Norway: Knut is my winner

Tonight, Norway will decide their entry for Copenhagen among nine candidates. I must admit to not having followed the semi finals particularly carefully last weekend, but I will still speculate a bit on the outcome.

It is always interesting when countries change their selection modus, especially as the melodifestivalen formula with many weeks of semi finals seems to be wearing the audiences out a bit and most of the Nordic countries try to find other ways of conducting their national finals.

If organising three semi finals during one single weekend is the way to go remains to be seen but at least this new system resulted in a more than decent line-up for tonight's final.

1. El Cuero - Ain't No Love In This City No More
This being the only rock song in the running, it is a bit puzzling that NRK chose this to open the show. Quite a catchy little number but hardly tough enough to stand out at the ESC.
Grade: 2/5

2. Elisabeth Carew - Sole Survivor
An easily accessible pop chorus in a modern chorus that would benefit from a better performance. Elisabeth is nice but doesn't really nail it, neither the notes nor the presence needed.
Grade: 2/5

3. Knut Kippersund Nesdal - Taste Of You
Clearly my favourite in this line-up. Rick Astley from Hedmark gives a very inspired, energetic and ambitious performance and the only problem in my book is that the actual song doesn't quite measure up to his talent. I would be surprised if he won, but he is my personal winner and I am eagerly awaiting more tracks from Knut.
Grade: 4/5

4. Dina Misund - Needs
A fresh and pleasant effort following this year's eurovision trend of incorporating a country-western-influence into your song. Well sung but ultimately not memorable enough to win.
Grade: 2/5

5. Mo - Heal
Pretty much the same situation as with Tooji two years ago where the singer is more interesting than the actual entry. Not a bad chorus but the song relies a bit too much on the appeal of its modern arrangement.
Grade: 3/5

6. Linnea Dale - High Hopes
An equally modern, more interesting but also more difficult piece of soft electropop, completed by a good vocal performance. Would be an intriguing but very risky choice for Copenhagen.
Grade: 3/5

7. Charlie - Hit Me Up
Teeny pop that is more modern than developed but helped by a sweet performance. A good radio song but in this contest, the girl would need something with a stronger handle.
Grade: 2/5

8. Carl Espen - Silent Storm
This is the song everyone thinks will win. It isn't my favourite but I'm equally convinced this is our winner. It is original, unusual and delicate and would distinguish itself nicely also in an international final. It just doesn't fully hit home in my heart of stone but that probably matters very little in the end.
Grade: 3/5

9. Oda & Wulff - Sing
An almost offensively happy and positive ending to the presentation. Also original in its own way - and catchy - but a little bit more chemistry wouldn't hurt.
Grade: 3/5

Tobson predicts: There isn't much to add. Anything but a minor landslide victory for Carl Espen would be a surprise. I hope Norway at least will vote Knut into second place and make him the star he deserves to be.