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Euro Trends: Music (3) EuroVision2008 Edition

by Metatone
Sat May 24th, 2008 at 02:56:26 PM EST

You thought the reappearance of the Euro Music diary this week was going to be bad... but you reckoned without Eurovision, which surely pushes into truly negative territory!

The 2008 theme logo: it was inspired by Belgrade's situation at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers [added by DoDo]

Final Results

1. Russia
2. Ukraine
3. Greece
Top of the betting so far seems to be jointly:

Russia - Dima Bilan - Believing

and

Ukraine - Ani Lorak - Shady Lady

I added a special section (like in the Salon) for Eurovision comments. I don't know if I'll have time to liveblog. So anyone who has time, please keep us up to date! If you're not at a TV, it appears you can watch online if you go to the Eurovision Belgrade 2008 site.

Usual chart roundups follow below. As always, post a chart that interests you and a couple of youtubes and comments on songs!

Event starts at 21h CET. Promoted by DoDo

Europe Music Charts - Top Singles
PLTitle / Artist
1-"4 Minutes" Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake 
 
2-"Mercy" Duffy 
 
3-"American Boy" Estelle feat. Kayne West 
 
4-"Love In This Club" Usher feat. Young Jezzy 
 
5-"That's Not My Name" Ting Tings 
 
6-"Tired Of Being Sorry" Enrique Iglesias 
 
7-"Take A Bow" Rihanna 
 
8-"Summer Love" Mark Medlock 
 
9-"Violet Hill" Coldplay 
 
10-"No Stress" Laurent Wolf feat. Eric Carter



The new entry of note is by The Ting Tings (#1 in the UK):

It's sort of pop softly influenced by punk. And DoDo will make fun of me for this, but I'd be much happier about Eurovision if the UK entry was this, or all sorts of other chart songs of recent times that seemed to have some real roots in the UK music scene. It's not about winning, but it'd be nice to feel like there was some commitment to "being ourselves" in the competition.

How does your country's entry feel to you?

And please remember you can post any chart that feels interesting to you!

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Display:
Euro Trends: Music (3) EuroVision2008 Edition | 147 comments (147 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
Eurovision! (4.00 / 3)
EUROVISION SECTION
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 01:09:36 PM EST
The Line Up (4.00 / 2)
Eurovision Song Contest 2008 Final | The Final | Eurovision Song Contest - Belgrade 2008
01 Romania TVR Nico & Vlad complete participant profile Pe-o Margine De Lume
02 United Kingdom BBC Andy Abraham complete participant profile Even If
03 Albania RTSH Olta Boka complete participant profile Zemrën E Lamë Peng
04 Germany NDR No Angels complete participant profile Disappear
05 Armenia AMPTV Sirusho complete participant profile Qele, Qele
06 Bosnia & Herzegovina BHRT Laka complete participant profile Pokušaj
07 Israel IBA Boaz complete participant profile The Fire In Your Eyes
08 Finland YLE Teräsbetoni complete participant profile Missä Miehet Ratsastaa
09 Croatia HRT Kraljevi Ulice & 75 Cents complete participant profile Romanca
10 Poland TVP Isis Gee complete participant profile For Life
11 Iceland RÚV Euroband complete participant profile This Is My Life
12 Turkey TRT Mor ve Ötesi complete participant profile Deli
13 Portugal RTP Vânia Fernandes complete participant profile Senhora Do Mar (Negras Águas)
14 Latvia LTV Pirates Of The Sea complete participant profile Wolves Of The Sea
15 Sweden SVT Charlotte Perrelli complete participant profile Hero
16 Denmark DR Simon Mathew complete participant profile All Night Long
17 Georgia GPB Diana Gurtskaya complete participant profile Peace Will Come
18 Ukraine NTU Ani Lorak complete participant profile Shady Lady
19 France France 3 Sébastien Tellier complete participant profile Divine
20 Azerbaijan İctimai Elnur & Samir complete participant profile Day After Day
21 Greece ERT Kalomira complete participant profile Secret Combination
22 Spain TVE Rodolfo Chikilicuatre complete participant profile Baila El Chiki Chiki
23 Serbia RTS Jelena Tomašević feat. Bora Dugic complete participant profile Oro
24 Russia RTR Dima Bilan complete participant profile Believe
25 Norway NRK Maria complete participant profile Hold On Be Strong
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 01:24:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (none / 1)
Hohoho, I completely missed the No Angels nomination for Germany. No Angels is a girl band born in a talent show, and surviving a few years afterwards - and this is an apparent comeback.

I'm surprised the Swedish and Icelandish candidates made it, I saw them during dinner the other day and especially Charlotte Perelli was abysmal (how did she win once before when she can apparently neither sing nor dance?)

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 02:44:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (none / 1)
Heh... well my Latvian friend loves Charlotte Perelli, I think she has good days and bad days with the singing... we'll see what happens tonight.

AS for Euroband - isn't this classic bland-Euro-dance? I'd be predicting a possible high finish if they had some voting support from neighbouring countries...

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 02:53:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (none / 0)
I think she has good days and bad days with the singing...

That could well explain the performance I saw.

isn't this classic bland-Euro-dance?

Exactly, but too classic, IMO. (I expected the Hungarian candidate to crash out for being too classic, too, and she duly did.) Could be wrong. I thought Ruslana was too classic to win, too.

Now I'm off to the next TV screen...

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:01:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (none / 0)
I'm watching on the live internet feed, which doesn't seem to give any contextual info, so I guess it's Nico and Vlad up first, she's in a suit, he's in a wedding dress.

Apart from that, feels like a rather run of the mill pop song with dance influences.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:03:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (none / 0)
Oh wait, now there's an intro bit... apparently Serbs kiss three times in greeting.... and....

The Grand Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest is being opened by last year's winner Marija Šerifovic singing an dance version of "Molitva" and a new song in English.
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:09:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (none / 0)
I'm going to make a new section for Eurovision Liveblogging. Please post there.
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:09:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (none / 0)
So we are over the first six.

Romania: singing in Italian! But voice seemed off, same for No Angels, could it be the sound technician?

The British act wasn't as bad as its fame, and I thought of the Lighthouse Family.

The Georgian and Albanian young divas were OK.

I think the Bosnian act is the first that will feature on top, but not win it.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:35:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (4.00 / 2)
Iceland - Euroband - This Is My Life

As mentioned below, this is classic Euro-dance-pop. Think  boy band leader gone solo.

"All through the years, blood, sweat and tears."

And now the lady joins in, she's not quite got the pitch, but she's got the power and the pink high heels.

It's catchy, if a bit repetitive, a few years ago it might well have won... but now perhaps it feels a bit dated.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:52:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (none / 0)
Mind you, the studio audience really love it.
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:53:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (none / 1)
Turkey - Mor ve Ötesi - Deli

Hm, a real guitar song so far. I like it. The singer is rather too fond of himself, but this has some real different feel to it. Not Turkish feel perhaps, but at least "indie rock" style.

Another good technical performance too.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:54:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (none / 1)
Portugal - Vânia Fernandes -  Senhora Do Mar

A quiet ballad so far. Local touches in instrumentation, but now it builds to a loud chorus. Sounds like dramatic romance... sweeping chords...

Again, this is a well worn Eurovision convention, who knows how popular it will be?

Good technical performance again.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:02:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (none / 1)
Denmark - Simon Mathew

He looks like Shakin Stevens, he's not totally in tune... he's a Danish cheeky chappy, and now the chorus hits... "All Night Long" - this is a pub song!

The flat cap is too incongruous. I'm speechless. Sort of a drunken party song for the late summer. Not dance, a traditional live band...

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:13:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (none / 0)
Azerbaijan - Elnur & Samir - Day After Day

Operatic opening.
He's got a high voice...

Sort of like a Bond theme in the orchestration.

Now the Marilyn Manson clone kicks in. It really feels like a movie theme. It's got metally feel, but no guitars. Dramatic, but in the end maybe overshadowed by the Finnish group.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:29:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (none / 1)
Greece - Kalomira

We start with folk strings... and claps and beat...
But we rapidly descend to a clone of Beyonce? Mariah? Poppy, decent choreography, but so far less wow factor than Ukraine...

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:32:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (4.00 / 4)
Spain - Rodolfo Chikilicuatre

Aha... pastiche rides again...

Baila El Chiki Chiki

Now this is truly in the best traditions of Eurovision.

Did kcurie write this?

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:35:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (none / 0)
LOLOLOL!!!!!!
by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:37:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (none / 0)
I just came back from laughing our a*** given the excellent performance of CHiki and the girls..

I wish I would hadd wrote it.. but the lyrics is actually from Santiago Segura.. a famous spanish movie director-actor and also a comedian.

The actor who interprets chiquii is also quite famous in Barcelona and is well-known in the theater world (of course, he si from Castelldefels near barcelona and he is a brilliant impersonator).

So.. sad that he did not get more points..w e wanted him to be among the top ten.. that should have been funny...

but geopolitics makes it impossible...

a pleasure

I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men's minds without their being aware of the fact. Levi-Strauss, Claude

by kcurie on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 07:31:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The Line Up (none / 0)
The semi-final scores are up on the Eurovision webpage.

So it was Sweden's Charlotte Perelli who was saved by the jury, bumped up from 12th to 10th place in the second semi-final. That explains it.

Csézy of Hungary was dead last in the same semi-final (and only San Marino got less points in the first), colour me unsurprised.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Sun May 25th, 2008 at 04:05:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]
The spirit of European co-operation... (4.00 / 2)
One of the entrants to the Romanian competition was Rednex, the Swedish country and western novelty techno band with a song fronted by a local Romanian boy band...

Fortunately (?) they didn't get through...

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 01:29:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The spirit of European co-operation... (none / 0)
The success of some other cross-border calculations:

  • No Angels/Germany: one member of the band is a Bulgarian immigrant, marketing successful: Bulgaria 12 points

  • Dima Bilan/Russia: violinist Edvin Marton (permanent support for, this time without spelling error, ice skater Evgeni Plushenko) brought 'only' 10 points from Hungary


*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.
by DoDo on Sun May 25th, 2008 at 04:20:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (4.00 / 3)
The only thing I know about Eurovision this year, I learned from a friend's Facebook status, and that is that the contest somehow involves a singing puppet, some singing pirates and an invented language.
by the stormy present (stormypresent aaaaaaat gmail etc) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 01:50:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
I do not know much more, except for what I posted on ET. As I do not have a tv, I am a little out of the loop. :-)
by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 01:58:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (4.00 / 2)
If your connection allows, you can view the final on the web at http://www.eurovision.tv/splash/index.html
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 02:01:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
ZUT!!!! You just took away my good excuse for not having to watch it. :-D But thanks anyway.
by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 02:04:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Damn it, I've been sucked into watching Eurovision by force of circumstances. I have to have a pipe before it starts. It's the only way that I'll be able to appreciate the subtleties.

Naturally I am expecting the Finnish entry, Teräsbetoni, to triumph. I think Lordi without the prosthetics would be an interesting consequent twist (in the Swedish sense of consequent).

So puff the magic draconian....

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:10:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
EUROVISION LIVEBLOGGING
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:10:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
So now this is really Nico and Vlad from Romania...

Sort of a standard duet ballad. Power romance I suppose.
Emphasis on power from her...

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:12:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Now the utterly rubbish UK entry... US style 60s pop? I don't know how to describe it... but Mr Andy Abraham is not even in tune...
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:15:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Thanks, you describe it well. :-)
by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:16:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Albania now...

Gentle guitar intro, soulful lady singer...
Advantage... so far she's in tune, even on the difficult bits.
Disadvantage, it's another power ballad. And the guitars are a bit dissonant.

It's all in Albanian, so there's nothing I can tell you about the lyrics.

Apparently the writers wanted to preserve the nuances.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:19:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
The singer is finding the strongest parts of the song a bit of a strain, but the audience seem fairly happy.
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:20:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Albania is on. What is the purpose of the wind, while she is singing?
by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:20:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (4.00 / 3)
To make her look dramatic of course!
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:21:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Ha, ha, ha - silly me.
by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:23:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Oh, sometimes Fran you are so innocent. It's very appealing ;-)

You can't be me, I'm taken
by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:50:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Germany - No Angels... who according to DoDo are making a comeback at Eurovision. It seems they want to be a cross between the Spice Girls and Sugababes... but I don't think they have quite the necessary snap.

They are singing in English.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:22:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Yeap, sounds a bit boring.

So far I liked the first one from Romania best. But I am not sure I am going to watch the whole thing. :-)

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:24:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Yes, where's DoDo? I can't keep this up all evening...
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:28:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Next up Armenia... Sirusho.

There's a lady singing and the intro sounds like a local twist on a dance song.

But now she's mostly singing in English. Standard Eurodance, with local pipes and drums in the chorus sections. More local than many so far.

Her voice is straining a bit, but I could see this as the leader so far (ignoring political voting patterns.)

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:27:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
 Bosnia & Herzegovina - Laka
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:29:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (4.00 / 2)
Interesting costumes... lead singer in punk polka dot and background in wedding dress. Lead man in a school uniform type thing?

He's now the main singer... I can't really reference it. I've gone blank. Not much instrumentation at first and lots of repetitive statement singing.

Now the chorus begins, lots of power chords.

This is a rather fragmented song, it has some aesthetic value in the juxtaposition of quiet and loud, but I don't know if it's a winner. Maybe if you have a better feeling for the lyrics than I it has more effect.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:32:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Of course, the cut away to the forced party in front of the City Hall is classic Eurovision. Complete with the cheerleading for the city of Belgrade and the dodgy presenter.
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:33:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Israel - Boaz (Fire in your eyes)

Good opening, lyrical, powerful female voice.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:34:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Oops, make that a male voice... seems to be another ballad style, but more lyrical than most so far. If he can hold it together I think the anthemic qualities of the chorus might make it a good bet...
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:35:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Oh dear, he's lost pitch on the transition from Hebrew? to English. Got back on the chorus.

I suppose technically it's a bit bland... but hey, it's Eurovision.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:36:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Boaz is the name that ye shall not speak, of the Hyramists. I'm surprised that they let Freemasons into Eurovision.

You can't be me, I'm taken
by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:52:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (4.00 / 3)
Now Sven's favourite!

Finland - Teräsbetoni

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:37:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (4.00 / 2)
Oh Lordi... we have metal in the house. We who are about to rock, salute you!

This is pretty much the best technical performance... whether it's to your taste is a different matter.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:39:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Not entirely embarrassing. He has a good tenor hidden in there. They have good songs in the pastiche heavy genre - this isn't one of them.

You can't be me, I'm taken
by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:55:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (4.00 / 2)
Croatia - Kraljevi Ulice & 75 Cents

Now this is heavy hip hop influenced at opening. But at the same time it uses local tropes. And now it's a traditional sort of tango instrumentation, with just a male crooner.

Tango crooning... what can you say?

He's a good singer. Now the other guy is back, white, 75 years old and shouty rapping. It all kind of works, it's witty, but is it enough?

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:44:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
I heard dozens of such songs in Croatia.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.
by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:02:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (4.00 / 4)
Poland - Isis Gee

A sort of Whitney Houston song from this lady. One of the slow romantic ones. She's got a stronger, better voice than most. Violins accompany the chorus.

It's on a technical par with the Finnish metal, but is it more of a fit for the voting tastes?

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:47:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
This looks like a two-pipe job - and we're only an hour in....

You can't be me, I'm taken
by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:57:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Croatia: I know that stíyle too much to (a) really like it (b) judge how others take it, but I guess OK.

Poland: sings with the exact same voice as a Hungarian-American starlet...

Iceland: a solid performance this time (I recall the female's voice was awful), may get higher.

Turkey: is there a year I don't like the Turkish contender? Music a forgettable pop-rock, but he sings in an interesting way.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 03:59:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Portugalia: they tried a new twist on power ballad.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.
by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:03:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
I liked it, as there was still a touch of Fado in it.
by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:05:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Latvia: the Pirates arrived!

But, hey, these guys are a bunch of DJ Bobo clones! (Fran, is he suing for copyright?) But enjoy themselves a lot.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:06:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (4.00 / 2)
DJ Bobo is himself a composite of a thousand influences... Yello springs to mind...
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:10:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Yea. DJ Bobo used to be extremely popular here, and the Socialists liked to invite him to public and party events, too.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.
by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:17:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
I didn't realise DJ Bobo was that known, thought he was a local thing.
by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:21:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Sweden: not as awful as first time, and I can see how it can be a catchy song for the party. Still, I am not convinced.

Demark: vintage talent show so-so, too much repetition.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:15:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Georgia: started interesting, then became a more painful power ballad or what.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.
by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:18:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Ukraine: amalgam of Madonna, late seventies disco, and Ruslana, also brings in the most sex appeal to date, and can sing out the traditional Eurovision female singer high finish - indeed seems a top contender!

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.
by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:23:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
France: fifties a-capella with late sixties beard and sunglasses. The wind blows his hair, too - for that joke alone I love it!

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.
by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:25:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
DoDo:
The wind blows his hair, too

So, I guess we can say it also had a dramatic touch. :-)

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:32:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Spain: I don't know what that toupee was about, but funny. Still no top contender, not for singing throughout like of the box.

Serbia: grandiose ballad, but it reminds me of something. Expected something better from the hosts.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:41:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Russia: Edwin Marton and Plushchenko as support!!! Three boy superstars together, that's bound to be one too much. Good performances, but I found the song lacking.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.
by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:46:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Norway: good performer with good voice, almost too good for Eurovision, but got a forgettable song to sing. It's a shame.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.
by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:49:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Azerbaidjan: angel vs. devil, an opera singer and a folk singer playing scream-metal. Song awful, performance interesting, but didn't get why the devil turns into another angel at the end.

Greece: etno-ish-R&B-with-sex-bomb, seems run-of-the-mill.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:33:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision liveblogging (none / 0)
So far I have to say that, since crossover is my thing, the influence of non-Western European music into kitsch is quite interesting.  I also like the interludes with the dancers and surrealism.

IKEA is ultimately not a good thing as a business/production model but it has exposed clean design to the European masses - even if the bits that you don't see are made of cardboard.

IKEA is next year's Eurovision.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:03:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Latvia - Pirates Of The Sea

Now, the singing pirates!

True Euro-kitsch. "With a Hi Hi Ho and a Hi Hi Hey!"

It'd wouldn't be Eurovision without a performance like this...

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:04:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
The self-irony of kitsch is really hard to explain to someone without a sense of humour. I've tried it...

You can't be me, I'm taken
by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:07:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Metatone (none / 0)
And I always thought you were so serious ;-)

You can't be me, I'm taken
by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:05:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Metatone (none / 1)
Serious? Moi/Watashi? ;-)
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:11:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Sweden - Charlotte Perrelli

Hm, Charlotte started rocky, but she's belting out the chorus. She looks anorexic. And the verse parts are a bit unmusical.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:09:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Ooops, I lost a few into the main Eurovision section.
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:14:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Georgia - Diana Gurtskaya

Well, the visuals are striking. They look like Pulp. Lots of dark glasses, leather and black shirts.

Kind of Eighties. Choppy, formalised, stilted chorus. It's a good contrast to what has gone before. Mind you it kind of feels a bit like a chorus from a West End show...

Pretty decent overall, IMO.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:17:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (4.00 / 2)
Ukraine - Ani Lorak

Uh oh... watch out... one of the 800lbs Gorillas is on.

Mind you, she's got the sexy presentation down.

Euro-disco... violins in the chorus are tuned in the folk manner, which helps.

Now that is a powerful voice. And the choreography is nearly Kylie standard. Overall I can see why this is the favourite to win. Lots of energy, very professional performance.

Not distinctive tho, but this is Eurovision, is distinctive what wins?

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:22:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (4.00 / 2)
France - Sébastien Tellier

Hmmmmmmmmmm
what can you say?

More pastiche. I don't think it's a winner. I mean it's fun, but the technicals are a bit lacking. You need both to really hit the heights.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:26:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
LOL, is all I can say about Azerbaijan. :-)
by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:30:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
I've lost a couple more to the other section... I so didn't plan this properly.
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:33:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Spain - Rodolfo Chikilicuatre

Aha... pastiche rides again...

Baila El Chiki Chiki

Now this is truly in the best traditions of Eurovision.

Did kcurie write this?

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:36:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (4.00 / 2)
Surely the mythic resonance of bad rap, Star Trek costume dancers and an Ali G impersonator is unbeatable?
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:38:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
The bad rap is brillaint.. it comes from Pedro Guerra a famous composer of beatiful non-rap songs. P. guerra doe snto like stupid rap.. and he took revenge.

Lyrics is absolutely brilliant... a pity people do nto udnerstand spanish....teh movie director who wrote was on the spot.

ANd I msut say I enjoye the performance. i liked the scary look int he initial fireowrks. The coreography and the "falling" girls.. it is difficult to fall down.. adn one of the falling was quite excellent.

Star trek reference brilliant...

And the impersoantor was not supposed to be Ali G.. it is supposed to be an ex-southamerica (argentinian accent) "deep" composer who moved to commericial and has to put a "good face" to the change... asking for an opportunity. This allows him to make fun and to laught at himself when the actor is impersonating...

Here is the same actor impersonating an "asshole" (gilipollas)..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCaQ-iAQplY&feature=related

or "the asshole goes to Irak"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_L9NSGYkgU&feature=related

I love the way how they call Donald Rumsfeld...

A pleasure

I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men's minds without their being aware of the fact. Levi-Strauss, Claude

by kcurie on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 07:51:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Serbia - Jelena Tomašević feat. Bora Dugic

The Home Nation!

Now that's a soulful beginning. And it doesn't sound American. +4 so far...

Sure it's another ballad, with some Celine Dion/Titanic touches, but it's a good effort.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:40:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
And again lots of wind, thus dramatic - but I liked it.
by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:43:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (4.00 / 2)
Everyone should bring hairdriers to ET meets that Fran attends. It is important to check that the Restaurants have sufficient power outlets of the correct voltage and amperage.

You can't be me, I'm taken
by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:49:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
There is no need for that, I am pretty good at creating lots of hot air and wind all by myself. :-D
by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:57:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
So you're a vegetarian? ;-)

You can't be me, I'm taken
by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:59:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Yes, but I leave that kind of hot air to the carnivores.
by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 05:03:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Of course these dryers will have no effect for most of us older males, but they may suppress the senile dribbling a bit.

You can't be me, I'm taken
by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:57:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Russia - Dima Bilan

The other heavyweight... looks like a boy band crooner gone solo.

It won't be getting my vote. Very melodramatic. But I can see it will be popular with some demographics. His voice is quite decent.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:44:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Norway - Maria

Another ballad. She has a reasonable voice, but she's stumbling on singing in English. Now this is a Mariah clone? But more old fashioned touches... Euro-backward...

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:48:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
but she's stumbling on singing in English.

Didn't notice... maybe because I my stumbling in spoken English is much worse :-)

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:51:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Well, she just started badly... it may just have been a bad start in any language... ;-)
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:53:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
That's it... I'm worn out. No more liveblogging for me tonight.
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:48:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Oh, don't be such a wimp.... ;-)

You can't be me, I'm taken
by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:51:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Thanks, Metatone. Your comments made all the difference. I think I would have given up earlier if it wouldn't have been for yours and DoDo's comments.
by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:54:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
You're welcome, Fran.
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:56:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
My own choices would be:

06    Bosnia & Herzegovina BHRT    Laka complete participant profile    Pokušaj
07    Israel IBA    Boaz complete participant profile    The Fire In Your Eyes
12    Turkey TRT    Mor ve Ötesi complete participant profile    Deli
13    Portugal RTP    Vânia Fernandes complete participant profile    Senhora Do Mar (Negras Águas)
14    Latvia LTV    Pirates Of The Sea complete participant profile    Wolves Of The Sea
18    Ukraine NTU    Ani Lorak complete participant profile    Shady Lady
19    France France 3    Sébastien Tellier complete participant profile    Divine
22    Spain TVE    Rodolfo Chikilicuatre complete participant profile    Baila El Chiki Chiki

Ones I think will feature in the top 10:

06    Bosnia & Herzegovina BHRT    Laka complete participant profile    Pokušaj
07    Israel IBA    Boaz complete participant profile    The Fire In Your Eyes
08    Finland YLE    Teräsbetoni complete participant profile    Missä Miehet Ratsastaa
11    Iceland RÚV    Euroband complete participant profile    This Is My Life
12    Turkey TRT    Mor ve Ötesi complete participant profile    Deli
15    Sweden SVT    Charlotte Perrelli complete participant profile    Hero
18    Ukraine NTU    Ani Lorak complete participant profile    Shady Lady
21    Greece ERT    Kalomira complete participant profile    Secret Combination
22    Spain TVE    Rodolfo Chikilicuatre complete participant profile    Baila El Chiki Chiki
24    Russia RTR    Dima Bilan complete participant profile    Believe

Final winner: Ukraine the second?

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 04:59:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Interesting choices. I can't fully comment because I'm blogging downstairs and the TV is upstairs - so I haven't seen them all. But in general the non-mainstream cultures are the most interesting. The French entry was not suitable for that big stage and situation, and the only thing of amusement about the Spanish entry was the video prologue that featured phallic bicycle attacks.

Finland will come second.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 05:05:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Bosnia and Israel somehow didn't strike a chord with me.
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 05:12:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Where I have to say that I only saw the clip during the voting of Israel, I missed it live.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.
by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 05:19:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
As traditional, the best performance is out of contest, the filler when the votes are counted... Zoran Bregovic, of Kusturica movies fame.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.
by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 05:18:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Yes, that was good - I enjoyed it very much.
by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 05:23:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (4.00 / 2)
Terry Wogan, doing the BBC commentary, talked over most of Goran Bregovic's set. He'd probably already had a wee drink or three to get him through the evening, and he clearly had no idea of who Bregovic is.
by Gag Halfrunt on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 07:51:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
That's sad...

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 08:20:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
So I got 6 out of 10 right.

  • Armenia was okay, I just thought they don't have enough pre-competition market to cash in big, and too many rivals with similar stuff.
  • Azerbaidjan seemed better at collecting on the weirdness factor than Spain, and the metal factor than Finland.
  • It seems a lot of people recognised the quality of Norway'sa singer's voice despite the lacking song.
  • And Serbia - I compared to my expectations.

I should have kept to my gut feelings about Sweden and Iceland.

:: ::

Have you noticed that every time they showed Dima, a girl waved a red-white-green flag in the background with "Edvin" written across it? That was for the Hungarian violin player Edvin Marton, who is the permanent on-stage performer for Russian ice skating wonder and Olympic champion Plushchenko. The three together must be the perfect boy group for a Russian audience, and stars all across the diaspora.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 06:19:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 1)
Oh, and Germany, Poland, UK last - entirely deserved, though in the opposite order.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.
by DoDo on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 06:26:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Greece, Russia, Turkey in the early lead.
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 05:29:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Science v Religion (none / 0)
The safest place to bury treasure is where no-one would ever imagine. In the Eurovision liveblogging section!

From Steven Pinker, Harvard University psychology professor and author of "How the Mind Works":

Yes, if by "science" we mean the entire enterprise of secular reason and knowledge (including history and philosophy), not just people with test tubes and white lab coats. Traditionally, a belief in God was attractive because it promised to explain the deepest puzzles about origins. Where did the world come from? What is the basis of life? How can the mind arise from the body? Why should anyone be moral?

Yet over the millennia, there has been an inexorable trend: the deeper we probe these questions, and the more we learn about the world in which we live, the less reason there is to believe in God.

Start with the origin of the world. Today no honest and informed person can maintain that the universe came into being a few thousand years ago and assumed its current form in six days (to say nothing of absurdities like day and night existing before the sun was created). Nor is there a more abstract role for God to play as the ultimate first cause. This trick simply replaces the puzzle of "Where did the universe come from?" with the equivalent puzzle "Where did God come from?"



You can't be me, I'm taken
by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 05:50:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Science v Religion (none / 0)
Sven, why here?
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 05:53:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Science v Religion (none / 0)
Buried treasure ;-)

You can't be me, I'm taken
by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 06:05:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
So Russia won. The demographic predictors were correct again.
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 06:10:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Eurovision! (none / 0)
Geopolitics, emigration/inmigration are unbeatable....

I did not know we ahd so few spaniards post-doc and erasmus in germany.... and that france had so many "adjerbajins?".

A pleasure

I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men's minds without their being aware of the fact. Levi-Strauss, Claude

by kcurie on Sat May 24th, 2008 at 07:35:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]