Retrospective Reviews 2011: A to B
FINALLY! ‘Early next week’ may have turned into ‘the end of the week’, but the first of my five Retrospective Reviews installments is ready to be read. I won’t ramble on with a wordy introduction, because I think you know the deal: 43 countries, 43 looks back in time and 43 opinions on the songs, the vocals and the performances.
However…I do have a few things I want to let you know:
- I’ve rotated Gimmicks, My Favourite Lyric, and Reminds Me Of throughout each entry, so they’re all a little different.
- My scoring system is out of 10 for the song, vocals (based on those live in Düsseldorf) and performance, but with the final score, I’ve taken the average of those three scores, and rounded it up to match the ESC score system – i.e. if a country’s average was 8.7, I’ve rounded it up to 9 and given that country 10 points, which is the equivalent of 9 in that system. Whew! I haven’t done that much maths since high school! Still, it’s Eurovision-related maths which is a little more fun.
ALBANIA
My favourite national finalist: Pranë by Kejsi Tola
Song: Feel the Passion
Artist: Aurela Gaçe
Result: 14th in semi final
Reminds me of: Everyway That I Can by Sertab Erener
The best bits: This is a very unusual song that can’t really be pigeonholed – I guess that’s why Albania went with the eagle theme instead! I love the ethnicity and mystery of the verses, and the fact that the song does go somewhere, rather than staying put on a safe level. Aurela’s stage presence, along with her Rihanna-red hair, Nailene talons and the majestic LED graphic made for a powerful performance.
The other bits: The chorus is too shouty and aggressive for my liking. It especially grates towards the end of the three minutes, leaving me wanting some serious peace and quiet.
I give the song: 7
I give the vocals: 9
I give the performance: 8
Points for Albania: 8
ARMENIA
My favourite national finalist: Ayo by Emmy
Song: Boom Boom
Artist: Emmy
Result: 12th in semi final
My favourite lyric: “It’s time to win me in the ring of love”
The best bits: I’ll admit it: the giant boxing glove/medallion belt/dressing gown combo got me hook (pardon the pun), line and sinker! Yeah, it was cheesy – but I’ve always been more of a savoury than sweet type of girl. Plus, the song is catchy.
The other bits: It’s Armenia’s worst entry by far, as evidenced by its failure to qualify. The dated disco sound of the chorus may be catchy, but it doesn’t work the retro angle to its advantage in the way that Serbia does.
I give the song: 6
I give the vocals: 5
I give the performance: 8
Points for Armenia: 6
AUSTRIA
My favourite national finalist: Oida Taunz by Trackshittaz
Song: The Secret Is Love
Artist: Nadine Beiler
Result: 18th
Reminds me of: Shine by Sophia Nizharadze
The best bits: There were two serious divas in the 2011 contest (of the “Da Vinci of the vocalists” kind, not the “Hurling phones at assistants” kind) and Nadine is one of them. I feel like she could yodel her way through the Macarena and I’d still be enchanted, though thankfully, her self-penned song is more pleasing to the ear than that. The presentation was simple, but all eyes were on her.
The other bits: Nadine’s asymmetric, yet somehow perfect hair makes mine look as attractive as Bon Jovi’s, circa 1988. So envious. The lyrics do cross over into cliché territory at times, as well.
I give the song: 7
I give the vocals: 10
I give the performance: 9
Points for Austria: 8
AZERBAIJAN
My favourite national finalist: N/A
Song: Running Scared
Artist: Ell/Nikki
Result: 1st
Reminds me of: Allt Jag Vill Ha by Josefine Ridell
The best bits: I love thatAzerbaijanwon this year when they were half as desperate to win as they were in 2010. This is a well written, nicely constructed, contemporary pop song that was elevated by an effortless, classy presentation.
The other bits: There’s always a weaker one when it comes to performing duos (though with Jedward it’s hard to tell which one it is) and with these two it’s clearly Nikki/Nigar. She’s an adequate vocalist, but when you compare her to the lovely ladies from Lithuania, Sloveniaand Austria, for example, she falls way short. I also have to say that whilst I’m happy for Azerbaijanand I know they won fair and square, I still can’t wrap my head around Running Scared as THE winning song. It’s too…nice.
I give the song: 8
I give the vocals: 6
I give the performance: 8
Points for Azerbaijan: 7
BELARUS
My favourite national finalist: N/A
Song: I Love Belarus
Artist: Anastasia Vinnikova
Result: 14th in semi final
Reminds me of: Born In Byelorussia by Anastasia Vinnikova
My favourite lyric: “…I’m writing a new song” (Oh, how apt!)
The best bits: Guilty pleasure. That’s really all I need to say…but I’ll say a bit more. I feel I shouldn’t like this, considering it’s basically a rocked-up copy of Belarus’ original (better) then disqualified song. But the ethnic snatches and sing-along chorus win me over every time.
The other bits: It’s basically a rocked-up copy of Belarus’ original (better) then disqualified song. Also, I heard someone say that the lyric “courage and my grace” sounds like “cabbage in my bed” and now I can’t think of anything else when I hear it.
I give the song: 8
I give the vocals: 6
I give the performance: 7
Points for Belarus: 7
BELGIUM
My favourite national finalist: C’est La Musique by Steve Linden
Song: With Love Baby
Artist: Witloof Bay
Result: 11th in semi final
Gimmick: 100% music free
The best bits: This song has definitely grown on me since it was chosen; something helped along by seeing it onstage in Düsseldorf, because it’s hard to deny the vocal talents of Witloof Bay! It definitely has variety going for it, standing out and being a lot less repetitive (repetitive repetitive) than most of the other entries.
The other bits: Those “whoa whoa’s” irritate me to the point of the “whoa oh oh oh yeeeeeeeaaaaaah’s” in last year’s UK entry – remember them?
I give the song: 6
I give the vocals: 10
I give the performance: 7
Points for Belgium: 7
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
My favourite national finalist: N/A
Song: Love In Rewind
Artist: Dino Merlin
Result: 6th
Gimmick: The age factor
The best bits: Now that I look and listen back, this is becoming my absolute favourite. Bosnia and Herzegovina always brings something unique that just gets me (apart from last year). I think of songs like Lejla and Bistra Voda when I hear this, and how they give me goose bumps in the exact same way. Dino’s a class act and I wouldn’t mind having a granddad like him! No offence, he is only 48, after all. Supposedly.
The other bits: I have nothing bad to say about this. Although…if Mr. Merlin had brought his superb dancing skills from his debut performance to Düsseldorf, we so could have been going to Sarajevo next year!
I give the song: 10
I give the vocals: 10
I give the performance: 9
Points for B & H: 12
BULGARIA
My favourite national finalist: This one
Song: Na Inat
Artist: Poli Genova
Result: 12th in semi final
Reminds me of: a song that the lovechild of Robyn and Pink would record
The best bits: Every time I listen to the first disc of the 2011 album, this is the song that I get stuck in my head. Poli’s not as POLIshed a vocalist as you know who from you know where, but her voice is raw and she belts this out like there’s no tomorrow (or a New Tomorrow, if you’re Denmark…GOD I have to stop these terrible jokes!). Overall, her song is strong, with enough pop to keep me interested and enough rock to allow for lounge room head-banging.
The other bits: A key change wouldn’t have gone astray in lifting this higher in the last chorus. But if you put that aside, what do Bulgaria have to do to qualify? Apart from sing about water, whilst wearing leather pants?
I give the song: 8
I give the vocals: 10
I give the performance: 8
Points for Bulgaria: 10
So the winner of these reviews was Bosnia & Herzegovina…should I pit all of the top-scorers together at the end in one last 2011 battle? Hmm…anyway, look out for the C to G reviews this weekend!
Which is your favourite A to B entry?
Jaz x
eurovisionbyjaz.com 
One Response to “Retrospective Reviews 2011: A to B”
Lol @ cabbage in my bed xD it really sounds like that! I like your reviews. I totally agree on Azerbaijan sounding like Josefine Ridell’s song. And I totally agree with you on Bosnia, but I’d add that he should have sung in Bosnian.
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