The reports are pouring in from Vienna, where the contestants of the second semi final are going through their second rehearsals today. I must admit I miss being there. Seeing the entries slowly unfold in rehearsals (or gradually collapse, in some cases) is among my favourite things when on location.
One thing following rehearsals could do to you is however that you may turn deaf and blind to other things. You will watch the rehearsal of Country X and think it is much better than you expected it to be. And you start thinking that if they sing this well, they must be a qualifier.
I have done it so many times myself. Or even kept repeating the mantra: "If they just get this right in the camera work, it will be fantastic."
How easy it is to forget that if an entry lacked a proper strong song to start with, no amount of fine singing or staging tricks will help that. (Unless the country in question is Ukraine. But they're not even in it this time.) If you have no song the viewers can connect to, you're toast.
Reading all the updates on rehearsals is amusing and entertaining, but it's in no way sure that the people on location will have a better guess than us at home in the end.
And to prove my point: back in 2009, when I was doing the commentator job from a tiny studio in Helsinki, I was convinced this one would make it to the final since they sang so well. Oh, bless.
Kamil Mikulčík & Nela Pocisková - Let' Tmou (Slovakia 2009)
Showing posts with label Slovakia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Slovakia. Show all posts
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Tobson Ranking: #37 Slovakia
This is a mystery I will never get my head around - why do people go to Eurovision with a song they are unable to perform properly?
Max Jason Mai - Don't Close Your Eyes (Slovakia 2012)
I really thought Slovakia had done the right thing this time and sent in an entry that would stand out by a mile and gather all the rock votes. The preview version sounded very promising, combining the heardest piece of rock heard at Eurovision since Kabát entered the stage in 2007 with a most melodious chorus.
Maybe not entirely my cup of tea but a sure qualifyer, I thought.
Then the rehearsals started and long turned my face as the long-haired Slovak proved totally unable to deliver the notes required. At first I thought it was a case of bad nerves, but no improvement came along during the week and the live performance sounded just as unconvincing as the rehearsals. And a pretty edgy rock entry was scattered to pieces and left in ruins.
I still hope Slovakia won't take this defeat personally and withdraw from the competition. This failure was nobody's fault but their own.
My grade: 1/5
Max Jason Mai - Don't Close Your Eyes (Slovakia 2012)
I really thought Slovakia had done the right thing this time and sent in an entry that would stand out by a mile and gather all the rock votes. The preview version sounded very promising, combining the heardest piece of rock heard at Eurovision since Kabát entered the stage in 2007 with a most melodious chorus.
Maybe not entirely my cup of tea but a sure qualifyer, I thought.
Then the rehearsals started and long turned my face as the long-haired Slovak proved totally unable to deliver the notes required. At first I thought it was a case of bad nerves, but no improvement came along during the week and the live performance sounded just as unconvincing as the rehearsals. And a pretty edgy rock entry was scattered to pieces and left in ruins.
I still hope Slovakia won't take this defeat personally and withdraw from the competition. This failure was nobody's fault but their own.
My grade: 1/5
Thursday, April 26, 2012
The 2012 review: part eight
I'm almost through all the entries for Baku, this post will deal with the four last songs to go through the semi finals, closing the Thursday night run-through.
15. SLOVAKIA
Max Jason Mai - Don't Close Your Eyes
Eurovision has perhaps never provided the perfect stage for real rock music. "Hard Rock Hallelujah" was - in all honesty - a typical eurosong disguised as a rocker with some guitars and, well, monsters. The Slovakian entry is by far the heaviest piece of metal since their Czech neighbours tired their luck with Kabàt in 2007.
This could be a turning point for rock, though. This might be sharp and noisy, but also melodic and easy to get a grip on. Max Jason Mai is a likeable performer and this song stands very alone - nobody is trying to steal their points and they will stand out by a mile from the other entries in this semi.
Qualifyer:
Yes. This is the year when Slovakia will get something back for all the effort they invested during the last few years. I am not sure how high a placing they might get in the end, but it would be a big negative surprise if they don't qualify this time around.
My grade: 3/5
16. NORWAY
Tooji - Stay
You know what? We need to talk about Tooji.
He is a real personality, he looks good and he has something deeply interesting about him, something enigmatic and mysterious. He is quite a good singer and has a good way with the camera. He really is a strong asset for Norway.
The big question is why he has opted to perform a song as weak as this one. It has a lot of promise and good ideas and good little hooky things, but it doesn't help much as there is no melody line and no structure. This song would need to grab me by the hand and lead me through this musical landscape and explain what is going on. As a listener, I feel very much left on my own as the whole package dances on without me.
Qualifyer:
Probably. Confidence comes a long way in a competition like this, and Tooji has plenty of that. But it is surprising that Norway, for the third year in a row, enters with a good singer and a song that is nowhere near as good.
My grade: 2/5
17. BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
Maya Sar - Korake ti znam
Bosnia has really proven themselves as one of the strongest countries in the ESC, contributing quality entries year after year - well-crafted songs, elaborate performances and very good artists. Maya Sar has been part of the Bosnian team twice before, behind Deen in 2004 and as part of Dino Merlin's cheerful gang last year. This time around, she is going with a far more laid back effort.
The song, written by Maya Sar herself, is a tender and delicious little ballad where every syllable feels like a gentle touch, sung in a most delightful and sensual way. A real gem, but perhaps slightly too ethereal to work wonders in a televote.
Qualifyer:
Hopefully. It contains so many good ingredients, but is anything but instant. Should hit home with the juries, if they aspire to be of any use to the contest.
My grade: 4/5
18. LITHUANIA
Donny Montell - Love Is Blind
It's a hard life when your song is ready and you can't shake the feeling that it just isn't interesting enough. At that point, it is easy to start adding extra things, special effects, that might seem like a good idea at first but that don't really contribute anything in the end.
It could be a complicated bridge between the verse and a chorus. It could consist of adding some long notes that just distract from the actual melody. It could involve putting a blindfold on to underline the words you are singing. And in the end, you'll find yourself with a whole lot of superfluous rubbish and not so much of a song.
That is exactly what has happened in Lithuania, where the composer and the performer have joined forces to make it impossible for the audience to find the somewhat decent melody line they have hidden under several layers of over-production and stage antics.
Qualifyer:
No. This song would need some serious cleaning up, but not even that would help. The chorus, when Donny finally gets there, is OK but not original enough to make a difference.
My grade: 1/5
15. SLOVAKIA
Max Jason Mai - Don't Close Your Eyes
Eurovision has perhaps never provided the perfect stage for real rock music. "Hard Rock Hallelujah" was - in all honesty - a typical eurosong disguised as a rocker with some guitars and, well, monsters. The Slovakian entry is by far the heaviest piece of metal since their Czech neighbours tired their luck with Kabàt in 2007.
This could be a turning point for rock, though. This might be sharp and noisy, but also melodic and easy to get a grip on. Max Jason Mai is a likeable performer and this song stands very alone - nobody is trying to steal their points and they will stand out by a mile from the other entries in this semi.
Qualifyer:
Yes. This is the year when Slovakia will get something back for all the effort they invested during the last few years. I am not sure how high a placing they might get in the end, but it would be a big negative surprise if they don't qualify this time around.
My grade: 3/5
16. NORWAY
Tooji - Stay
You know what? We need to talk about Tooji.
He is a real personality, he looks good and he has something deeply interesting about him, something enigmatic and mysterious. He is quite a good singer and has a good way with the camera. He really is a strong asset for Norway.
The big question is why he has opted to perform a song as weak as this one. It has a lot of promise and good ideas and good little hooky things, but it doesn't help much as there is no melody line and no structure. This song would need to grab me by the hand and lead me through this musical landscape and explain what is going on. As a listener, I feel very much left on my own as the whole package dances on without me.
Qualifyer:
Probably. Confidence comes a long way in a competition like this, and Tooji has plenty of that. But it is surprising that Norway, for the third year in a row, enters with a good singer and a song that is nowhere near as good.
My grade: 2/5
17. BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
Maya Sar - Korake ti znam
Bosnia has really proven themselves as one of the strongest countries in the ESC, contributing quality entries year after year - well-crafted songs, elaborate performances and very good artists. Maya Sar has been part of the Bosnian team twice before, behind Deen in 2004 and as part of Dino Merlin's cheerful gang last year. This time around, she is going with a far more laid back effort.
The song, written by Maya Sar herself, is a tender and delicious little ballad where every syllable feels like a gentle touch, sung in a most delightful and sensual way. A real gem, but perhaps slightly too ethereal to work wonders in a televote.
Qualifyer:
Hopefully. It contains so many good ingredients, but is anything but instant. Should hit home with the juries, if they aspire to be of any use to the contest.
My grade: 4/5
18. LITHUANIA
Donny Montell - Love Is Blind
It's a hard life when your song is ready and you can't shake the feeling that it just isn't interesting enough. At that point, it is easy to start adding extra things, special effects, that might seem like a good idea at first but that don't really contribute anything in the end.
It could be a complicated bridge between the verse and a chorus. It could consist of adding some long notes that just distract from the actual melody. It could involve putting a blindfold on to underline the words you are singing. And in the end, you'll find yourself with a whole lot of superfluous rubbish and not so much of a song.
That is exactly what has happened in Lithuania, where the composer and the performer have joined forces to make it impossible for the audience to find the somewhat decent melody line they have hidden under several layers of over-production and stage antics.
Qualifyer:
No. This song would need some serious cleaning up, but not even that would help. The chorus, when Donny finally gets there, is OK but not original enough to make a difference.
My grade: 1/5
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Slovakia 2012: Hard Rock Hallelujah
After some hesitation back and forward as whether to participate at all and, if so, who should represent the nation, Slovakia presented their entrant during the week.
Max Jason Mai is an inspired choice and his song is the heaviest metal we have heard at Eurovision since Czech Kabàt made their (unsuccessful) attempt in Helsinki.
Maybe this kind of rock is not what I generally listen to, but I liked Kabàt and I like this. It is refreshing to have some sharp edges and attitude instead of the often so eurofied and competition-adapted rock we get used to at the ESC.
Given how most of the other selected songs sound, Slovakia is likely to stand out by a mile and, if the rock audience is alert, Max Jason Mai could assure his country its first appearance in a final since 1998.
Max Jason Mai - Don't Close Your Eyes (Slovakia 2012)
Max Jason Mai is an inspired choice and his song is the heaviest metal we have heard at Eurovision since Czech Kabàt made their (unsuccessful) attempt in Helsinki.
Maybe this kind of rock is not what I generally listen to, but I liked Kabàt and I like this. It is refreshing to have some sharp edges and attitude instead of the often so eurofied and competition-adapted rock we get used to at the ESC.
Given how most of the other selected songs sound, Slovakia is likely to stand out by a mile and, if the rock audience is alert, Max Jason Mai could assure his country its first appearance in a final since 1998.
Max Jason Mai - Don't Close Your Eyes (Slovakia 2012)
Friday, July 1, 2011
Tobson Ranking: #29 Slovakia
After two rather interesting entries since their comeback, Slovakia turned more mainstream. And it paid off. Sort of.
TWiiNS - I'm Still Alive (Slovakia 2011)
After Slovakia discovered they had withrawn after the deadline and would have to pay a large sum to the EBU regardless if they sent a song or not, these twins were selected internally to go to Düsseldorf.
Their song is an international product, sounding safe and familiar, like a million radio hits already do. The performance is secure and likeable, but somewhat lacking in temper and personality to crack the tv screen.
Going more middle-of-the-road was a good decision for Slovakia - even if they didn't qualify, they got more points and a much better rank than they have been used to in the past.
If they could manage to combine the quirk of previous years with a taste of safe and familiar, then we will soon see Slovakia in the final. And why not pretty high up in the result?
My grade: 2 / 5
TWiiNS - I'm Still Alive (Slovakia 2011)
After Slovakia discovered they had withrawn after the deadline and would have to pay a large sum to the EBU regardless if they sent a song or not, these twins were selected internally to go to Düsseldorf.
Their song is an international product, sounding safe and familiar, like a million radio hits already do. The performance is secure and likeable, but somewhat lacking in temper and personality to crack the tv screen.
Going more middle-of-the-road was a good decision for Slovakia - even if they didn't qualify, they got more points and a much better rank than they have been used to in the past.
If they could manage to combine the quirk of previous years with a taste of safe and familiar, then we will soon see Slovakia in the final. And why not pretty high up in the result?
My grade: 2 / 5
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The 2011 review: part Five
Are you all ready? Take a deep breath and we will dig into the second semi final. Here is the first bite!
1. BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
Dino Merlin - Love In Rewind (Bosnia-Herzegovina 2011)
The rhythm of this song reminds me of the Bosnian eurosong from exactly thirty years ago (representing Yugoslavia in Dublin 1981), just proving that the musical tradition goes like a red thread through most of the Bosnian contributions. Many things have changed with time, and these days Bosnia-Herzegovina are often considered top contenders with their quirky but catchy entries.
It would surprise me if this would turn out to be their first winner, though. It is probably a bit too demanding for the average voter, but what a fantastic entry it is. Artistic, ambitious, surprising. This one has everything you could ask for, in addition to a very appealing melody line. A firm favourite of mine.
Qualifyer:
Yes. Dino Merlin is a superstar in the Balkans, but this is also a super song.
My grade: 4/5
2. AUSTRIA
Nadine Beiler - The Secret Is Love (Austria 2011)
I have really missed Austria in Eurovision and would really love to love this one. This girl is so sweet and is so talented, she sings so well, and the gospel chorus really provides a lift towards the end.
And yet, the whole thing is just so predictable and nice. Nice in a bad way. Nice in a dull way. Nice as in elevator music. Thinking how much Trackshittaz or Klimmstein would have stood out in this semi, it is a shame how Austria threw away a great chance. Then again, many people are fond of this genre and not all hope is lost.
Qualifyer:
Probably not. Coming on as song number two, not including more memorable moves than this one does, even the people who liked it will remember it well enough when it is time to cast the decisive votes.
My grade: 2/5
3. NETHERLANDS
3JS - Never Alone (Netherlands 2011)
Not only is this one just as nice as Austria, it also begins with the worst lyrical faux pas I know. Anyone who rhymes "heart" with "start" gets about one hundred points deducted at once in my book, but after that the song actually takes quite a nice turn.
Indeed, it is a pleasant little pop number, tailormade for the softer radio stations, well performed by this Duth Jan Johansen and his clones. Yet, it faces the same problem as the Austrian entry. Who will remember this one long enough to vote for it?
Qualifyer:
Possibly, if the Dutch would have the kind of luck they have not had since 2004. But I seriously doubt it.
My grade: 2/5
4. BELGIUM
Witloof Bay - With Love Baby (Belgium 2011)
A capella doesn't have to be a bad idea. Latvia did it quite nicely in 2006, and the entry by Ba'Six in the 2001 Danish final is really sweet. What they both had was a good tune to begin with. This is just an unsufferable display of what fantastic sounds (according to themselves) a group of singers can make using no instruments.
Great. We know. But why didn't you bother writing a song? Now all we get is a very smug performance without a trace of charm anywhere.
Qualifyer:
Probably not. But it does have one advantage compared to Austria and the Netherlands: you will not forget this one. It moves into your head and stays there, even though you just want it to leave.
My grade: 1/5
5. SLOVAKIA
TWiiNS - I'm Still Alive (Slovakia 2011)
Same case as Austria - I would really want to like this one more than I do. It reminds me quite a lot of Azerbaijan's entry, but unlike that one this never really takes off. It keeps going, wagging along, without any major surprises or climaxes. The twin sisters really do their best, and maybe they can make this one light up the sky on stage, but they had really bad luck getting drawn so tightly together with a whole bunch of other midtempo songs.
Qualifyer:
No. I'm afraid not. I would really want Slovakia to have some success in order for them to want to stay in competition, but this is pretty unlikely to happen.
My grade: 2/5
1. BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
Dino Merlin - Love In Rewind (Bosnia-Herzegovina 2011)
The rhythm of this song reminds me of the Bosnian eurosong from exactly thirty years ago (representing Yugoslavia in Dublin 1981), just proving that the musical tradition goes like a red thread through most of the Bosnian contributions. Many things have changed with time, and these days Bosnia-Herzegovina are often considered top contenders with their quirky but catchy entries.
It would surprise me if this would turn out to be their first winner, though. It is probably a bit too demanding for the average voter, but what a fantastic entry it is. Artistic, ambitious, surprising. This one has everything you could ask for, in addition to a very appealing melody line. A firm favourite of mine.
Qualifyer:
Yes. Dino Merlin is a superstar in the Balkans, but this is also a super song.
My grade: 4/5
2. AUSTRIA
Nadine Beiler - The Secret Is Love (Austria 2011)
I have really missed Austria in Eurovision and would really love to love this one. This girl is so sweet and is so talented, she sings so well, and the gospel chorus really provides a lift towards the end.
And yet, the whole thing is just so predictable and nice. Nice in a bad way. Nice in a dull way. Nice as in elevator music. Thinking how much Trackshittaz or Klimmstein would have stood out in this semi, it is a shame how Austria threw away a great chance. Then again, many people are fond of this genre and not all hope is lost.
Qualifyer:
Probably not. Coming on as song number two, not including more memorable moves than this one does, even the people who liked it will remember it well enough when it is time to cast the decisive votes.
My grade: 2/5
3. NETHERLANDS
3JS - Never Alone (Netherlands 2011)
Not only is this one just as nice as Austria, it also begins with the worst lyrical faux pas I know. Anyone who rhymes "heart" with "start" gets about one hundred points deducted at once in my book, but after that the song actually takes quite a nice turn.
Indeed, it is a pleasant little pop number, tailormade for the softer radio stations, well performed by this Duth Jan Johansen and his clones. Yet, it faces the same problem as the Austrian entry. Who will remember this one long enough to vote for it?
Qualifyer:
Possibly, if the Dutch would have the kind of luck they have not had since 2004. But I seriously doubt it.
My grade: 2/5
4. BELGIUM
Witloof Bay - With Love Baby (Belgium 2011)
A capella doesn't have to be a bad idea. Latvia did it quite nicely in 2006, and the entry by Ba'Six in the 2001 Danish final is really sweet. What they both had was a good tune to begin with. This is just an unsufferable display of what fantastic sounds (according to themselves) a group of singers can make using no instruments.
Great. We know. But why didn't you bother writing a song? Now all we get is a very smug performance without a trace of charm anywhere.
Qualifyer:
Probably not. But it does have one advantage compared to Austria and the Netherlands: you will not forget this one. It moves into your head and stays there, even though you just want it to leave.
My grade: 1/5
5. SLOVAKIA
TWiiNS - I'm Still Alive (Slovakia 2011)
Same case as Austria - I would really want to like this one more than I do. It reminds me quite a lot of Azerbaijan's entry, but unlike that one this never really takes off. It keeps going, wagging along, without any major surprises or climaxes. The twin sisters really do their best, and maybe they can make this one light up the sky on stage, but they had really bad luck getting drawn so tightly together with a whole bunch of other midtempo songs.
Qualifyer:
No. I'm afraid not. I would really want Slovakia to have some success in order for them to want to stay in competition, but this is pretty unlikely to happen.
My grade: 2/5
Friday, April 15, 2011
Songs only I like: Slovakia 2009
Slovakia came back to Eurovision after an absence of eleven years. Maybe they forgot a bit about the ESC during this long time, since the song they offered us was very atypical.
Kamil Mikulčík & Nela Pocisková - Let' tmou (Slovakia 2009)
The person who created the term "dramatic ballad" had no idea just how much drama you can actually squeeze into a mere three minutes. It is a small wonder that not a single vocal chord goes pop during this orgy.
The last forty seconds is the musical equivalent of standing under a waterfall, I believe.
And I love it. I love the passion, the drama and the sheer madness about it. (To be honest, it took a while. The first times I heard it, I wanted to take a painkiller and lie down in a dark room for a couple of hours.)
On the night of the semi final, I even predicted it to make top ten as I thought the juries would appreciate the vocal exercises. They didn't, so Kamil and Nela had to content themselves with eight points and a second last place.
Boo for the juries, I say. What do you say? If you like this one too, please leave a comment.
Kamil Mikulčík & Nela Pocisková - Let' tmou (Slovakia 2009)
The person who created the term "dramatic ballad" had no idea just how much drama you can actually squeeze into a mere three minutes. It is a small wonder that not a single vocal chord goes pop during this orgy.
The last forty seconds is the musical equivalent of standing under a waterfall, I believe.
And I love it. I love the passion, the drama and the sheer madness about it. (To be honest, it took a while. The first times I heard it, I wanted to take a painkiller and lie down in a dark room for a couple of hours.)
On the night of the semi final, I even predicted it to make top ten as I thought the juries would appreciate the vocal exercises. They didn't, so Kamil and Nela had to content themselves with eight points and a second last place.
Boo for the juries, I say. What do you say? If you like this one too, please leave a comment.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Slovakia sends in the twins
Slovakia was a bit of a neverending old-fashioned chapter story when it came down to Eurovision in Düsseldorf. First they withdrew, then they came back, then they pulled out, then they were on the list, then they claimed they shouldn't be on the list at all.
And now they are in, anyway.
Which I am very happy about. Eurovision is an all-european event that loses something as soon as some country pulls out. (Did you catch that, Czech Republic and Montenegro and Monaco and Luxembourg?)
Slovakia figured they could at least save some pennies selecting internally instead of organising a national final, and in the end they settled for pop duo TWiiNS.
TWiiNS - I'm Still Alive (Slovakia 2011)
This audio version was posted on the duo's official YouTube but nobody knows whether it is the finished version or just a demo. The song will be officially presented this weekend during the Miss Slovakia gala.
It is a modern piece of radio pop that maybe could have needed a bit of a key change by the end (to give it some extra punch), but which definitely seems to fill a gap in this year's line-up.
The twins already know what Eurovision is about, as they provided backing vocals for the not too successful Czech entry of 2008. If they manage to keep their act together and sing well, they could probably do more than a bit better this time around.
And now they are in, anyway.
Which I am very happy about. Eurovision is an all-european event that loses something as soon as some country pulls out. (Did you catch that, Czech Republic and Montenegro and Monaco and Luxembourg?)
Slovakia figured they could at least save some pennies selecting internally instead of organising a national final, and in the end they settled for pop duo TWiiNS.
TWiiNS - I'm Still Alive (Slovakia 2011)
This audio version was posted on the duo's official YouTube but nobody knows whether it is the finished version or just a demo. The song will be officially presented this weekend during the Miss Slovakia gala.
It is a modern piece of radio pop that maybe could have needed a bit of a key change by the end (to give it some extra punch), but which definitely seems to fill a gap in this year's line-up.
The twins already know what Eurovision is about, as they provided backing vocals for the not too successful Czech entry of 2008. If they manage to keep their act together and sing well, they could probably do more than a bit better this time around.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)