Bulgaria's Eurovision 2008 Entry

Okay, I frigging love Deep Zone and Balthazar's "DJ, Take Me Away." First of all, it has all the Euro-techno pop trappings I love. Plus, it has flaming turntables. I ask you, how can you not love this?

Jen's running commentary (part 2 of 2)

Jen's commentary, based on notes, continued.

13. France

Wow, this seems pretty disrespectful, like they're mocking other Eurovision countries. And, wait, is that in the opening riff a sample of the Belarus song? Sheesh. They come off like total assholes.

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14. Latvia

Let's bring it boys, the contest is ripe for the picking. Their performance has benefited from the extra rehearsal time. They sound much better than in the semis.

All of them are holding white roses. Except the Italian. He gets the red rose. You know, like the flag.

At least I now have the answer that nagging question: what does it sound like when 6 opera singers sing Leo Sayer.

Dangerous. They sounded good.

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15. Russia

Doesn't pretend to be anything anything other than what it is - barely legal eye candy singing a dance confection. And they work it. I love it, and so does the audience.

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16. Germany

It's hard to follow Russia. But he's a pro - sounds good, looks good (although maybe a tad too much like Jack Black for my liking), and has a 5 piece jazz combo complete with upright bass. There's some sensitivity in the vocal - he knows exactly how to sing to a big crowd like this.

On the backdrop is only a giant ROGER CICERO in BIG ASS LIGHTS. That suggests to me he doesn't think he's got a shot at this and is only here for the exposure. Eh, so be it. He's the best entry Germany's had in years, and I dig it.

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17. Serbia

I see we're in the heavy artillery section of the draw. She's got a great voice, and sings with great musicality. And, unlike Georgia, knows not to oversing. I'm very impressed by the amount of support she's got on the really big notes.

Really good - I think she' s got it.

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18. Ukraine

He's dressed like a giant disco ball, with a communist star on his head. On his back is a "69", like a ballroom dancing competition number. The backup singers are dressed in silver lame 40s-GI-inspired outfits. To me, it really does remind me of WWII. And cartoon mice, like when they're "making the dress for Cinderellee", except in this case they're mocking Germans. "La la lalalala la la..."

But, hey, the performance has good energy, and is well sung even though there is a lot of movement. This is the better performance compared with Denmark. Of course, it doesn't change the fact the song goes nowhere.

I don't get it.

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19. United Kingdom

It rough placement for the UK to follow Ukraine, especially with this fluff. It's like having a 5 year aged blue cheese, followed immediately by mild cheddar.

They're dressed like flight attendants, and clearly the song isn't strong because they have tons of props. Utter theatrics.

Miserable. An embarrassment.

I guess they deserve points
1) for their commitment; and 2) for being in tune.

Bottom line: it's Saved By The Bell comes to Eurovision. I'm so excited... so excited... so... scared.

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20. Romania

Like Latvia, this act is 6 men. Except each one is singing in a different language. And, aw, it's at Eurovision... like we should all come together. Kumbaya, my lord, kumbaya.

They have better choreo than Latvia, but not better singing, and it's not a better song.

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21. Bulgaria

Sigh... 3 more left. Rock it, kids.

I like that the intensity of this song is driven by percussion. By drums, not by backup dancers or by singers trying too hard.

This builds nicely - it's really good, they look relaxed and like they're having fun. They did better than the semis. They might place top 10 after all.

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22. Turkey

Good placement for Turkey here, the last song of consequence. He too looks comfortable, better than the semis. He's also playing to the crowd - nice touch. I'm digging it.

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23. Armenia

Someone TP'd his tree. Probably the Turks.

Who's strangling the cat?

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24. Moldova

Over singing in a big way.
Sheesh, she's pitchy, screechy.

Moldova could learn a lesson from Bulgaria.

Chris' Finals Recap, Pt. 3

18. Ukraine

Euro-kitsch at its most manic. Verka has a big 69 sewn into his coat. He dances in high heels much better than DQ did, incidentally. Really, this is competently performed and all that, but it's just such an awful song. If I were from somewhere in Europe, maybe I'd see the appeal.

19. United Kingdom

This is so fucking stupid.

20. Romania

My goodness, it's a lost Benny Hill skit! Is it really just three minutes? It feels as long as "In-a-Gadda-da-Vida."

21. Bulgaria

This song is growing on me, I must say. Elitsa and Stoyan are doing it better than they did on Thursday, too. It's a really intense, exciting performance. I hope they do well in the voting.

22. Turkey

Kenan sang this much better tonight than he did during the semis. I hate how much I like this song. I have a good feeling that it'll do well tonight.

23. Armenia

A dead tree covered in ribbons as a stage prop. What a bland song. Why can't our feed kick out now?

24. Moldova

How did this make the cut during the semis? Natalia isn't doing herself any favors. She's almost in tune throughout. Eurovision has had a strong show this year, so it's unfortunate to end on these last two songs.

Bulgaria

No dancers, minimal backdrops, just performers with drums. Where's the pomp? My god, they're letting the song stand on its own! Uncool.

Just kidding. It's a good performance. The song is all build, no release, though. It's hard to tell if the crowd is into it or not. There's some applause during the drum solo, and they got a nice pop at the end, but it's not overwhelming.

Going first may just kill them off, because the song just isn't that memorable enough.

The travelogues, by the way, are going for a playful sense of humor.

Bulgaria (Eurovision 2007 preview)

Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankoukov - "Water"

The Afro Celt Sound System goes to the rave. Trinity fights Agent Smith. And very special guest Scatman John joins the party for no apparent reason.

Doesn't suck.

Bulgaria (Eurovision 2007 Preview)

Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankoulov: "Water"

One of those traditional-techno mash-ups. Think of an Eastern European Afro-Celt Sound System. Let's hope these two are compelling performers, because the song goes absolutely nowhere.

Eurovision blogging

I wish I thought of this when the show started. Our story so far:

1. Armenia (Andre: "Without Your Love") - Generic Eastern Mediterranean pop. Blah.
2. Bulgaria (Mariana Popova: "Let Me Cry") - Stiff singer, decent song, bad back-up dancers.
3. Slovenia (Anžej Dežan: "Mr Nobody") - Good song, even if it's generic Eurotrash discopop. More bad dancing.
4. Andorra (Jennifer: "Sense Tu") - Non-English. Sounded like Vanilla Ninja. Even more bad dancing.
5. Belarus (Polina Smolova: "Mum") - Think of a hard-rocking Backstreet Boys with a female singer and 80s clothing. Plus the back-ups almost dropped the singer when they lifted her.
6. Albania (Luiz Ejlli: "Zjarr e Ftohtë") - Ooo, traditional musicans. More generic Eastern Mediterranean pop, though. Not surprisingly, this is not in English.
7. Belguim (Kate Ryan: "Je T'Adore") - Ooo, fluorescent pink mike stands! Someone has heard the "Chess" album. Key lyric: "Je t'adore and I can't conceal it."
8. Ireland (Brian Kennedy: "Every Song Is a Cry for Love") - And every Irish entry is a cry for help. Awful.
9. Cyprus (Annette Artani: "Why Angels Cry") - Buxom singer. Flabby pop song.
10. Monaco (Séverine Ferrer: "La CoCo-Dance") - Had a Hawaiian theme. Grass skirts and everything. Lame. It was sung in French. [NOTE: Actually, it's Tahitian. My bad.]
11. Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Elena Risteska: "Ninanajna") - Slutty. The singer, the music, the lyrics. Slutty. Kinda awesome, but only in a Britney Spears way.
12. Poland (Ich Troje: "Follow My Heart") - White tails on the piano player. Polish rapping, in a Real McCoy way. The male singer has green hair. The female singer is in a mask. It's like Andrew Lloyd Webber did a song for Dead or Alive.