Eurovision 2011 - Semifinal 1

I've already reviewed this year's songs on this blog (see April 2011 down the right-hand side), so this is something of an update. I have put this on my music blog (rather than my TV blog) as this is intended to be a critique on how well the songs were performed live, rather than the show itself. I've also added my verdict on the chances of each song getting through, and the actual result. Given that (in most cases) I didn't even know what these people looked like, let alone how they would be staged, there were bound to be some big surprises. And there certainly were.

Firstly, I wish Scott Mills would stop trying to be Terry Wogan with his commentary. He isn't Terry Wogan, and I for one am grateful for that. However, he was largely positive and witty, and most of the barbed insults came from the viewers' tweets that he read out, rather than him.
Secondly, Sara Cox is the devil incarnate and should never been seen or heard. Ever. Especially on TV. I don't know what the original German broadcast was showing during her bits, but it cannot have been worse than what we had to put up with from her.
Thirdly, the overall staging of the show in Dusseldorf is superb. The stage is massive, and the LED backdrop looks fantastic. Fair play, Germany have pulled out all the stops in spectacular fashion. I won't be commenting on the German presenters, particularly since we don't get to hear much of them anyway.

And, finally, the songs...

1. Magdalena Tul - Jestem (Poland)
First song of the contest... better make a good impression, then. Or not. For starters, the vocals were not great, and far from improved as the song went on. The backup singers only made matters worse, especially when Magdalena decided to leave them do most of the chorus whilst she "yeah yeah"d and strutted about. As for the staging, basic white outfits, basic patterns on the back screen, and jets of steam. Way to make an impact.
Verdict: Nope.
Result: Out.

2. Stella Mwangi - Haba Haba (Norway)
On record, Stella's voice isn't great, so it was no big shock when she was absolutely terrible live. But it's a big song that made me picture a big, multicoloured stage-filled extravaganza. But it wasn't quite. The Whigfield-esque interlude leant itself nicely to a memorable dance routine... But no.
Verdict: Disappointingly, no.
Result: Out.

3. Aurela Gace - Feel The Passion (Albania)
Nice wings effect on the rear screen, and the vocals were very strong, as they needed to be. The pyrotechnics were good too. Overall, turned a so-so song into a potential contender.
Verdict: Maybe.
Result: Out.

4. Emmy - Boom Boom (Armenia)
One of the more memorable songs (for good or bad), but oddly staged with a distracting giant boxing glove. Wisely, most of the dancing was left to the men with the bulging pecs, so in theory the female vocals wouldn't suffer... Unfortunately, they did.
Verdict: Maybe.
Result: Out.

5. Yuksek Sadakat - Live It Up (Turkey)
The song sounded pretty good live, as you should expect from a rock band, although the look was a bit 80s hair metal (except for the bald singer of course). The contortionist in the hamster cage only distracted from what is actually a pretty good song.
Verdict: Yes.
Result: Out. A big shock.

6. Nina - Charoban (Serbia)
The psychedelic 60s sound was matched perfectly with the colourful visuals and outfits. Keeping the stage bright worked well too as it held your attention much better than the previous, darker performances. Add in the excellent vocals, and they have greatly improved their chances.
Verdict: Maybe.
Result: Through.

7. Alexej Vorobjov - Get You (Russia)
You're fit, but my gosh don't you know it. Strong vocals, strong visuals, good song. Points off for the winks to camera and overdone choreography, but points back on for the effective lighting on the clothing.
Verdict: Yes.
Result: Through.

8. Anna Rossinelli - In Love For A While (Switzerland)
A nicely simple staging- two guys with instruments, pretty girl in the middle with bright summery visuals. A perfect match for the bright, summery song. The vocals were spot-on too.
Verdict: Yes.
Result: Through. A pleasant surprise.

9. Eldrine - One More Day (Georgia)
Odd costume choices, in that they looked like costumes, rather than clothes. But it's a modern nu-metal song, with a powerful performance.
Verdict: Maybe.
Result: Through.

10. Paradise Oskar - Da Da Dam (Finland)
A Jeff Brazier lookalike, a guitar, a massive LED globe. A simple, but effective performance for a simple, but effective song. He sang it well, through it did drip of more than a little schmaltz.
Verdict: Yes. Despite myself.
Result: Through. A no-brainer.

11. Glen Vella - One Life (Malta)
On the CD, I thought that this was sung by a woman! It turns out to be Justin, the gay nephew from Ugly Betty, who gives his all in an energetic song that goes nowhere. It was all very colourful and he seemed to have a ball. Good for him.
Verdict: No.
Result: Out. Another no-brainer.

12. Senit - Stand By (San Marino)
One of the most forgettable (though not unpleasant) songs in the contest, this needed something special to stick in the mind. Unfortunately the performance was as competently bland as the song.
Verdict: No.
Result: Out.

13. Daria - Celebrate (Croatia)
I honestly thought this was sung by a man. Apparently not. I think. Even a Jerry Sadowitz lookalike and two impressive on-stage costume changes couldn't make up for the dodgy vocals. It felt like watching someone making the most of a party to which nobody else turned up.
Verdict: No.
Result: Out.

14. Sjonni's Friends: Coming Home (Iceland)
This song requires a quick story beforehand, as it may appear inexplicably popular. The original singer (and songwriter) Sjonni died just before he was due to perform this at Iceland's song selection competition. His friends stepped in to sing it for him, and got through. And, despite being distracted by David Brent (played by Pauline Quirke), I thought they did a more than decent job of what must have been a very tough performance. Still not a fan of the song's overly folksy production, but there's a decent melody in there. They did their friend proud.
Verdict: Yes.
Result: Through.

15. Kati Wolf - What About My Dreams? (Hungary)
Not a fan of the demented facial expressions, the surprising lack of stage presence, the horrid outfit, the disappointing vocals, and the loss of the second verse. But it's a great song. Honest.
Verdict: Yes, but only for the song.
Result: Through.

16. Homens Da Luta - A Luta E Alegria (Portugal)
The "comedy" protest song. Or a multicoloured update on The Village People. I'm not sure what they're protesting, but it appears to be music. Even they looked bored by the end of the first minute.
Verdict: Hell no.
Result: Out. T.F.

17. Evelina Sashenko - C'est Ma Vie (Lithuania)
A simple, old-fashioned piano ballad, the kind of thing Ireland kept winning with in the 1990s. She sang it very well, but it's still nothing to write home about.
Verdict: No.
Result: Surprisingly, through! But then, anything would sound good after Portugal's.

18. Ell / Nikki - Running Scared (Azerbaijan)
Much like last year's Azerbaijan entry, it's a fab, nicely produced ballad, and is absolutely terrible live. The staging was all very dramatic with longing glances and pyrotechnic rain... but another one of the favourites might have just blown it.
Verdict: Yes, but again only for the song.
Result: Through.

19. Loucas Yiorkas feat. Stereo Mike - Watch My Dance (Greece)
Nicely staged, strong vocals, handsome singer... but it's a very odd song, and the rapper is simply terrible.
Verdict: No.
Result: Of course it's through, it's Greece.

Overall verdict:
I can't really disagree too much with the results. The two strongest songs (Azerbaijan & Hungary) made it through, despite two of the weakest performances, and some expected favourites (Norway, Turkey, Armenia) have fallen by the wayside in favour of unexpectedly strong performances from the likes of Switzerland, Lithuania and Serbia.

However, it's definitely the weaker of the two semis, in terms of the songs. There are at least a dozen songs in the second semi that deserve to go through, and I know who I want the ten qualifiers to be, so competition will be tough.

Expect me to be very unhappy by this time on Thursday.