Given the standard of recent Dutch entries, this one is indeed pretty OK. And OK was never enough at Eurovision.
3JS - Never Alone (Netherlands 2011)
The Netherlands have fought a losing battle at the ESC for a long, long time. Apart from a brief period of light at the end of the tunnel in the 90's, the Dutch entries have been shark feed most years ever since their last victory to date back in 1975.
It never looked good for 3JS either - this kind of soft, laidback, inoffensive radio rock hardly ever makes an impression in a contest where you have to stand out and grab the audience in order to get people to vote for you.
Last place in the semi is a bit harsh since this is a good radio song, but it falls apart completely on stage. The singer does nothing to establish any kind of contact with the audience at home, he has no camera contact what-so-ever. Even the singing is a bit out of breath and uncomfortable.
The Netherlands will never get back into the final unless they change their approach and start sending something with a bit of attitude and edge. Somebody please remind them what "Hemel en aarde" sounded like.
My grade: 2 / 5
