Eurovision Song Contest: the second semi-final

As for the second semi-final, there are bad news and there are good news. The bad news are that it was more boring than the first: most of the songs sounded like they were one - a long song that would go on and on just to make us suffer. Even the performances were similar to each other. Have some pity guys! I have to find interesting stufff to write about. Give me something to work on: I don't care if it's great or ridiculous. I need things that stand out. Also, the funny video of the presenters was much less funny than the one in the first semi-final.

As for the good news: the "That's Entertainment" based theme song, sung by the two presenters & co was funny, even if it reminded me too much of Billy Crystal's Oscar stints. Also among the good, all the songs that I felt should go through, went through. As for the betting odds that I presented yesterday, they got 8 out of 10 right. The two that didn't make it were: Norway (I said yesterday: "... a generic Pop song sung by Agnete. I don't particularly care for it.") and Ireland (my words yesterday: "The song is typical boy band stuff. Not that it's bad, it's just not very original.")

The two that did make it instead were Georgia, which presented a Rock song which at least sounded different than the maze of Pop clones and Lithuania, which was represented by this guy:

Now, to the show: it begun with Latvia, which sent a handsome man, who, judging from the audience reaction from the moment that he walked on stage, is an audience favorite. The voters thought so too and he made it to the final.

Then came Poland's candidate for Jesus Christ Superstar (just kidding) dressed in black with a bright red overcoat for contrast. Both him and the song were plesant and the retro feeling actually helped, because he will still be there on Saturday, fighting for the big prize.

Switzerland's singer was followed about by an embarassingly small amount of dry-ice-produced smoke. Her performance consisted mostly of doing squats. She didn't get through.

Hovi from Israel was a bit nervous at first and it showed. However the performance picked up as he carried on, his presence was strong and the shower of stars was effective. Although the performance was not on par with the official video (which I really liked), it was enough to carry him to the final.

Bellarus spent an awful lot on CGI: there were holograms of the singer in the nude petting a wolf, then 3 more wolves, then the singer playing guitar as his real self was singing, then he was playing drums and so on. It got a bit much after a while. The voters thought so too: the song failed to proceed any further.

The Serbian singer was good, but she was a bit shouty. As friend of the blog Record Man has commented a couple of days ago "nearly every song presented seems to be cast from the same overwrought, bombastic, shout it to the rafters vocals and everything-but-the-kitchen-sink production style. I guess this is the legacy of contests like this where the vocal becomes the spectacle and is more important than the song. The Mariah-fication of singing if you will." This case, however, wasn't one of the bad ones, so the voters got the song through.

Ireland, as I've already mentioned, didn't get through. The song was adequate, but only just, and the presentation was professional but uninspired.

FYR Macedonia was another case of "the Mariah-fication of singing". This one was just meh, so it failed to cath the voters' sympathy.

Lithuania's entry was sung by the guy in the photo above, who, apart from looking good and singing pleasantly, also performed a kind of somersault. The voters appreciated the effort and rewarded him with a place in the final. Since we didn't show the video yesterday, here it is:

Australia's entry, already one of the favorites was very well performed. It made it to the final, easily. It will surely make the Top 10.

Slovenia tried hard: the song wasn't bad, the singer showed of her ample busom and there was a shirtless acrobat doing his stuff. Still all this eye candy for everyone wasn't enough for the voters. They said: No pasarán!

Bulgaria was the same old, same old. However, the voters found the song's familiarity reassuring and voted for it. Passed: next!

Denmark's entry were three guys giving a non-descript performance of a so-so song. Their gimmick were glowing mic stands. After their performance, they packed their stands and returned home unceremoniously.

Finally a song worth my time: Ukraine's entry was refreshingly different, quite touching and is headed for the Top 5. The voters agreed with me.

On the contrary, Norway's entry was nothing we haven't heard a hundred times before. It erred on the wrong side of boring. The voters send it packing.

Georgia's entry wasn't great, but it was good: more importantly, it was different. A Rock song, hovering in the space between Indie and Alt. Rock, it impressed the voters enough to send it to the final, despite not being considered a favorite. We haven't included the video yet, so here it is:

Albania's singer appeared in a golden dress of dubious aesthtic value and sung an instantly forgettable song. She will not be appearing in the final.

Finally,it was Belgium's turn. The song is wildly derivative (I analysed its possible origins yesterday), but it's lively & infectuous & fun. The young girl singing in silver shorts has a pleasant voice and a fetching presence. The voters sent it to the final, where it will try to make the Top 10. It's not a lock, but it has its chances.

Tomorrow we'll get acquainted of the songs of the Big 5 and of the host country. Till then, have a great morning or afternoon or evening or night. See you!