Euro(vision) Crisis
In a parallel universe, not so different from this, the month of May marks the start of Eurovision Song Contest. Yes, it's that campy annual singing competition that everyone (European) loves to hate.
On initial glance, I thought that the song entries for this year were exceptionally bad, and deliberately so in order to ensure that the representative country would have no chance of winning.
Apparently, winning the contest comes with the honour of hosting competition in the following year. And these times of European austerity, the privilege of hosting Eurovision has become some sort of curse.
I've digressed.
So thankfully, there are interesting gems out there.
1) Gréta Salóme and Jónsi - Never Forget (Iceland)
I know what you are thinking, but no. I'm not blindly supportive of anything Icelandic just because of my slight obsession with Bjork. The music video is teeming with such melodrama, it simply compels me to watch it repeatedly. Haha.
Long lost lovers. Check.
Violin solo performance with awkward spasms. Check.
Strings with booming timpani. check.
Dramatic mid-video pause. Check.
Snow covered landscapes, auroras. Check.
Of course, I personally find the song more apt for some epic wartime battle, as opposed to a rather banal story of reuniting lovers. -___-
2) Pastora Soler - Quédate Conmigo (Spain)
A simple music video shot on the budget, allowing Soler's voice to really shine...
She reminds me of Celine Dion though.
3) Compact Disco - Sound Of Our Hearts (Hungary)
This is what I would define as "my type of song". Admittedly, it boasts of neither strong vocals, lyrics or tune, but the lush, layered style is reminiscent of my favourite electronic artists such as Hybrid, BT.
Very atypical of a Eurovision song.
2) Jedward - Waterline (Ireland)
I might have liked this song if I was a decade younger (OMG). Worst of all, they remind me of Steps. Agad, now I feel like bashing their stupid grinning faces.
3) Trackshittaz - Woki Mit Deim Popo (Austria)
Just plain f*^$ing annoying.
4) Buranovskiye Babushki - Party For Everybody (Russia)
Okay, the song isn't annoying, but it bugs me that they are exploiting grannies to gain votes. Say no to elderly labour!
1) Rona Nishliu - Suus (Albania)
This is probably the most depressing Eurovision song I've ever heard. The music video is disturbingly dark, and complete with extreme vocal histrionics.
2) Max Jason Mai - Don't close your eyes (Slovakia)
Arguably the angriest song of the lot, yet a refreshing change of genre amidst the sickly sweet songs out there.
3) Pernilla Karlsson - Nar jag blundar (Finland)
I don't even know whether Scandinavian jazz exists as a genre. But this has to be it. Stripped down to the bare basics, accompanied by a piano, cello and a dancer.
On initial glance, I thought that the song entries for this year were exceptionally bad, and deliberately so in order to ensure that the representative country would have no chance of winning.
Apparently, winning the contest comes with the honour of hosting competition in the following year. And these times of European austerity, the privilege of hosting Eurovision has become some sort of curse.
I've digressed.
So thankfully, there are interesting gems out there.
My Personal Top 3 Favourite Songs
1) Gréta Salóme and Jónsi - Never Forget (Iceland)
I know what you are thinking, but no. I'm not blindly supportive of anything Icelandic just because of my slight obsession with Bjork. The music video is teeming with such melodrama, it simply compels me to watch it repeatedly. Haha.
Long lost lovers. Check.
Violin solo performance with awkward spasms. Check.
Strings with booming timpani. check.
Dramatic mid-video pause. Check.
Snow covered landscapes, auroras. Check.
Of course, I personally find the song more apt for some epic wartime battle, as opposed to a rather banal story of reuniting lovers. -___-
2) Pastora Soler - Quédate Conmigo (Spain)
A simple music video shot on the budget, allowing Soler's voice to really shine...
She reminds me of Celine Dion though.
3) Compact Disco - Sound Of Our Hearts (Hungary)
This is what I would define as "my type of song". Admittedly, it boasts of neither strong vocals, lyrics or tune, but the lush, layered style is reminiscent of my favourite electronic artists such as Hybrid, BT.
Very atypical of a Eurovision song.
The Top 3 Most Annoying Songs
1) Valentina Monetta - The Social Network Song (OH OH -- Uh - OH OH) (San Marino)A deliberately blatant attempt to capitalize on the popularity of social media, but isn't that so... erm. 2008? Every minute of the song feels like I'm watching a dead horse being flogged.2) Jedward - Waterline (Ireland)
I might have liked this song if I was a decade younger (OMG). Worst of all, they remind me of Steps. Agad, now I feel like bashing their stupid grinning faces.
3) Trackshittaz - Woki Mit Deim Popo (Austria)
Just plain f*^$ing annoying.
4) Buranovskiye Babushki - Party For Everybody (Russia)
Okay, the song isn't annoying, but it bugs me that they are exploiting grannies to gain votes. Say no to elderly labour!
The Understated Gems
1) Rona Nishliu - Suus (Albania)
This is probably the most depressing Eurovision song I've ever heard. The music video is disturbingly dark, and complete with extreme vocal histrionics.
2) Max Jason Mai - Don't close your eyes (Slovakia)
Arguably the angriest song of the lot, yet a refreshing change of genre amidst the sickly sweet songs out there.
3) Pernilla Karlsson - Nar jag blundar (Finland)
I don't even know whether Scandinavian jazz exists as a genre. But this has to be it. Stripped down to the bare basics, accompanied by a piano, cello and a dancer.
Labels: Eurovision 2012, Iceland
posted by Kelvin Lim at 2:41 pm
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