania – Donny, whatever you do on the night please, please, remove the blindfold and avoid the flip. You are a talented young man, but we actually want to watch you sing, not perform a melodrama! 3.5

Malta – Strangely dated, although Kurt Calleja’s vocal technique reminds me of a young Jon Secada. The lyric’s beginning is a bit unfortunate (‘Hey, look at me!’) and it does put me off for the rest of the song:   2

Norway – a serious contender, I predict a top five for the new Eric Saade. Of all the high-energy numbers, I find this one the most contemporary. 4

Portugal – C’mon, how can I not like the Portuguese song? I am Spanish after all, and a great fan of Babic. I am giving this one four points, as I am definitely not objective in my judgement. Not quite a Senhora Do Mar though. 4

Serbia – here is my second five of the night. It’s Zeljko. Enough said. Too many ingredients on this cake, however, and I suspect the new listener might not get the overall picture but rather a sequence of musically very interesting parts. 5

Slovakia – I love a good rock number, and this one is as good as any other. I predict a good performance on the stage, and I’d like to see Max qualify. 4

Sweden – possibly a winner, although I am not so sure this style will appeal to the broader audiences. The choreography is fascinating and does support the song brilliantly. Loreen has talent and technique. Definitely a top three. 4

The Netherlands – I predict the highest score for a long time for the Netherlands. I do hope so. Such a lovely tune! 4

Turkey – I find this one of the weakest Turkish entries for years. It seems fitter for a musical than for a song in its own right. 2

Ukraine – I am always weary of videos that provide Diva treatment for the singer they are trying to promote. The song sounds so similar to many other songs… This could be Ukraine’s first big fall. 1

Big5+1

Azerbaijan – a great song from the host country. I do believe this will do very well indeed. Personally I wouldn’t mind if they won again. 4

France – I love the fact that France continues to take risks. I do not think this song will win but I look forward to the stage performance. 3

Germany – I can see this going all the way! Germany continues to reinvent itself and sends contemporary stuff to the ESC, leaving Siegel no option but to try for San Marino! 5

Italy – I am still trying to recover from the fact that Per Sempre won’t compete this year. It was one of my favourites. By contrast, I regard L’amore é femmina as a bitter disappointment. 2

Spain – the fact that this is the best we have sent in years does not mean it will win the contest. Unfortunately all Spanish fans believe otherwise. I wish Pastora well, but her voice range does not sit comfortably in this song, it’s just not her style, and Germany will perform straight after… I do hope for a top ten though. 4

United Kingdom – I would only be too happy if this won! A heart-felt tune sung by a true gentleman. Unlike Russian, this is pure class and quality. I wish him well. Shame he will sing in first place. Nevertheless, beware! It’s a lucky position for the UK. Remember 1976? Definitely 5 points.

Here is my top ten:

1. UK
2. Israel
3. Serbia
4. Germany
5. Azerbaijan
6. Albania
7. Sweden
8. Norway
9. Spain
10.  Portugal

 And here is how I think it will end up

1. Germany
2. Russia
3. Sweden
4. Azerbaijan
5. Norway
6. Serbia
7. UK
8. Greece
9. Romania
10. Italy

Enjoy the show!