tisdag 22 Maj 2012, 14:39
MONTENEGRO
Rambo Amadeus - Euro Neuro
This…is absolutely bizarre. It's a rather unique way to open the show, there's certainly no other entry that could be easily compared with this one. The demographic for this entry seems extremely limited, the Juries will completely ignore it and given Montenegro's already disastrous record at Eurovision…
Prediction: Non-Qualifier.
—
ICELAND
Gréta Salóme & Jónsi - Never Forget
If a pure song is going to win this year's contest, I'd say Iceland would be the one. Powerful and dramatic, the vocals should be spine-tingling. Completely in a class of it's own, I'd say.
Prediction: Qualifier.
—
GREECE
Eleftheria Eleftheriou - Aphrodisiac
Nothing out of the ordinary from Greece this year. If the vocals are up to scratch, then I don't see why this won't qualify. I don't see it making too much of an impact come Sunday, though.
Prediction: Qualifier.
—
LATVIA
Anmary - Beautiful Song
A quirky little song, this one's not going to appeal to everybody. The namedropping might be more of a hindrance than a help. I like it, but it's going to face an uphill battle to qualify. If Greece performs quite poorly before, and Anmary nails it then I'd say it's in with a shot.
Prediction: Borderline Non-Qualifier.
—
ALBANIA
Rona Nishliu - Suus
Another song that will divide the viewing audience. No doubt the vocal performance will be quite powerful. I think there's room for another ballad to qualify with Iceland, and I'm personally leaning towards Albania over the others. It’s either this or Belgium, and Belgium seems more Jury friendly…so…
Prediction: Borderline Non-Qualifier.
—
The weather's just turned appropriate for this entry. It's a fun song that makes for a nice contrast from the Albanian entry beforehand. I don't think coming after the first Ad Break will hinder this too much. An eyecatching performance will see this one through.
Prediction: Qualifier.
—
SWITZERLAND
Sinplus - Unbreakable
The very first entry chosen for Baku, it feels like it's been around forever. Switzerland always have an uphill struggle for qualifying, and I fear this might miss out too. I think it's going to be a battle between this, Hungary and Israel for one spot. This having the earlier draw of the three, and Switerland’s poor record…
Prediction: Borderline Non-Qualifier.
—
Needs to be vocally perfect, but don't discount Belgium's chances this year. If the Juries saved Lithuania's entry last year, I feel they could do the same for Belgium this year. It's nice enough, certainly overshadows the entry that comes afterwards.
Prediction: Borderline Qualifier.
—
FINLAND
Pernilla Karlsson - När Jag Blundar
Totally nondescript song that will fail to make any impact with the viewing audience. This is perhaps the most monotonous Eurovision entry that I've ever heard.
Prediction: Non-Qualifier.
—
Another pop-rock entry competing against Switzerland and Hungary. This one is probably the most polarizing of the three, given the falsetto vocals. I think it's another early exit for Israel this year.
Prediction: Non-Qualifier.
—
SAN MARINO
Valentina Monetta - The Social Network Song (Oh Oh-Uh-Oh Oh)
Okay, hands up, this is my guilty pleasure of this year's contest. I can't even defend it…the Uh-Oh's are kinda catchy? Italy should give it a few points, but otherwise? Bring back Senit!
Prediction: Non-Qualifier.
—
CYPRUS
Ivi Adamou - La La Love
Whilst I think the fans have overestimated it's chances, it should completely overshadow San Marino. I think this one is quite instant, and with an eyecatching routine…
Prediction: Qualifier.
—
DENMARK
Soluna Samay - Should've Known Better
Another one of my favourites this year. A nice change of pace from the previous entry, and the calm before the storm of the next entry. I'm confident of a good vocal on this one.
Prediction: Qualifier.
—
RUSSIA
Buranovskiye Babushki - Party For Everybody
This year's Verka Serduchka. It's going to do far better than it really deserves to. Fun enough, but not one of my personal favourites.
Prediction: Qualifier.
—
HUNGARY
Compact Disco - Sound Of Our Hearts
If only one of Switzerland, Israel and Hungary is to qualify, then I'm going with Hungary. I've always felt this is the most underrated entry this year, and I'm hoping it does very well.
Prediction: Borderline Qualifier.
—
AUSTRIA
Trackshittaz - Woki Mit Deim Popo
From the sublime Nadine Beiler to…this. It's going to rely on televotes to get through, and I just don't see it having enough appeal to do so. This kind of genre doesn't tend to do well at Eurovision, and the lack of English hurts it, especially given the sing-along nature of the chorus.
Prediction: Non-Qualifier.
—
MOLDOVA
Pasha Parfeny - Lăutar
Another entry that’s a lot of fun. Much catchier and instant than Austria before it. Between the great draw and Moldova’s qualifying record…
Prediction: Qualifier.
—
Not going to lie, on initial listen I prefer this to last year’s Lipstick. However, it’s not quite as attention grabbing and relies more on a good vocal performance than Lipstick did. No doubt it’ll look good onstage.
Prediction: Qualifier.
—
Therefore, my ten picks for qualification in the first Semi-Final are:
Iceland: Gréta Salóme & Jónsi - Never Forget
Greece: Eleftheria Eleftheriou - Aphrodisiac
Romania: Mandinga - Zaleilah
Belgium: Iris - Would You
Cyprus: Ivi Adamou - La La Love
Denmark: Soluna Samay - Should've Known Better
Russia: Buranovskiye Babushki - Party For Everybody
Hungary: Compact Disco - Sound Of Our Hearts
Moldova: Pasha Parfeny - Lăutar
Ireland: Jedward - Waterline