Eurovision Song Contest 2015: Semifinal 2 Preview

Is he singing in the shower about Måns?  Shouldn't he be nude when
doing that?  I mean in the shower, of course.   And yes,
this caption will help me get hits from Google searches.  Duh!

Back again.  Here we have the Radio Free Järbo Preview of the Second Semifinal for the Eurovision Song Contest, 2015.  More opinions than you can shake a stick at.  And yes, we will tell you how to vote, so pay close attention.   

Azerbaijan
Elnur Huseynov
"Hour of the Wolf"
This is a solid song, and typical of the kind we have come to expect from Azerbaijan.  He has a nice voice and can sing the song well.  The overall effect is very pleasing even if nothing totally special.   I would like to see him back in Eurovision with a better song one day.   It should go to final and probably will.  The ending is kind of abrupt, but that's the curse of the three minute song sometimes. 

Cyprus
John Karayiannis
"One Thing I Should Have Done"
He has a nice voice that fits this simple and pretty song perfectly.  I don't think the environment of Eurovision favors songs like this where the words are important.   So it won't set Europe on fire, which is too bad because the song itself is well written and well constructed.  Did Woody Allen lose his glasses?  We want it to go to the final but we don't think it will quite make it.  Vote for him anyway.

My money's on the Czechs. 

Czech Republic
Marta Jandova and Vaclav Noid Barta
"Hope Never Dies"
 Their voices blend better than you'd think when you first hear them.    The song itself is not your standard Eurovision fare, not horrible but not always memorable either.  I like how it builds but then again, it doesn't lead anywhere.  But, how do you say "DILF" in Czech?

Iceland
Maria Olafs
"Unbroken"
Those that have read our blog before know that we are not fans of the high and squeaky voice, preferring men and women with richer and deeper tones.  Maria doesn't have this.  Iceland has produced so many wonderful songs for Eurovision over the years, however, that it is a surprise to have this one of such inferior quality.  Loud isn't the same as good.  In spite of that, I think she'll do well, as she can make the song work just enough. Maybe she make something of the boxy dress and bare feet (in the video) like Emilie Jävle de Forest did a couple of years ago. 

Ireland
Molly Sterling
"Playing with Numbers"
We are usually a sucker for ballad to the piano and a little Irish lilt to the tune.  The words are one we more or less want to listen to and the tune is catchy in places.  But all in all, this one just doesn't work for us.  It doesn't much matter; no one votes for Ireland anyway.

Israel
Nadav Guedj
"Golden Boy"
Boy? Yes.  Golden?  Hardly.  There is part of me that likes the energy and the tribute to Middle Eastern beats and tones.  But there is also insipid element of it as well.  I like the sassy "Three minutes, bye, bye" in the video, though, this is what happens when you write a four minute song and you've only got three minutes to sing it. 

Latvia
Aminata
"Love Injected"
I think this just might be the worst song in the whole competition.  I hate it so much, I'm not even going waste a good insult on it.  All I'll say, Aminata, is when you've got a good song and a good voice, you don't need electronic noise to accompany you (or you drown out) while screaming through it.  That's all I'm saying.

Lithuania
Monika Linkyte and Vaidas Baumila
"This Time"
The song is cute and works for their voices, although his has more substance than hers.  That means they are a little unmatched in the section where they should be blending together.  This song would work better if she matched his voice a little better.  I don't know if they are a couple but they'd have beautiful children if they were.  Did you see the cute gay kiss in the video?  Way to go Lithuania!




Malta
Amber
"Warrior"
It is an interesting song, but Amber just can't quite carry it off.   Or maybe it's not an interesting song at all, and she can't quite carry it off.   Either way, I don't quite believe she's a warrior.  It sounds like she is saying "worrier" and that may be more believable based on this performance.  Malta should be worrying that she won't make it into the finals. 

Montenegro
Knez
"Adio"
What is it about the Montenegrin singers?  They just know how to write and sing a ballad.   The song is very enchanting, with the slight hint of eastern tonality in the music and the lyrical sounding language.   Add to it the rugged scenery of the mountains in the video and it makes for a nice listening experience.  The Balkans don't do as well in the placement as their songs and talent should, but that's the voting system for you.

Stick to curling,
Norway.

Norway
Morland and Debrah Scarlett
"A Monster Like Me"
Eh.  OK.  Not an embarrassment but not a winner.  I like her voice much better than his, although he does sound better when singing with her.  She is a bit of a Norwegian Adele, with a nice quality to her voice.   But I don't much care for the song.   Interesting video, though.  Remind me never to go to a Norwegian dinner party.

Poland
Monika Kuszynska
"In the Name of Love"
A far cry from last year's kitchy but very entertaining entry, Poland sends this simple but moving ballad.  Monika, an experienced performer,  sings it well because she feels the song in her soul.  The video includes a surprise ending--the singer is a wheelchair.  She is, in fact, partially paralyzed after a car accident.   That is when it all comes together.  This song deserves to go to the final on its own merits; the back story makes it all the more compelling to watch her. 


Portugal
Leonor Andrade
"Ha Um Mar Que Nos Separa"
We like a good rock song as much as the next guy, and it breaks the monotony of disco beat tunes at Eurovision some years.   But this one falls as flat as the singer's voice on many of the notes.  No, thank you, Portugal.  You can keep this one. 

San Marino
Anita Simoncini and Michele Perniola
"Chain of Lights"
There is something enchanting about this simple duet.  Given the young ages of the singers, they perform it well and their voices are well matched.  It may not light any fires in Vienna, but should do San Marino proud enough.  They should be enchanting on stage.

Slovenia
Maraaya
"Here for You"
A raspy voice works with the right song.  I am not sure her raspy voice works for this song, though.  Maybe it is too high to be raspy.  I like the song itself, but the overall effect leaves one wanting something better.  I hope she has another chance at Eurovision with better suited material. 

He's a hero.

Sweden
Måns Zelmerlöv
"Heroes"
Although we've been fans of Måns for a long time, and we've heard he's seen as a favorite in Vienna, and maybe even will win, I wish he had a better song.  He can be an ice water singer or pop singer with equal ease.  The version of this song in the preview video is not as good as his performance in Melodifestivalen, Sweden's selection contest for Eurovision.  He's better than this, but should do well for Sweden.  It will be "lagom."





Switzerland
Mélanie René
"Time to Shine"
Melanie is a beautiful woman with a really nice voice.  But I am not a fan of this boring song.  It seems a little manufactured.  Maybe she should sing Slovenia's song instead of this one.   She won't get a chance to shine at Eurovision 2015 with material this bad.



Did you miss our expert commentary on Semifinal 1?  You can find it here.