ESC 2011: Paradise Oskar speaks out, vol 2

Paradise Oskar continues with his likes and dislikes, opinions and comments on the songs of the second semifinal. Read the first part here. The last part is coming tomorrow.

Hungary: This makes you wanna dance instantly! Really modern, today's pop. Cascada meets Celine Dion. The chorus is really melodic and gets into your head. The song itself isn't that original but stays in your mind for its strong atmosphere. The lyrics are a bit lame, I wish she had sung about something more original.

Portugal: Gives you a good mood, a happy protest song against something. I wish they had done something funnier than those signs, change cloathes with each other or something. Very theatral but not surprising. I don't get it all in the end.

Lithuania: This is written by someone who really knows the art of songwriting, melodies and harmonies. Much more interresting than most. Excellent singer. But it's hard to listen til the end. The beginning is boring until the Disney gear kicks in and the orchestration gets more and more interesting but it's too late by then. Lyrics aren't that interesting either.

Azerbaijan: Nice pop tune, you could hear this on radio. The chorus is quite catchy and even maybe a little bit touching. But not so interesting, original or personal. Lyrics are rather bland just "running scared, running scared..." Overproduced.

Greece: I don't really listen to hiphop so I'm not the right one to comment on this. Maybe he's telling important things I don't know? But it's tough, the intro goes on and on, then comes the rap, and finally the chorus comes going nowhere. Gloomy and dark. Not for me.

Bosnia-Herzegovina: Nice folksy rhythm music! Rather autenthic with nice groove. The same rhythm as in Norway's winning song by Rybak. The musicians are pretenting to play the instruments in a fantastic way, especially the woman who plays Rhodes even if the piano is playing. It's not the same thing! Not catchy enough to sing along except the wou-wou parts that fit this song.

Austria: Really good singer and voice. Melody is nice, too. Has the Disney-vibe but in a nice way. But it isn't giving the feeling the singer is telling you something. Bland lyrics and it really never gets going.

Netherlands: This is so good, really good! He is my favourite singer of these year's singers and has amazing voice! Absolutely the best melody and modern sound that works. This makes me feel so good! I don't quite get the lyrics though, and I preferred it in Dutch when I really didn't understand a thing. The chorus could be a bit stronger so people would have something to hold on to.

Belgium: Full accapella that gets some extra points from me instantly. They do a great effort and they all know their part. I hope they can pull this live as well as on record. But the song is a bit bland and the only thing making it stand out is it's accapella. I wonder if people will vote something this jazzy? Maybe there's even too many drum solos and such...

Slovakia: How old are these girls? It will be nice to meet them in Germany. Rather nice and catchy melody. Not bad but is this slow or fast? What is it all about (while watching the video with woman giving birth, floods, and such)? I'm confused. Should I feel warm hearted or go to dance?

Ukraine: I only watched this til the end because Mika is so cute and can sing. Acoustic guitar and the bass remind me of 90's pop like Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys. But this is heard so many times. And if you have 3 minutes why waste it singing stuff like "we are people living on a planet"...

Moldova: These guys had last time the granny beating the drum! Now the only positive thing are the Ku Klux Klan hats and the fairy on wheels (not seen on preview video). This isn't going anywhere. You watch the live performance if you don't have to listen. Boring melody if it even has one? Does it have a chorus? It's energetic but still not.

Sweden: Great modulation. One recognises Fredrik Kempe song right away. Very Swedish and polished. They have put a lot of effort and you can see and hear it. You can sing along the chorus and dance to it. This has a great stage show, breaking glass and all but what's the purpose of it? Only seeking attention? Everyone will surely remember the song's title as it is repeated so many times it starts to irritate in the end. Otherwise there isn't much of a message, is there? Is that Rasputin thing a sample? If it is then it's against the rules but it works here.

Cyprus: First this sounds nice with real instruments, mandolin and such. Appearence of the female singer all of sudden is a surprise. But such a artifical video: man standing in suit in a forest and on a beach. Melody doesn't go anywhere. Then comes the rougher part of the song in the middle. Leaves you with strange feelings.

Bulgaria: She has a nice voice. There are some dangerously high notes but I believe she will manage them live, too. Chorus has a flexible melody, better than most. Not bad at all. The sound is very 90's and heard before though. The staging is a bit strange when they sit at first and then stand up but the song stays the same.

Paradise Oskar's favourites from the second semifinal are The Netherlands, Sweden and Hungary. "I met the Dutch guys in Amsterdam and they were really pleased I named them as my favourites" he tells. He met more closely also the artists from Austria, Bulgaria and Ukraine but is not promising any Eurovision romances yet. "One girl came to tell me how much she likes my song but unfortunately I don't remember who it was!" he confesses...

Source: Iltalehti

Comments

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