Friday's jukebox featured Minako Yoshida's killer funk tune, Town. A quick YouTube search turned up an audio only clip of her performing Town live in 1982. The band is insanely good, but Minako's vocals are a little bit all over the place, although it sounds like it was her last number of the concert, so I'd definitely cut her some slack.
On the other hand, I also think this is a particularly hard number to sing, as this other clip of an amateur performance of Town illustrates. Again, the band does an amazing job.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
We are the News...in more ways than one
An article in The Age says one thing that I've always found to be true: you can tell a lot about a place by the way that news on television is presented.
It's true even domestically:
New York City - The latest local/state political crisis, unless there's been a car crash or construction accident.
Milwaukee - The latest murder or overblown weather event, unless someone coughed in front of Lambeau Field and therefore must be covered with intensive team coverage.
Los Angeles - The latest evidence that apocalypse will occur somewhere in the Southland.
It's true even domestically:
New York City - The latest local/state political crisis, unless there's been a car crash or construction accident.
Milwaukee - The latest murder or overblown weather event, unless someone coughed in front of Lambeau Field and therefore must be covered with intensive team coverage.
Los Angeles - The latest evidence that apocalypse will occur somewhere in the Southland.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Friday Jukebox gets ファンキー
*or "funky."
As previously posted, I'm in the midst of a project. I'm also the kind of person who needs some sort of background music in order to keep me going. Yesterday, I decided to do a bit of surfing to see if I could give my playlist a bit of a fresh life.
The search paid off handsomely as I stumbled across Japanese 70s-80s funk, in particular the works of Minako Yoshida and Tatsuro Yamashita, who seem to have a big following amongst French bloggers.
Unfortunately, Youtube and Dailymotion seem to be devoid of any live performances of the songs I wanted to showcase, but perhaps that's a good thing, since you can take a brief look at the album art and then go back in time in your imagination.
First off, Minako Yoshida. She is currently sporting Chaka Khan's "big hair" look, but her voice is more along the lines of Carly Simon or Diana Ross at least when it comes to her 1978 disco song Ai wa omou mama~let's do it.
Her funkier side comes out in her 1981 song Town, which is just killer. (Appropriately so, as it is the lead song from her album Monsters in Town.) It makes me wonder what a colaboration between Carole King and Parliament would sound like, when both were at the height of their popularity.
Onto Tatsuro Yamashita, who has done a lot of work with Minako (as well as many other artists).
Here is his 1979 hit Funky Flushin', although it's more disco than the title suggests.
For the sake of comedy, watch SMAP forerunners Shonentai perform a very Menudo-esque version of it in the 1980s.
I suspect there is a some code or ranking based upon the amount of ruffles that each member have.
Anyway, back to King Yamashita. 1980 saw the release of his album Ride on Time, the titular song (and album itself) of which has become a big old evergreen hit--even with that cover--but I'm a little more partial to the opening track Itsuka, which has a very Steely Dan feel to it.
Finally, let's close out with hearing (if not necessarily seeing) him perform live. Here's a snippet of Tatsuro performing SILENT SCREAMER & BOMBER in 1981.
Alas, he's still sporting that hair cut these days.
As previously posted, I'm in the midst of a project. I'm also the kind of person who needs some sort of background music in order to keep me going. Yesterday, I decided to do a bit of surfing to see if I could give my playlist a bit of a fresh life.
The search paid off handsomely as I stumbled across Japanese 70s-80s funk, in particular the works of Minako Yoshida and Tatsuro Yamashita, who seem to have a big following amongst French bloggers.
Unfortunately, Youtube and Dailymotion seem to be devoid of any live performances of the songs I wanted to showcase, but perhaps that's a good thing, since you can take a brief look at the album art and then go back in time in your imagination.
First off, Minako Yoshida. She is currently sporting Chaka Khan's "big hair" look, but her voice is more along the lines of Carly Simon or Diana Ross at least when it comes to her 1978 disco song Ai wa omou mama~let's do it.
Her funkier side comes out in her 1981 song Town, which is just killer. (Appropriately so, as it is the lead song from her album Monsters in Town.) It makes me wonder what a colaboration between Carole King and Parliament would sound like, when both were at the height of their popularity.
Onto Tatsuro Yamashita, who has done a lot of work with Minako (as well as many other artists).
Here is his 1979 hit Funky Flushin', although it's more disco than the title suggests.
For the sake of comedy, watch SMAP forerunners Shonentai perform a very Menudo-esque version of it in the 1980s.
I suspect there is a some code or ranking based upon the amount of ruffles that each member have.
Anyway, back to King Yamashita. 1980 saw the release of his album Ride on Time, the titular song (and album itself) of which has become a big old evergreen hit--even with that cover--but I'm a little more partial to the opening track Itsuka, which has a very Steely Dan feel to it.
Finally, let's close out with hearing (if not necessarily seeing) him perform live. Here's a snippet of Tatsuro performing SILENT SCREAMER & BOMBER in 1981.
Alas, he's still sporting that hair cut these days.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
While We Were Chasing Somali Pirates....
There's been little coverage here (at least from what I've seen) in regards to the political turmoil/mess going on in Fiji.
The Australian media, however, has been covering it quite closely. (Fiji is a major tourist destination.)
The ABC and BBC have rather good coverage and summaries online, but to briefly summarise:
Fiji's president scrapped its Constitution and said that the Military strongman who had overthrown the previous government can stay in power for another 5 years. This led to a collective "oh hell no" from the international community. The Fijian government subsquently has begun kicking all the foreign journalists out as a response, and imposed censorship on local media.
It all looks a bit like something we've seen happen before in Africa/Caribbean/the Americas (Patriot Act & Freedom Fries, anyone?) /Eurasia (think this year's Eurovision hosts) .
Personally, I like what the Commodore stands for in regards to multiculturalism, but he just doesn't seem to trust anyone but himself to uphold it.
Unless he is the Fijian version of Kim Il-Sung.
The Australian media, however, has been covering it quite closely. (Fiji is a major tourist destination.)
The ABC and BBC have rather good coverage and summaries online, but to briefly summarise:
Fiji's president scrapped its Constitution and said that the Military strongman who had overthrown the previous government can stay in power for another 5 years. This led to a collective "oh hell no" from the international community. The Fijian government subsquently has begun kicking all the foreign journalists out as a response, and imposed censorship on local media.
It all looks a bit like something we've seen happen before in Africa/Caribbean/the Americas (Patriot Act & Freedom Fries, anyone?) /Eurasia (think this year's Eurovision hosts) .
Personally, I like what the Commodore stands for in regards to multiculturalism, but he just doesn't seem to trust anyone but himself to uphold it.
Unless he is the Fijian version of Kim Il-Sung.
Hugh Jackman tries to redeem him$elf
Perhaps he really is doing good.
Or perhaps he's just really good at looking like he cares.
But I appreciate that all these organisations are as keen to take advantage of Jackman as he is of them.
Or perhaps he's just really good at looking like he cares.
But I appreciate that all these organisations are as keen to take advantage of Jackman as he is of them.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday Jukebox is still in the House
Here's an old one (inasmuch as 2002 could be "old"). Mondo Grosso & BoA's Everything Needs Love (which does actually have proper, but still awkward to native Anglophone ears English lyrics), from the album Next Wave.
New Yorkers, you can play "I've been there" with this video, although I suspect that 34th street photo was not from 2002.
It's a shame that BoA didn't debut in the US with this, it could've given her a bit of a cult following.
Mondo Grosso (aka Shinichi Osawa) is part of the ravex project.
New Yorkers, you can play "I've been there" with this video, although I suspect that 34th street photo was not from 2002.
It's a shame that BoA didn't debut in the US with this, it could've given her a bit of a cult following.
Mondo Grosso (aka Shinichi Osawa) is part of the ravex project.
There's A Huge Gap Between First and Second
I'm sorry Tourism NZ, but a person must be absolutely off their rocker to accept a job as a caretaker for some small (and considering the size of New Zealand, it must be really small) island for no pay.
At least Queensland has the whole trashy fun aspect to it.
At least Queensland has the whole trashy fun aspect to it.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday Jukebox is in the House
It shouldn't be that much of a surprise, but the Japanese music scene is having a bit of a good run of great house/pop songs recently (relatively speaking).
First off, Seira Kagami & Ryohei [Yamamoto]'s First Sight, which is a pretty good song, but the video is a bit odd: Seira looks happy and cheerful, while Ryohei is clearly going for the early Michael Jackson "I must look like I'm in pain every second" style of performing.
Seira's debut album Celebration goes on sale April 22 (most likely available via Amazon at a decent import price).
Doing relatively on the charts (considering there was little promotion) was LADY BIRD (strange name for two male producers/DJs) and Soni's (model Wei Son) Sweet Song, which was released late February. Nothing currently announced in the pipeline, but I reckon it won't be long before another single or mini album is announced. Particularly since this has to be one of the catchiest songs I've heard in a long time.
Bonus: Perhaps my dancing (in)ability is due to the fact that I'm just stuck in the 1980s. Evidence: Take a look at EPO's energetic (but very dated by 2009 eyes) routine from 1983. I have danced like that as recently as February.
I think U,fu,fu,fu (wow, that looks silly written in latin script) would've walked Eurovision that year...if Japan was in Europe.
First off, Seira Kagami & Ryohei [Yamamoto]'s First Sight, which is a pretty good song, but the video is a bit odd: Seira looks happy and cheerful, while Ryohei is clearly going for the early Michael Jackson "I must look like I'm in pain every second" style of performing.
Seira's debut album Celebration goes on sale April 22 (most likely available via Amazon at a decent import price).
Doing relatively on the charts (considering there was little promotion) was LADY BIRD (strange name for two male producers/DJs) and Soni's (model Wei Son) Sweet Song, which was released late February. Nothing currently announced in the pipeline, but I reckon it won't be long before another single or mini album is announced. Particularly since this has to be one of the catchiest songs I've heard in a long time.
Bonus: Perhaps my dancing (in)ability is due to the fact that I'm just stuck in the 1980s. Evidence: Take a look at EPO's energetic (but very dated by 2009 eyes) routine from 1983. I have danced like that as recently as February.
I think U,fu,fu,fu (wow, that looks silly written in latin script) would've walked Eurovision that year...if Japan was in Europe.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Friday Jukebox is down with ravex
Which is rather funny, since it would be odd for me to be a major supporter of the group assembled to commemorate the 20th anniversary of a corporate juggernaut, but Avex gets the same sort of exception that I also give Virgin*.
* As long as you don't seem openly greedy, manage to be innovatative, and have some fun while doing it, I don't mind.
ravex is the aforementioned group, and they're essentially doing with the Osamu Tezuka estate what Daft Punk did with Leiji Matsumoto some time ago.
Their debut (and I'd be willing to bet one and only) album will be released at the end of this month, but what I find rather interesting is that close to all of it has already been released via singles, tracks on compliation CDs, or just digital releases.
Nonetheless, I'm going to admit that they have made me their lemming as I am definitely planning to purchase it.
It's an eclectic album as the videos suggest:
The first video and single that was released last year was the collaboration with the infamous DJ OZMA, I RAVE U. If you really like or at least tolerate the humour of present-day Saturday Night Live set to rave music, then you'll make it through this video. If not, I would suggest some dark glasses.
In stark contrast to the throw-everything-and-the-kitchen-sink sound and video (although I did like the nude men smacking the sides of their heads whilst screaming "I don't care"** and those dance sequences are funny) of I RAVE U is ONE MORE NIGHT which is the ravex collaboration with Canadian-Japanese band MONKEY MAJIK.
** rough translation by me.
Still trippy in its own way though.
Keeping with dreamy synthpop romance theme is the second ravex single (ONE MORE NIGHT just sort of appeared in January with little fanfare) Believe in Love which featured Korean pop princess (buy her North Amercan debut album!) BoA.
You can see and hear more clips from the ravex project at their website: ravex.jp.
I'm particularly looking forward to what Shinchi Osawa/Namie Amuro's ROCK U will sound like in full.
* As long as you don't seem openly greedy, manage to be innovatative, and have some fun while doing it, I don't mind.
ravex is the aforementioned group, and they're essentially doing with the Osamu Tezuka estate what Daft Punk did with Leiji Matsumoto some time ago.
Their debut (and I'd be willing to bet one and only) album will be released at the end of this month, but what I find rather interesting is that close to all of it has already been released via singles, tracks on compliation CDs, or just digital releases.
Nonetheless, I'm going to admit that they have made me their lemming as I am definitely planning to purchase it.
It's an eclectic album as the videos suggest:
The first video and single that was released last year was the collaboration with the infamous DJ OZMA, I RAVE U. If you really like or at least tolerate the humour of present-day Saturday Night Live set to rave music, then you'll make it through this video. If not, I would suggest some dark glasses.
In stark contrast to the throw-everything-and-the-kitchen-sink sound and video (although I did like the nude men smacking the sides of their heads whilst screaming "I don't care"** and those dance sequences are funny) of I RAVE U is ONE MORE NIGHT which is the ravex collaboration with Canadian-Japanese band MONKEY MAJIK.
** rough translation by me.
Still trippy in its own way though.
Keeping with dreamy synthpop romance theme is the second ravex single (ONE MORE NIGHT just sort of appeared in January with little fanfare) Believe in Love which featured Korean pop princess (buy her North Amercan debut album!) BoA.
You can see and hear more clips from the ravex project at their website: ravex.jp.
I'm particularly looking forward to what Shinchi Osawa/Namie Amuro's ROCK U will sound like in full.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Like A Box of Hair
Hugh Jackman tries to pass off his "Opera Center" message as an error in translation, or so the actor claims in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald.
You know, I'm always confusing "center" with "house."
Same thing with "apartment" and "nuclear."
You know, I'm always confusing "center" with "house."
Same thing with "apartment" and "nuclear."
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Monday Jukebox is very Random
The jury is still out on whether I can still say "random" at age 30, but I think most will agree that that the word certainly applies here.
First a little bit of local news, local in the sense of this little corner of the internet. Posts will be a touch bit infrequent due to work over the next 2 weeks, but I'll try my best to make them worth the wait.
Now onto the meat and potatoes of today's jukebox. Some might remember Aira Mitsuki from The Grand Super Special 1000th Post Celebration, well her labelmate Saori@destiny (yes, that is her stage name) recently released a mini-album, WOW WAR TECHNO.
Here is the video for the titular song, and I believe the idea they are going for is "stock footage of people exercising while a jaded young woman sings about how she lost her idealism. " It's kind of like Poupee de Cire, poupee de son meets Sweet Charity when you think about it.
Or maybe it's just plain random.
First a little bit of local news, local in the sense of this little corner of the internet. Posts will be a touch bit infrequent due to work over the next 2 weeks, but I'll try my best to make them worth the wait.
Now onto the meat and potatoes of today's jukebox. Some might remember Aira Mitsuki from The Grand Super Special 1000th Post Celebration, well her labelmate Saori@destiny (yes, that is her stage name) recently released a mini-album, WOW WAR TECHNO.
Here is the video for the titular song, and I believe the idea they are going for is "stock footage of people exercising while a jaded young woman sings about how she lost her idealism. " It's kind of like Poupee de Cire, poupee de son meets Sweet Charity when you think about it.
Or maybe it's just plain random.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Saturday Jukebox Says I Don't Like You That Way
I thought this might be appropriate for a Saturday morning post, and go along with the cultural differences theme...and a reminder that insect repellent time is coming soon.
Let me present to you Oshiri Kajiri Mushi, the animated butt/bottom biting bug that, according to the songwriters and Wikipedia, "encourages people to interact with each other." This strange insect rear-end fetishist got a "special stage" at the 2007 Kohaku, as I just recently discovered. (It's not easy to find Kohaku programmes in full.)
Honestly, that bug was the most bizarre pop culture phenomenon I ever came across.
If you are have nearby or are under the influence of any mind-altering substances, then you will either enjoy this immensely or have nightmares. (And like most childrens' themed entertainment it is full of double entendres.)
Now watch it being performed live.
Honestly, there has to be a better way to meet people.
Let me present to you Oshiri Kajiri Mushi, the animated butt/bottom biting bug that, according to the songwriters and Wikipedia, "encourages people to interact with each other." This strange insect rear-end fetishist got a "special stage" at the 2007 Kohaku, as I just recently discovered. (It's not easy to find Kohaku programmes in full.)
Honestly, that bug was the most bizarre pop culture phenomenon I ever came across.
If you are have nearby or are under the influence of any mind-altering substances, then you will either enjoy this immensely or have nightmares. (And like most childrens' themed entertainment it is full of double entendres.)
Now watch it being performed live.
Honestly, there has to be a better way to meet people.
Friday Jukebox Still Thinks You Can Have Too Many Dancers
Last month, I mentioned the visual absurdity of the new Supersized EXILE. Well, here's the latest music video, Someday.
It is possible that this may very well be cultural differences at work here, but the video is overblown and just flat out silly. Apparently, in the future, children will be imprisoned and only liberated after 12 dancers re-create bland versions of voguing for nearly 4 minutes.
It does look like two Houses (in the ballroom sense) going to battle, minus...well...realness.
RIP Willi Ninja.
It is possible that this may very well be cultural differences at work here, but the video is overblown and just flat out silly. Apparently, in the future, children will be imprisoned and only liberated after 12 dancers re-create bland versions of voguing for nearly 4 minutes.
It does look like two Houses (in the ballroom sense) going to battle, minus...well...realness.
RIP Willi Ninja.
The Beginnings of another Boston "Tea Party?"
The local NBC affiliate in Boston doesn't want to air Jay Leno at 10 PM next season, but NBC says their contract requires them to, according to an article in Variety.
I think that next month's upfronts will be very telling as to whether this Leno-at-10 gamble is worth it.
(Which it isn't, but far be it for anyone to tell the Peacock that they have no more feathers.)
I think that next month's upfronts will be very telling as to whether this Leno-at-10 gamble is worth it.
(Which it isn't, but far be it for anyone to tell the Peacock that they have no more feathers.)
Friday, April 03, 2009
Eurovision 2009 Preview Reviews: Part 3
Thought I had forgotten about Pooty-poot's sing-a-long?
Here comes round 3 of the Preview videos.
Greece: Original video. Now, I like Il Rouvas. He seems genial, a bit of a George Clooney (read into that what you will), comfortable as a performer, and quite frankly he didn't embarrass himself as a presenter as much as my fellow American did. He's also good looking, knows it, but doesn't come across as arrogant. Putting all these ingredients together, you'd think that a Greek win this year would be a foregone conclusion. Not quite. Onto the video: A meteorite hits a stage and out appears Sakis (Sakis as Superman? Oy.) Sakis shoots smouldering looks at the camera as he sings. He also does that stomp-wanting-to-strut dance that looks like he's trying to find the nearest bathroom. Apropos of nothing we see a bunch of happy-go-lucky youths waving at each other happily in front of some ruins. (Stock footage from 2006?) Wait? They do have a purpose, as they witness another meteor shower that yields...the lead singer from Next Time? Cut to Sakis who is doing his best impression of the choreography from Thriller. I have to wonder what they are going for with this video, because combined with the lyrics it seems to suggest that it's the rallying cry for a bunch of Sakis clones to invade Earth. Catchy song, but there's just some spark missing that will likely keep it from getting the top spot.
Croatia: "Original" video. Quotation marks are due to the fact that it's more of a montage complied from Dora footage with the studio track on top of it. I am beginning to think that Croatia needs another good stomp-your-feet number a la Severina, Vanna, Doris Dragovic, or even Claudia soon. How many more of these drowsy ballads can the Eurovision public take? Anyway, Igor is good looking, and certainly giving the song his all, while Andrea struts along side and looks pretty. It's not horrible, but it's not remarkable amongst the plethora of other "not horrible" songs this years. Unlikely to bother the voters come Saturday.
Serbia : National final performance. Comedy entries are always a gamble, moreso when you have to get the humour across linguistic lines. This year Serbia sends it's first upbeat song and it's about an old shoe, although the lyrics (courtesy of the ever trustworthy Diggiloo Thrush) suggest that this is a metaphor for either a spouse, nation, or both. Anyway, we see a man playing an accordion as another man with wild orange hair (straight from Ideon) struts onstage with a suitcase, I am guessing this is Marko Kon. Marko proceeds to let out a singing voice that sounds like a 3 minute long burp. The backing singers (3 bald/shaven men) do some robot movements, Marko smiles, and I guess if we all understood Serbian humour, we'd be chuckling. Marko gives Milaan (the accordion player?) some money. He owes me some. While I'm very happy that Serbia has broken that run of ballads, I don't think that a comedy song that depends heavily on the Serbian sense of humour is going to go all that far on an international show.
Portugal : National final performance. After the dramatics of Vania last year, Portugal has decided to go back to its slightly lively roots with Flor-de-lis. This is a gamble itself. The song is pretty much in the "I love you, let me count the ways and metaphors" school, and performed energetically, but it's still a bit low key. Just when you think it's building up to go somewhere, the song drops back to slow and quiet. While I'm tempted to write it off, I reckon I just can't. (Even with Portugal between Finland and Malta in the running order.)
Ireland: Original video! Black Daisy wait for Sinead to get to the studio, stewing. I notice that the band's drummer looks like Alya, which is a good sign in my book. They start playing. Sinead (who somewhat looks like a young Dawn French) wakes up and does her morning routine. This is also where I notice that the liberal amounts of pink and black, combined with the very 1980's synth pop/rock sound of the song, make me think of the Go-Gos. It's very cute, catchy, and engaging. I don't think it'll win, but I wouldn't be surprised if it makes it to Saturday.
Switzerland: Original video (well, there was no final). If Ireland is trying to have a 80s revival, then Switzerland is aiming for a 90s one. The video is borrowing heavily from/influenced by U2 Rattle & Hum, lots of stage smoke and silhouettes. Until the singer starts singing, and then it's Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit video, minus the cheerleaders. The singer even looks a bit like Kurt Cobain. The song, however, is more in the Soul Asylum/Ned's Atomic Dustbin/Lightning Seeds vein. Comrades, almost twenty years later after it started and nearly a decade after it faded, grunge has finally come to Eurovision. It's a bit hard to tell, but I don't see any of the Lovebugs wearing any flannel, so perhaps it's not a total revival. Still, they certainly have the seemingly deep, but nonsensical lyrics down pat. I actually quite like this, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that nostalgia certainly plays a role. I'd like to think Switzerland might make it to the final, but they're between Andorra and Turkey, so it could go either way for them.
Montenegro: Original video (Montenegro is now 3 for 3 with original videos.) While most of the Ex-Yu countries have dropped the proverbial ball this year (except for Slovenia, who always do their own thing, thankfully), Montenegro surprisingly has come up with a big old disco stomper. The video is somewhat reminiscent of last year's Ukrainian entry Shady Lady crossed with George Michael's Fastlove and a healthy dose of Samo Ljubezen. If that spells homoerotic campfest to you, then you're right on target. Pretty much, Andrea is the only female present while assorted photogenic men in various states of dress dance and brood around her. The story, from what I can ascertain, is that Andrea is tormented by a bunch of go-go boys who enjoy playing with her emotions. If I can be blunt, Andrea is the proverbial fag hag who is being strung along, not that I think that depth is really necessary. Like last year, Montenegro opens the whole contest, but I think this time they will go to the final as well. (Daring prediction: Montenegro and Slovenia are the only Ex-Yu countries to make it to Saturday.)
Latvia : Original video (dubbing over the national final performance would look daft). Like the Serbian entry, this is another song that relies heavily on linguistic ability in order to fully get it, but unlike the Shoe men, the music and performance manage to bridge the gap. The video is also kindly subtitled. Intars, driving, wails against traffic jams. Interspersed are scenes of him and his band practicing this (Russian) version of the song. This song and video do have a slight late 80s feel (think wham! meets the Talking Heads), and Intars intense and engaging performance style work heavily in its favour. I still think the Latvian version sounds better, but the final product isn't too shabby either. I'd definitely like to see Latvia make it to the final, and I think their chances are high, although it may be at the expense of Ireland (who perform right before Latvia).
Norway: National final performance (I can't remember the last time Norway has had an original video.) Call your dentist, because this is going to be a sugary overload of pop/folk. The three male dancers do their leaps and kicks, Alexander plays his fiddle and chirps out an upbeat song about romantic disillusion. He is very talented and engaging as a performer, and even though the performance and song have a bit of the local carnival performance feel about them, it doesn't harm it at all. A dark horse to finish high (Norway is between no-hopers Cyprus and Poland, so it would be a shock if they don't make it to Saturday.)
Slovakia : Original video (it's their comeback, so it's got to be a bit splashy) Do upbeat songs flop on the Slovakian charts? Their endless selection process had next to none, and their previous entries seem to be a bunch a pleading ballads asking fate to right various wrongs. Anyway, for their big return they have two singers belting out a plea to "fly through the darkness." The video is another spin on "original," as it features clips (I'm going to assume from the national final) of the pair singing while a bunch of well-dressed people pose looking tormented/bored/stoned around a cellist and a pianist. In a very ballad heavy year, this is probably amongst the best (on par with France and the UK), mostly because they are having the musical equivalent of a breakdown onstage (and you don't need to know Slovak to necessarily come to that conclusion). Slovakia is between Cyprus and Denmark, and I think it highlights the weaker aspects of both. Whether that translates into a spot on Saturday, I don't know. I do think the jury pick might help them in a pinch.
Ukraine : Original video (if you've seen the performance already, then you only have an inkling of what is in store). The video like the entry itself is like one big massive psychedelic trip that you aren't exactly sure that you want to take. Before we take this journey, let me frame this song again: It's absurd, and not so much in the dismissive sense of the word but absurd in the way Dadaist art is absurd. There is no logic here save for this is a woman singing a song in something approximating the English language. Alright? Here we go: Lots of quick shots of crotches (male and female) in loincloths, while Svetlana climbs a ladder. It looks like we're in an arena of some sort, and there is a woman dangling above in some metal/steel circular thing. Next thing, there's quick shots of Svetlana thrusting through some chocolate covered goo, as well as her dressed like a slutty police officer. (Georgia got booted out for lyrics, but this is considered family friendly?) Note, the song has yet to actually start. When it does, we see Svetlana shimmy in a bikini or very brief lingerie, interspersed with dark goo (which could be chocolate or blood, to be honest) flowing past her lips. More writhing in chocolate. Svetlana starts singing and I have to abandon any pretense of trying to describe this in a coherent manner. It's Svetlana in chocolate, Svetlana writhing around with a bunch of grey-skinned men, a kiwifruit being smashed, Svetlana swallowing a strawberry, more fruit being smashed. I have to call it quits before 90 seconds are over. Did that make sense? No. As for the song itself, it's like someone took Show Me Your Love and Wild Dances, gave them both massive amounts of steroids, and gave it to a woman with an accent that is hard for Anglophones to understand. Having seen the live version, I honestly cannot say how this will do. It's either going to go down well with the voters or ignored, being between Albania and Estonia (both quiet and relatively sane entries) just makes it stand out even more. I would not be surprised if Ukraine is out of the top 10 for the first time since 2005 this year.
Poland : Original video. After Svetlana, the relative tranquility of Lidia's unassuming ballad is welcome. The video has Lidia staring into a mirror, and then staring out into the great unknown. The song is about asserting one's maturity, so to speak (think I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman, but less overt with the sexual aspect). Lidia's voice is beautiful to hear, but the song still seems a little devoid of emotional power given the subject matter. It's almost as if she wants to really belt it out and bring the crazy, but can't. Unfortunately, that might cost Poland come voting time, especially coming in between Serbia's joke that few people get and Norway's onslaught of cute.
I'm still recovering from that Ukrainian preview.
Next time: The Czech Republic tries Gypsy Rap (apparently they were the fun-lovers in Czechoslovakia), Moldova name checks itself a million times, Andorra sends a Dane with a guitar, a ton of charm, and an antisocial message, this year's latest controversial Israeli entry, and perhaps, perhaps Turkey (who presented their entry around New Year's) might have a preview video up.
Here comes round 3 of the Preview videos.
Greece: Original video. Now, I like Il Rouvas. He seems genial, a bit of a George Clooney (read into that what you will), comfortable as a performer, and quite frankly he didn't embarrass himself as a presenter as much as my fellow American did. He's also good looking, knows it, but doesn't come across as arrogant. Putting all these ingredients together, you'd think that a Greek win this year would be a foregone conclusion. Not quite. Onto the video: A meteorite hits a stage and out appears Sakis (Sakis as Superman? Oy.) Sakis shoots smouldering looks at the camera as he sings. He also does that stomp-wanting-to-strut dance that looks like he's trying to find the nearest bathroom. Apropos of nothing we see a bunch of happy-go-lucky youths waving at each other happily in front of some ruins. (Stock footage from 2006?) Wait? They do have a purpose, as they witness another meteor shower that yields...the lead singer from Next Time? Cut to Sakis who is doing his best impression of the choreography from Thriller. I have to wonder what they are going for with this video, because combined with the lyrics it seems to suggest that it's the rallying cry for a bunch of Sakis clones to invade Earth. Catchy song, but there's just some spark missing that will likely keep it from getting the top spot.
Croatia: "Original" video. Quotation marks are due to the fact that it's more of a montage complied from Dora footage with the studio track on top of it. I am beginning to think that Croatia needs another good stomp-your-feet number a la Severina, Vanna, Doris Dragovic, or even Claudia soon. How many more of these drowsy ballads can the Eurovision public take? Anyway, Igor is good looking, and certainly giving the song his all, while Andrea struts along side and looks pretty. It's not horrible, but it's not remarkable amongst the plethora of other "not horrible" songs this years. Unlikely to bother the voters come Saturday.
Serbia : National final performance. Comedy entries are always a gamble, moreso when you have to get the humour across linguistic lines. This year Serbia sends it's first upbeat song and it's about an old shoe, although the lyrics (courtesy of the ever trustworthy Diggiloo Thrush) suggest that this is a metaphor for either a spouse, nation, or both. Anyway, we see a man playing an accordion as another man with wild orange hair (straight from Ideon) struts onstage with a suitcase, I am guessing this is Marko Kon. Marko proceeds to let out a singing voice that sounds like a 3 minute long burp. The backing singers (3 bald/shaven men) do some robot movements, Marko smiles, and I guess if we all understood Serbian humour, we'd be chuckling. Marko gives Milaan (the accordion player?) some money. He owes me some. While I'm very happy that Serbia has broken that run of ballads, I don't think that a comedy song that depends heavily on the Serbian sense of humour is going to go all that far on an international show.
Portugal : National final performance. After the dramatics of Vania last year, Portugal has decided to go back to its slightly lively roots with Flor-de-lis. This is a gamble itself. The song is pretty much in the "I love you, let me count the ways and metaphors" school, and performed energetically, but it's still a bit low key. Just when you think it's building up to go somewhere, the song drops back to slow and quiet. While I'm tempted to write it off, I reckon I just can't. (Even with Portugal between Finland and Malta in the running order.)
Ireland: Original video! Black Daisy wait for Sinead to get to the studio, stewing. I notice that the band's drummer looks like Alya, which is a good sign in my book. They start playing. Sinead (who somewhat looks like a young Dawn French) wakes up and does her morning routine. This is also where I notice that the liberal amounts of pink and black, combined with the very 1980's synth pop/rock sound of the song, make me think of the Go-Gos. It's very cute, catchy, and engaging. I don't think it'll win, but I wouldn't be surprised if it makes it to Saturday.
Switzerland: Original video (well, there was no final). If Ireland is trying to have a 80s revival, then Switzerland is aiming for a 90s one. The video is borrowing heavily from/influenced by U2 Rattle & Hum, lots of stage smoke and silhouettes. Until the singer starts singing, and then it's Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit video, minus the cheerleaders. The singer even looks a bit like Kurt Cobain. The song, however, is more in the Soul Asylum/Ned's Atomic Dustbin/Lightning Seeds vein. Comrades, almost twenty years later after it started and nearly a decade after it faded, grunge has finally come to Eurovision. It's a bit hard to tell, but I don't see any of the Lovebugs wearing any flannel, so perhaps it's not a total revival. Still, they certainly have the seemingly deep, but nonsensical lyrics down pat. I actually quite like this, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that nostalgia certainly plays a role. I'd like to think Switzerland might make it to the final, but they're between Andorra and Turkey, so it could go either way for them.
Montenegro: Original video (Montenegro is now 3 for 3 with original videos.) While most of the Ex-Yu countries have dropped the proverbial ball this year (except for Slovenia, who always do their own thing, thankfully), Montenegro surprisingly has come up with a big old disco stomper. The video is somewhat reminiscent of last year's Ukrainian entry Shady Lady crossed with George Michael's Fastlove and a healthy dose of Samo Ljubezen. If that spells homoerotic campfest to you, then you're right on target. Pretty much, Andrea is the only female present while assorted photogenic men in various states of dress dance and brood around her. The story, from what I can ascertain, is that Andrea is tormented by a bunch of go-go boys who enjoy playing with her emotions. If I can be blunt, Andrea is the proverbial fag hag who is being strung along, not that I think that depth is really necessary. Like last year, Montenegro opens the whole contest, but I think this time they will go to the final as well. (Daring prediction: Montenegro and Slovenia are the only Ex-Yu countries to make it to Saturday.)
Latvia : Original video (dubbing over the national final performance would look daft). Like the Serbian entry, this is another song that relies heavily on linguistic ability in order to fully get it, but unlike the Shoe men, the music and performance manage to bridge the gap. The video is also kindly subtitled. Intars, driving, wails against traffic jams. Interspersed are scenes of him and his band practicing this (Russian) version of the song. This song and video do have a slight late 80s feel (think wham! meets the Talking Heads), and Intars intense and engaging performance style work heavily in its favour. I still think the Latvian version sounds better, but the final product isn't too shabby either. I'd definitely like to see Latvia make it to the final, and I think their chances are high, although it may be at the expense of Ireland (who perform right before Latvia).
Norway: National final performance (I can't remember the last time Norway has had an original video.) Call your dentist, because this is going to be a sugary overload of pop/folk. The three male dancers do their leaps and kicks, Alexander plays his fiddle and chirps out an upbeat song about romantic disillusion. He is very talented and engaging as a performer, and even though the performance and song have a bit of the local carnival performance feel about them, it doesn't harm it at all. A dark horse to finish high (Norway is between no-hopers Cyprus and Poland, so it would be a shock if they don't make it to Saturday.)
Slovakia : Original video (it's their comeback, so it's got to be a bit splashy) Do upbeat songs flop on the Slovakian charts? Their endless selection process had next to none, and their previous entries seem to be a bunch a pleading ballads asking fate to right various wrongs. Anyway, for their big return they have two singers belting out a plea to "fly through the darkness." The video is another spin on "original," as it features clips (I'm going to assume from the national final) of the pair singing while a bunch of well-dressed people pose looking tormented/bored/stoned around a cellist and a pianist. In a very ballad heavy year, this is probably amongst the best (on par with France and the UK), mostly because they are having the musical equivalent of a breakdown onstage (and you don't need to know Slovak to necessarily come to that conclusion). Slovakia is between Cyprus and Denmark, and I think it highlights the weaker aspects of both. Whether that translates into a spot on Saturday, I don't know. I do think the jury pick might help them in a pinch.
Ukraine : Original video (if you've seen the performance already, then you only have an inkling of what is in store). The video like the entry itself is like one big massive psychedelic trip that you aren't exactly sure that you want to take. Before we take this journey, let me frame this song again: It's absurd, and not so much in the dismissive sense of the word but absurd in the way Dadaist art is absurd. There is no logic here save for this is a woman singing a song in something approximating the English language. Alright? Here we go: Lots of quick shots of crotches (male and female) in loincloths, while Svetlana climbs a ladder. It looks like we're in an arena of some sort, and there is a woman dangling above in some metal/steel circular thing. Next thing, there's quick shots of Svetlana thrusting through some chocolate covered goo, as well as her dressed like a slutty police officer. (Georgia got booted out for lyrics, but this is considered family friendly?) Note, the song has yet to actually start. When it does, we see Svetlana shimmy in a bikini or very brief lingerie, interspersed with dark goo (which could be chocolate or blood, to be honest) flowing past her lips. More writhing in chocolate. Svetlana starts singing and I have to abandon any pretense of trying to describe this in a coherent manner. It's Svetlana in chocolate, Svetlana writhing around with a bunch of grey-skinned men, a kiwifruit being smashed, Svetlana swallowing a strawberry, more fruit being smashed. I have to call it quits before 90 seconds are over. Did that make sense? No. As for the song itself, it's like someone took Show Me Your Love and Wild Dances, gave them both massive amounts of steroids, and gave it to a woman with an accent that is hard for Anglophones to understand. Having seen the live version, I honestly cannot say how this will do. It's either going to go down well with the voters or ignored, being between Albania and Estonia (both quiet and relatively sane entries) just makes it stand out even more. I would not be surprised if Ukraine is out of the top 10 for the first time since 2005 this year.
Poland : Original video. After Svetlana, the relative tranquility of Lidia's unassuming ballad is welcome. The video has Lidia staring into a mirror, and then staring out into the great unknown. The song is about asserting one's maturity, so to speak (think I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman, but less overt with the sexual aspect). Lidia's voice is beautiful to hear, but the song still seems a little devoid of emotional power given the subject matter. It's almost as if she wants to really belt it out and bring the crazy, but can't. Unfortunately, that might cost Poland come voting time, especially coming in between Serbia's joke that few people get and Norway's onslaught of cute.
I'm still recovering from that Ukrainian preview.
Next time: The Czech Republic tries Gypsy Rap (apparently they were the fun-lovers in Czechoslovakia), Moldova name checks itself a million times, Andorra sends a Dane with a guitar, a ton of charm, and an antisocial message, this year's latest controversial Israeli entry, and perhaps, perhaps Turkey (who presented their entry around New Year's) might have a preview video up.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
There Are No Sacred Cows Anymore at WNBC
WNBC is axing Len Berman, according to the Daily News.
This is like watching Ten Little Indians but with anchors.
This is like watching Ten Little Indians but with anchors.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Wednesday Jukebox Sambas with Ken
It's April 1st, Spring has started, and fun and frivolity are in bloom.
Therefore, this corner of the internet has decided to start the month with an overload of Ken Matsudaira's massively addictive and over-the-top Matsuken Samba series of songs.
First off, Matsuken Samba III, the most recent entry.
A disclaimer: do not expect any slick production here, which just increases the camp value tenfold.
And now, Matsuken Samba II, the massive hit which would not be out of place in All That Jazz.
In lieu of any formal video of the original Matsuken Samba, here is a video of a remix of Matsuken Samba II. It manages to be even trippier than the original, although not by much.
Therefore, this corner of the internet has decided to start the month with an overload of Ken Matsudaira's massively addictive and over-the-top Matsuken Samba series of songs.
First off, Matsuken Samba III, the most recent entry.
A disclaimer: do not expect any slick production here, which just increases the camp value tenfold.
And now, Matsuken Samba II, the massive hit which would not be out of place in All That Jazz.
In lieu of any formal video of the original Matsuken Samba, here is a video of a remix of Matsuken Samba II. It manages to be even trippier than the original, although not by much.
Kohaku Part 2
If you followed the wikipedia link to Kenichi Mikawa's page in the previous Kohaku post, then you may have read that Mikawa has a long-standing competition for most elaborate costume with fellow enka singer Sachiko Kobayashi.
I figure it would only be fair to show a Kohaku performance by Sachiko Kobayashi. (And one from 2007, so you can see her and Mikawa in direct competition.)
All I can say it's a fiercely fair match.
I figure it would only be fair to show a Kohaku performance by Sachiko Kobayashi. (And one from 2007, so you can see her and Mikawa in direct competition.)
All I can say it's a fiercely fair match.
Kohaku: It's like Eurovision but in Japanese
I have finally seen a Kohaku, and I have to say, it is addictive particularly if one has seen a few Eurosongs.
Here is a sample of this past year's edition.
Watch [HUNT][第59å±�ç´�ç�½æ�å�±å¤§è³½]59th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen 2008.12.31 ï¼�chinese subbed) part1 in Entertainment View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
While it may seem that Nakai (SMAPer in the white) and Nakama (Starlet in the red) are being overly solemn and deep in their intro, what they are saying is that "the strength of a song," and "the bonds of people" are this year's theme, and the reverence has more to do with the fact that this is the "really big show" of "really big shows."
After the "ahh, bless moment" with the latest Hayao Miyazaki theme song moppet performing the contest's opening song, that is when the hilarity officially starts as the two hosts proceed (and fail--because it is not humanly possible) to read off the names of the 50 performers going to battle this year.
I would be remiss if I did not mention Kenichi Mikawa, who could educate a few Eurovision performers about how to properly do over-the-top with elaborate costuming.
Watch Sasoriza no onna 2007 in Music View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
Here is a sample of this past year's edition.
Watch [HUNT][第59å±�ç´�ç�½æ�å�±å¤§è³½]59th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen 2008.12.31 ï¼�chinese subbed) part1 in Entertainment View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
While it may seem that Nakai (SMAPer in the white) and Nakama (Starlet in the red) are being overly solemn and deep in their intro, what they are saying is that "the strength of a song," and "the bonds of people" are this year's theme, and the reverence has more to do with the fact that this is the "really big show" of "really big shows."
After the "ahh, bless moment" with the latest Hayao Miyazaki theme song moppet performing the contest's opening song, that is when the hilarity officially starts as the two hosts proceed (and fail--because it is not humanly possible) to read off the names of the 50 performers going to battle this year.
I would be remiss if I did not mention Kenichi Mikawa, who could educate a few Eurovision performers about how to properly do over-the-top with elaborate costuming.
Watch Sasoriza no onna 2007 in Music View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
Movieland: New York City
The Daily News's website has a great photo galllery of films, music videos, and television shows shot in and around New York City.
One thing that surprised me was that NYPD Blue was still shooting in 2001. It really has nearly been a decade.
One thing that surprised me was that NYPD Blue was still shooting in 2001. It really has nearly been a decade.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Eurovision 2009 Preview Reviews: Part 2
Perhaps it is a bit telling that as I write this, History International is airing a documentary on Genghis Khan.
Not that I am about to say that AsOs are going to set the scoreboard aflame.
On with the musical hordes.
Bosnia & Herzegovina : Original video, even if the song isn't breaking the mold. Before I get into the video itself, a little rant about the state of current Bosnian entries. I've found most of the recent Bosnian entries (Bosniac, Croat, and the occasional Serbian one) to be relatively enjoyable. They're got perky pop songs, interesting progressive rock, and even the ballads have a smart and not-extremely patronising/manipulating side to them. Well, that track record is about to be broken, because Bistra Voda is relatively bland. Not so much in terms of lyrics (although they are covered in a haze of metaphors), but in performance and feel. As for the video, it's very stylish: lots of flowing red, black, and gold CGI banners, Communist-era writing of the lyrics in the background, and the lead singer looking like a repressed version of Chris Martin from Coldplay. The real funny thing though, is that even with a video that looks radically different, Bistra Voda still makes think that this is a minor league remixed version of Lejla with any shred of emotion removed.
Spain : Original video, which is not a surprise since the peculiar Spanish format for picking an entry practically makes any serious contender come with a video in tow. We see practically medical close ups of Soraya's back complete with tattoos in Arabic. (Well the song has more than just "a whiff of the souk," it's downtown Cairo.) This is followed by the very blonde and very fierce, to be honest, Soraya strutting around a set with blus fabric floating all over and her very handsome male dancers thrusting all over the place. It's simple, effective, and doesn't distract from the fact that the song is quite dangerously catchy. I still hold to my feeling that Spain will do very well, and could take the trophy.
Cyprus: Original video. (Colour me very surprised.) The Cypriot final came and passed me by without noticing, so this is pretty much my first exposure to the song. It starts out with nature, in particular forests. Christina sings a bunch of platitudes about how mystical fireflies are and the next thing you know we're in Rennaissance times. It's a pretty video, but it seems to really be about nothing, despite claiming to represent this deeply moving treatise on the meaning of life. I don't think Cyprus will be troubling the scoreboard or the jury. (By the way, you'd think after Lisa Andreas singing a ballad alone onstage back in 2004 got them 5th place, the Cypriots would realise that simple and basic is a gold mine amongst all the glitter.)
Estonia: Eesti Laul performance. It was nearly destined that this year's Estonian entry would be from the avantgarde-for-Eurovision genre, and this pretty much is the most televoter friendly one of the lot. (I don't think Eurovision could handle Estonian lo-fi just yet.) Sandra, her hair styled severely straight and clothed in the best formal Emo wear in Estonia, sings in Estonian about nomads, apparently, while the rest of Urban Symphony plays cellos in the background. There's a little more lyrical heft here than with the Cypriot entry, but by singing in Estonian, there's an added layer of mysticism and perceived depth. I do say perceived because all she's singing about is the fact that nomads walked all over creation--although one does wonder if the song is meant as precautionary tale about the environment. Estonia could very well make it out their semi, especially being between the over the top trashiness of the Ukrainian entry and the Disneyfied soul of the Dutch entry.
Malta : Dear Diary,
This is my third time at this big continental singalong in 11 years. I have placed 3rd and 2nd already. My first entry was nearly funeral dirge slow in terms of beat. The next one was a little bit faster and louder. This new one is even faster and louder than that one--which nearly beat that Greek girl. So I am telling you know, Diary, that if I don't win this damn thing the 3rd time around, I am chucking it all in and becoming a Buddhist nun.
Yours truly,
Chiara
Not quite an original video as it is basically clips of Chiara performing the song during the absurdly long and unnecessarily complicated Maltese selection process. Despite my disliking of her 2005 entry for Malta, I thought the video was excellent. The situation is reversed a bit here, as I am not indifferent to her song this year, and the video for it is horrid. Chiara's singing all these lyrics invoking ships and they can't scrounge up money for a couple of harbour shots? Weak.
Sadly, Malta will probably do unbelievably well this year, and poor Chiara will be stuck with this absymal video. Tsk tsk.
Sweden: Unfortunately La Voix did win, because I certainly was hoping that I'd wake up one day and discover that Stay The Night was the real winner, but alas not. Oh well. Let's just leave that for a parallel universe. It's Malena's MF-ing performance. Now, this year Melodifestivalen's powers that be decided to increase the amount of people onstage and add recorded voices. This means that whatever Malena did in Stockholm, it's not likely to be the same floor show in Moscow. And what did she do? She sang opera, sang pop, walked back and forth then down a MF-ing runaway and the rest is history and history-to-be. This being an alt.music year for the Swedes, and being between Armenia and Belarus in the early parts of the semi....I don't think they'll make it to Saturday, or if they do, then it'll be by the skin of their teeth.
Bulgaria: Original video. (Listen SVT, the Bulgarians can scrounge a few bob, so could you.) It's medieval time with Krassy Avry & Co: A knight charges on horseback across a stream! Mysterious people in cloaks! Men singing falsetto! Who would think we'd have to operatic techno songs this year? We don't see Krassy at the beginning, because as photogenic as he is, it is still pretty weird to hear that voice come out of that body--especially when that body can't handle his lower register that well. When we do get to see him he's singing the verse and it sounds like he's about ready to collapse from being stabbed or from food poisoning, either way something's causing him to hallucinate, because Sir Krassy is next shown splayed out on the ground where crow pecks him and a standard issue sexy Bulgarian preview woman is walking towards him with a sword. A very large sword. This is very trippy. As a video, it's pretty good--especially if you don't take it seriously. Unfortunately, I've seen the live performance of this, and all that Dark Ages imagery wasn't there. What was there was a wheezing and melodramatic Krassy and two Bulgarian backing singers performing the chorus in some of the strongest accented English I've ever heard sung. That said, it might be so bizarre that Bulgaria might beat Sweden and qualify...because I doubt both of them will make it.
Belarus : National final performance. The run of original videos from BRTC has come to an end, and in some way, this is a very good thing, because Eyes That Never Lie has no smoke and mirrors to it. It's a seemingly young man, in a 1970s haircut, and a very white suit, singing a very dated 1980s rock song with no comprehension of the lyrics whatsoever. He's just smiling, and smiling, and smiling. I wish the Belarussians would just start sending entries in their native language, the lack of English comprehension is beginning to go from amusing to downright embarassing.
Albania : Original video, with computer portions that seem to be snatched from Tron. The Albanians still remember that a preview is also a chance to market the country, and the winter wonderland Albania that Kejsi walks through is very beautiful. Kejsi's accent however, is a still a touch strong when she sings and you wonder if nerves got to her when she recorded it. Now the song itself is an interesting creature. Some may read the lyrics and see a simple "I miss you, do you miss me?" love song. I read them and I think mental disorder, because these lyrics subtlely suggest that Kejsi might be forever locked in the obsessive part of love, combined with a fair amount of a desire to manipulate and convince someone of their total dependence on her. Unfortunately with Albania coming on right before the car crash that is this year's Ukrainian entry, Kejsi's chances to explore that path on the 16th of May may be low.
The UK: National final performance!? That's a shocker, especially since ALW has been making such a continent-wide fuss about writing the British entry. Anyway, this is a very straightforward presentation. The very beautiful Jade starts out sitting down, then walks towards centre-stage (note: symbolism) , sings very confidantly throughout. The lyrics are cliched, but then ALW has created a bunch of those cliches himself, so it's to be expected. Quite frankly, I think the UK has a very strong chance in a year where simplicity in performance might pay off handsomely.
The Netherlands : Original video. Somewhere in shiny land, three very shiny men, sing a shimmering song about letting the inner light inside of you shine. It could veer into sickeningly sweet sentiment, but The Toppers look a little bit stoic in this shiny land, which saves them from going all the way into hardcore Disney territory. Nonetheless, it does sound like Disney Goes to the (non-threatening) Disco, and from what I've read that's their type of music. The Netherlands closes out the second semi, and coming after the moody and slightly pessimistic Estonian entry, this has a strong chance of qualifying and placing very high.
France : Original video, because it was going to get one whether she took it to Moscow or not. In stark contrast to the sun beams and lollipops of the Dutch entry, Patricia is moody and desperate, and doesn't care if it shows. The video is essentially a performance wherein Patricia stands dramatically still for most of the beginning, flashing a steel-like gaze at the camera periodically. No matter where one's comprehension of French stands, you immediately grasp two things: 1) She is desperate (the title translates as "and if it had to be done.") ; 2) She is about to do something major or have something mind-blowing occur to her and you just want to find out what happens. The fact that the music would be extremely appropriate for a Hitchcock film in the early 1960s highlights this even more. There are a lot of things on France's side this year, and the only thing that might be a liablity is that they are #3 in the running order for Saturday.
Next time (that Macedonian band has caused me to dread that turn of phrase): Il Rouvas hopes the Paparizou luck applies to males as well, Croatia hopes that they missed out on the bland wind that took over the Ex-Yu entries this year, Serbia thinks what Europe needs now is a comedy number--in Serbian--about footwear, Portugal plays it safe and familiar, the Irish remember that they do have a proud tradition of rock bands, Switzerland thinks it is the early 1990s again, Montenegro goes for abundant male homoeroticism--with a beat you can dance to, the Latvians romanticise road gridlock--in Russian, the Norwegians go for elfin charm (this time with a young male), the Slovaks return to Eurovision without missing one overraught beat, Ukraine creates the Frankenstein's monster version of its previous 3 entries, and Poland sends another woman with a screeching ballad, but at least this one dresses tastefully.
Not that I am about to say that AsOs are going to set the scoreboard aflame.
On with the musical hordes.
Bosnia & Herzegovina : Original video, even if the song isn't breaking the mold. Before I get into the video itself, a little rant about the state of current Bosnian entries. I've found most of the recent Bosnian entries (Bosniac, Croat, and the occasional Serbian one) to be relatively enjoyable. They're got perky pop songs, interesting progressive rock, and even the ballads have a smart and not-extremely patronising/manipulating side to them. Well, that track record is about to be broken, because Bistra Voda is relatively bland. Not so much in terms of lyrics (although they are covered in a haze of metaphors), but in performance and feel. As for the video, it's very stylish: lots of flowing red, black, and gold CGI banners, Communist-era writing of the lyrics in the background, and the lead singer looking like a repressed version of Chris Martin from Coldplay. The real funny thing though, is that even with a video that looks radically different, Bistra Voda still makes think that this is a minor league remixed version of Lejla with any shred of emotion removed.
Spain : Original video, which is not a surprise since the peculiar Spanish format for picking an entry practically makes any serious contender come with a video in tow. We see practically medical close ups of Soraya's back complete with tattoos in Arabic. (Well the song has more than just "a whiff of the souk," it's downtown Cairo.) This is followed by the very blonde and very fierce, to be honest, Soraya strutting around a set with blus fabric floating all over and her very handsome male dancers thrusting all over the place. It's simple, effective, and doesn't distract from the fact that the song is quite dangerously catchy. I still hold to my feeling that Spain will do very well, and could take the trophy.
Cyprus: Original video. (Colour me very surprised.) The Cypriot final came and passed me by without noticing, so this is pretty much my first exposure to the song. It starts out with nature, in particular forests. Christina sings a bunch of platitudes about how mystical fireflies are and the next thing you know we're in Rennaissance times. It's a pretty video, but it seems to really be about nothing, despite claiming to represent this deeply moving treatise on the meaning of life. I don't think Cyprus will be troubling the scoreboard or the jury. (By the way, you'd think after Lisa Andreas singing a ballad alone onstage back in 2004 got them 5th place, the Cypriots would realise that simple and basic is a gold mine amongst all the glitter.)
Estonia: Eesti Laul performance. It was nearly destined that this year's Estonian entry would be from the avantgarde-for-Eurovision genre, and this pretty much is the most televoter friendly one of the lot. (I don't think Eurovision could handle Estonian lo-fi just yet.) Sandra, her hair styled severely straight and clothed in the best formal Emo wear in Estonia, sings in Estonian about nomads, apparently, while the rest of Urban Symphony plays cellos in the background. There's a little more lyrical heft here than with the Cypriot entry, but by singing in Estonian, there's an added layer of mysticism and perceived depth. I do say perceived because all she's singing about is the fact that nomads walked all over creation--although one does wonder if the song is meant as precautionary tale about the environment. Estonia could very well make it out their semi, especially being between the over the top trashiness of the Ukrainian entry and the Disneyfied soul of the Dutch entry.
Malta : Dear Diary,
This is my third time at this big continental singalong in 11 years. I have placed 3rd and 2nd already. My first entry was nearly funeral dirge slow in terms of beat. The next one was a little bit faster and louder. This new one is even faster and louder than that one--which nearly beat that Greek girl. So I am telling you know, Diary, that if I don't win this damn thing the 3rd time around, I am chucking it all in and becoming a Buddhist nun.
Yours truly,
Chiara
Not quite an original video as it is basically clips of Chiara performing the song during the absurdly long and unnecessarily complicated Maltese selection process. Despite my disliking of her 2005 entry for Malta, I thought the video was excellent. The situation is reversed a bit here, as I am not indifferent to her song this year, and the video for it is horrid. Chiara's singing all these lyrics invoking ships and they can't scrounge up money for a couple of harbour shots? Weak.
Sadly, Malta will probably do unbelievably well this year, and poor Chiara will be stuck with this absymal video. Tsk tsk.
Sweden: Unfortunately La Voix did win, because I certainly was hoping that I'd wake up one day and discover that Stay The Night was the real winner, but alas not. Oh well. Let's just leave that for a parallel universe. It's Malena's MF-ing performance. Now, this year Melodifestivalen's powers that be decided to increase the amount of people onstage and add recorded voices. This means that whatever Malena did in Stockholm, it's not likely to be the same floor show in Moscow. And what did she do? She sang opera, sang pop, walked back and forth then down a MF-ing runaway and the rest is history and history-to-be. This being an alt.music year for the Swedes, and being between Armenia and Belarus in the early parts of the semi....I don't think they'll make it to Saturday, or if they do, then it'll be by the skin of their teeth.
Bulgaria: Original video. (Listen SVT, the Bulgarians can scrounge a few bob, so could you.) It's medieval time with Krassy Avry & Co: A knight charges on horseback across a stream! Mysterious people in cloaks! Men singing falsetto! Who would think we'd have to operatic techno songs this year? We don't see Krassy at the beginning, because as photogenic as he is, it is still pretty weird to hear that voice come out of that body--especially when that body can't handle his lower register that well. When we do get to see him he's singing the verse and it sounds like he's about ready to collapse from being stabbed or from food poisoning, either way something's causing him to hallucinate, because Sir Krassy is next shown splayed out on the ground where crow pecks him and a standard issue sexy Bulgarian preview woman is walking towards him with a sword. A very large sword. This is very trippy. As a video, it's pretty good--especially if you don't take it seriously. Unfortunately, I've seen the live performance of this, and all that Dark Ages imagery wasn't there. What was there was a wheezing and melodramatic Krassy and two Bulgarian backing singers performing the chorus in some of the strongest accented English I've ever heard sung. That said, it might be so bizarre that Bulgaria might beat Sweden and qualify...because I doubt both of them will make it.
Belarus : National final performance. The run of original videos from BRTC has come to an end, and in some way, this is a very good thing, because Eyes That Never Lie has no smoke and mirrors to it. It's a seemingly young man, in a 1970s haircut, and a very white suit, singing a very dated 1980s rock song with no comprehension of the lyrics whatsoever. He's just smiling, and smiling, and smiling. I wish the Belarussians would just start sending entries in their native language, the lack of English comprehension is beginning to go from amusing to downright embarassing.
Albania : Original video, with computer portions that seem to be snatched from Tron. The Albanians still remember that a preview is also a chance to market the country, and the winter wonderland Albania that Kejsi walks through is very beautiful. Kejsi's accent however, is a still a touch strong when she sings and you wonder if nerves got to her when she recorded it. Now the song itself is an interesting creature. Some may read the lyrics and see a simple "I miss you, do you miss me?" love song. I read them and I think mental disorder, because these lyrics subtlely suggest that Kejsi might be forever locked in the obsessive part of love, combined with a fair amount of a desire to manipulate and convince someone of their total dependence on her. Unfortunately with Albania coming on right before the car crash that is this year's Ukrainian entry, Kejsi's chances to explore that path on the 16th of May may be low.
The UK: National final performance!? That's a shocker, especially since ALW has been making such a continent-wide fuss about writing the British entry. Anyway, this is a very straightforward presentation. The very beautiful Jade starts out sitting down, then walks towards centre-stage (note: symbolism) , sings very confidantly throughout. The lyrics are cliched, but then ALW has created a bunch of those cliches himself, so it's to be expected. Quite frankly, I think the UK has a very strong chance in a year where simplicity in performance might pay off handsomely.
The Netherlands : Original video. Somewhere in shiny land, three very shiny men, sing a shimmering song about letting the inner light inside of you shine. It could veer into sickeningly sweet sentiment, but The Toppers look a little bit stoic in this shiny land, which saves them from going all the way into hardcore Disney territory. Nonetheless, it does sound like Disney Goes to the (non-threatening) Disco, and from what I've read that's their type of music. The Netherlands closes out the second semi, and coming after the moody and slightly pessimistic Estonian entry, this has a strong chance of qualifying and placing very high.
France : Original video, because it was going to get one whether she took it to Moscow or not. In stark contrast to the sun beams and lollipops of the Dutch entry, Patricia is moody and desperate, and doesn't care if it shows. The video is essentially a performance wherein Patricia stands dramatically still for most of the beginning, flashing a steel-like gaze at the camera periodically. No matter where one's comprehension of French stands, you immediately grasp two things: 1) She is desperate (the title translates as "and if it had to be done.") ; 2) She is about to do something major or have something mind-blowing occur to her and you just want to find out what happens. The fact that the music would be extremely appropriate for a Hitchcock film in the early 1960s highlights this even more. There are a lot of things on France's side this year, and the only thing that might be a liablity is that they are #3 in the running order for Saturday.
Next time (that Macedonian band has caused me to dread that turn of phrase): Il Rouvas hopes the Paparizou luck applies to males as well, Croatia hopes that they missed out on the bland wind that took over the Ex-Yu entries this year, Serbia thinks what Europe needs now is a comedy number--in Serbian--about footwear, Portugal plays it safe and familiar, the Irish remember that they do have a proud tradition of rock bands, Switzerland thinks it is the early 1990s again, Montenegro goes for abundant male homoeroticism--with a beat you can dance to, the Latvians romanticise road gridlock--in Russian, the Norwegians go for elfin charm (this time with a young male), the Slovaks return to Eurovision without missing one overraught beat, Ukraine creates the Frankenstein's monster version of its previous 3 entries, and Poland sends another woman with a screeching ballad, but at least this one dresses tastefully.
There is Only One Boston, Mass.
...and I don't think Melbourne could pass for it. This is part of the reasons and rationale Australian director Alex Proyas had for filming the latest Nicolas Cage cinema triumph in Melbourne as opposed to Boston where the story is set.
Now he's leading the fight to redefine the amount of "tax offset" (tax breaks in US-speak) films made in Australia receive. Knowing, which was classified as a "runaway [Hollywood] production" received 15%. An Australian film by comparison receives a 40% tax break*.
* Boston, Massachusetts offered the film a 35% tax break to shoot there.
Proyas's view is that despite an American setting and star, the film is de facto Australian since "all the money has flowed back to [Australia.]
He hopes to make the 40% tax break across the board.
You can read the full article in "Today's" (as in Thursday) Sydney Morning Herald.
All the nonsense about Boston aside, I support the two-tier system. The fact of the matter is that most Australian films (in the sense of those whose creation and/or adaptation began in Australia) start out with a bit of a financial disadvantage than films whose creation/adaptation began elsewhere (Europe, Asia, North America). In order to both grow and maintain the Australian movie industry, it needs to both entice overseas productions to shoot in Australia while also providing a hospitable environment to nuture original Australian films.
Perhaps adjust the rates so that the difference isn't so huge, but keep the tiers. It's only fair, as I see it.
Now he's leading the fight to redefine the amount of "tax offset" (tax breaks in US-speak) films made in Australia receive. Knowing, which was classified as a "runaway [Hollywood] production" received 15%. An Australian film by comparison receives a 40% tax break*.
* Boston, Massachusetts offered the film a 35% tax break to shoot there.
Proyas's view is that despite an American setting and star, the film is de facto Australian since "all the money has flowed back to [Australia.]
He hopes to make the 40% tax break across the board.
You can read the full article in "Today's" (as in Thursday) Sydney Morning Herald.
All the nonsense about Boston aside, I support the two-tier system. The fact of the matter is that most Australian films (in the sense of those whose creation and/or adaptation began in Australia) start out with a bit of a financial disadvantage than films whose creation/adaptation began elsewhere (Europe, Asia, North America). In order to both grow and maintain the Australian movie industry, it needs to both entice overseas productions to shoot in Australia while also providing a hospitable environment to nuture original Australian films.
Perhaps adjust the rates so that the difference isn't so huge, but keep the tiers. It's only fair, as I see it.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday Jukebox Ponders Breaking Through to the Other Side
Eurovision Preview Review fun will resume tomorrow, but in the meantime let's take a break from Eurosong with an interesting thing going on domestically.
Two significantly popular Korean popsters are trying to break into US market: Se7en & BoA. (Rain is also trying to do so as well, but via acting so the jukebox won't get into him.)
Se7en is starting out with a song with Li'l Kim (who is near unrecognisable) called Girls. It's...well, judge for yourself, and I'll give my impression afterwards:
The song itself is not bad, but it's not really attention-getting: no dancing, rather average beat, and there's nothing that makes it stand out from anything else. Still, as an appetiser, it makes me curious as to what he might do next. Girls is currently available on iTunes.
Now for BoA. BoA has a very good track record in both Korea and Japan. She's pretty much a tour de force there, so it would make sense that the next outgrowth would be tackling the English-language market.
Her first single was Eat You Up, released this past Autumn, which certainly was full of double entendres (and occasionally peculiar grammar), although I wonder if team BoA realised it at the time.
Her self-titled album was released earlier this month (available on Amazon, iTunes, and Zune marketplace), and personally, I have to say it's a great listen: it's all dance/electropop with great producers. The release also coincides with the next video off of the album, I Did It for Love. Here's a teaser:
Alas, there's a downside to both of these rather ambitious US debuts: They have dropped the ball in regards to marketing. There seems to be very little--if any--national television interviews, performances, or even features, which is a shame. Perhaps the management teams have a big April/May multimedia press ahead, but I don't think mere word-of-mouth, weird online contests (Win a date with Se7en?), and sporadic live appearances (this country is touch bigger than just Los Angeles and New York) is going to get them beyond niche status at the moment.
Good luck guys.
Two significantly popular Korean popsters are trying to break into US market: Se7en & BoA. (Rain is also trying to do so as well, but via acting so the jukebox won't get into him.)
Se7en is starting out with a song with Li'l Kim (who is near unrecognisable) called Girls. It's...well, judge for yourself, and I'll give my impression afterwards:
The song itself is not bad, but it's not really attention-getting: no dancing, rather average beat, and there's nothing that makes it stand out from anything else. Still, as an appetiser, it makes me curious as to what he might do next. Girls is currently available on iTunes.
Now for BoA. BoA has a very good track record in both Korea and Japan. She's pretty much a tour de force there, so it would make sense that the next outgrowth would be tackling the English-language market.
Her first single was Eat You Up, released this past Autumn, which certainly was full of double entendres (and occasionally peculiar grammar), although I wonder if team BoA realised it at the time.
Her self-titled album was released earlier this month (available on Amazon, iTunes, and Zune marketplace), and personally, I have to say it's a great listen: it's all dance/electropop with great producers. The release also coincides with the next video off of the album, I Did It for Love. Here's a teaser:
Alas, there's a downside to both of these rather ambitious US debuts: They have dropped the ball in regards to marketing. There seems to be very little--if any--national television interviews, performances, or even features, which is a shame. Perhaps the management teams have a big April/May multimedia press ahead, but I don't think mere word-of-mouth, weird online contests (Win a date with Se7en?), and sporadic live appearances (this country is touch bigger than just Los Angeles and New York) is going to get them beyond niche status at the moment.
Good luck guys.
Monday, March 23, 2009
See This
I cannot recommend CSA: The Confederate States of America enough, particularly for anyone who has ever pondered what if the South had won the Civil War, or ever realised how much slavery, notions of racial purity, and its imagery has impacted upon American society--going much further than merely black and white, but affecting all.
It is particularly moving to watch this film when you realise that we are living during a time where the US has a black president.
CSA: The Confederate States of America is airing currently on IFC (Independent Film Channel). Next showing is Monday 30 March at 10 PM EDT, click on the link for additional airdates.
It is particularly moving to watch this film when you realise that we are living during a time where the US has a black president.
CSA: The Confederate States of America is airing currently on IFC (Independent Film Channel). Next showing is Monday 30 March at 10 PM EDT, click on the link for additional airdates.
Eurovision 2009 Preview Reviews: Part 1
It is Preview Review time!
Now Eurovision.tv has decided to embrace YouTube and put all the previews on there, so there's no external player this year.
As always the rule here is give it 60 seconds unless the video is extremely good. Given the selection this year, I don't think I'll be going past the 60 second mark often.
On with the show!
Slovenia : Frequent visitors here during Eurovision season might notice that I tend to preface every Slovenian entry with the statement, "Alya would've done better." I still hold true to that belief this year, even though her EMA entry was one of her weakest musically (performance-wise it was excellent). Anyway, it's the EMA performance of Quartissimo & Martina--given the economic climate I won't be that hard on the broadcasters for not doing original videos. It's absurdly simple in some respects. Quartissimo plays behind 4 screens, then they step through them. Martina (wearing a cloak) sways and tries to look for want of a better term...fierce. Since I've seen the whole thing previously, I know she eventually comes out from the screen and sings the scant few lyrics of the song. I don't really comprehend how this won, but I will say that Quartissimo are quite handsome and Martina does do a lot with very little. It could go either way in Moscow, but unlike the other infamous nearly all instrumental Eurovision entry, this doesn't sound like a funeral dirge.
Russia : National final performance. Anastasia does her best Greek tragedy impression. (I'm thinking Cassandra.) It's hard to tell whether she is nervous or tripping off of some substance. She keeps on swinging back and forth mumbling until the chorus. Kudos to the Russians for sparing us further butchering of the English language this year, but usch, should a song praising one's mother sound like something sung in a beer hall? Goodwill as hosts or intimidation might be the only source of Russian points this year.
Armenia: First original video!!!! Inga & Anush start out in very stylised (and I'm assuming national folk) outfits with lots of fur in front of a banner, and then things get very trippy: flashing lights, men in fur hats playing instruments, mandalas. We like very much. When the singing starts, the sisters are superimposed onto ever changing scenes that look very much like the sets from traditional Japanese drama. Interspersed between shots are a group of disembodied hands clapping around a stylised Sun. Then we get a bit of modernity as sped-up shots of people running into a studio and a highway are shown during the lyric "so just dance, sister." (Well, the title does translate to "a new dance.") And dance they do. It looks very Bollywood, and it does work. Good job. I think they're a dark horse for top 5, and qualification should be easy.
Macedonia: And we go from sublime to subpar. National final performance. Imagine it's 1984 or 85, you're at a fairground, and you're watching a B or C-grade mainstream rock band. There's lots of poodle hair and flashing lights. Now imagine they are singing in Macedonian. Voila, you have this year's Macedonian entry. The main thing that's a problem here is that they are coming across as being serious, which makes it very campy. Not quite Billy Squire campy, but close. I don't think this will be seen on the 16th. It also makes me miss the Makedonski Reggaeton of the past few years.
Finland: Original video! A man (possibly homeless) is lying on the street while cars pass him by. Oh, it's the group's rapper. And apparently the singers are homeless as well, and singing around a garbage fire. It's rather interesting juxtaposing very static imagery with driving house music. I gather the idea here is to illustrate that someone has "lost control" of one's life, due to something (drugs? alcohol? overdosing on bpm?). Deep, and a good effort. I reckon Finland makes it to the final again, with a very good placing to boot.
Germany: Alex Swings, Oscar Sings is the daft name for a duo, so I'll just call them AsOs. Original video! Os tries to look swarthy in "Europe, 2009," while standing beside a wall--some might say given the fact that his shirt is unbuttoned to his sternum that he's basically plying his wares. Meanwhile, As (I'm assuming) is driving around in a vintage convertible looking a bit like he's keen on those Os wares. Realising an opportunity when he sees one, Os gladly jumps in the car and apparently drive from Catalunya to Marseille. (As must be flush with Euros, because I don't think Os "comes" cheap.) Next thing you know, Os is performing in some theatre (shirt now completely open) while As plays the piano, accompanied by the standard jazz background musicians. Then it's on the road again to Italy, which looks suspiciously similar to Catalunya. Sadly, that's the minute mark and the ambiguously gay adventures of AsOs come to an end for me. The song? I don't know. It's a bit bland and twee, but that is not a bad thing for a family-friendly show like Eurovision where the middle always rises to the top. I'll say they'll do better than No Angels and leave it at that.
Iceland: National final performance. (I'm even shocked that they're even participating with all the economic woes they've gone through.) This year's Icelandic entry totally passed me by, and now I know why. Yohanna sings a bland ballad while a cellist moodily plays in the background. It is very clear that Yohanna is too composed and contained to bring the crazy like Anastasia does. She is very pretty and has a pleasant voice, and were this 1993 and the Irish entry, I'd say put your money on this. Since it is 2009, I'd say only being picked as the jury favourite might save Iceland from fading away this year.
Lithuania: National final "performance." I'm putting that in quotation marks because he certainly sang in Lithuanian at the final, but the English version has been dubbed over that, and the close-ups and quick cuts show that some new footage has been spliced in. Here's another one that nearly didn't make it to Pooty-poot's Springtime sing-a-long due to monetary constraints. (Although I would truly like to know how a broadcaster can do a nearly two month long selection, but find it hard to foot the bill to send the winner to the country right next door?) Anyway, Sasha plays patiently at the piano and sings about being a child. Cut in between close ups are images of a mother or mother figure and a child, and the adult is being rather abusive, or at least short with the child. More Sasha, and then an image with a sad looking child with the words "Stop The Violence" superimposed on top of him. Meanwhile, during the chorus Sasha seems to repeat the word "love," while going completely incomprehensible with the other lyrics. Huh? This is an anti-child abuse song? It certainly is being very vague in the lyric department if that's the case. I get that meaning from the Lithuanian version, but this message is totally lost in what I'm assuming is the final version. Perhaps the jury might save it, but the message is totally lost. It's a shame since Sasha is relatively good as a performer.
Hungary: Original video. The Hungarians are very wise these days in respect to picking their entry. They look at a selection from the local charts, pick one that meets the Eurovision entry criteria, and ask the artist if they want to do it. It just so happened that this year it took them three times to get it right, but it was worth the wait. Apparently the swarthy man doing the honours this year is called Zoli Adok and not Adok Zoli, which to the non-Magyar majority watching the show means very little, but it's a funny little thing since the fan world had been calling him Adok Zoli since he was selected. I'll just call him ZA. It's a very sleek and futuristic video ZA has. He starts out floating in some future city while a serene-looking blonde pushes him somewhere. Meanwhile, blue and white clad dancers do their impression of You Can't Win from The Wiz. ZA looks steamily at the camera while the dancers continue to flail all over the place. And all of a sudden we're in some sort of underground 1950s dance club, where a woman in a poodle skirt bounces around happily while surrounded by a bunch of men in tank tops and doo rags. Clearly this video and the song are not taking themselves seriously. Thank god for that. This becomes extremely apparent when ZA & company dance around in sailor outfits. I have to say if they can bring this sort of fun and fluff atmosphere onstage, then Hungary is going to be a dark horse for the win this year. I'm talking Black Beauty in cave at Midnight dark. I'd put money on it.
Denmark : Original video. I feel for Denmark, I truly do. They manage to throw together a national selection that is fun without filler, and no one gives them much credit because of they're all watching the Norwegians and Swedes. Perhaps part of the reason is that the Danes keep picking daft entries. This year it's [Niels] Brinck with a song by Ronan Keating. Brinck happens to look shockingly like Il Keating. He also sings like him too. The latter is not a good thing in my book as I think Ronan Keating's singing voice sounds like cow slowly dying, but that's just my personal view. Anyway, the video is rather simple in concept: close up of Brinck/pretty field of flowers/Brinck singing and playing guitar/waves crashing/close up of Brinck, and so on and so forth with a pretty girl and Brinck's band added in to shake things up. Well, neither the video nor the song grab me and I can't really see people (jury and non) voting for it. It's just bland platitudes about love sung in a nasal voice.
Belgium: Original video, mostly because the Walloons haven't had a national final in aeons. I do not know much about the Walloon music scene, but surely they can do better than Copycat, which apparently is now the name of the group and the song. It's Elvis pastiche as imagined by David Lynch. Now that would be a great concept to explore, but not for 3 minutes on a stage in Russia. The video however is rather intriguing: Patrick looks like a pale 1950's Elvis gone to seed, the backing singers are dressed in day-glo red with garish makeup, and the men on bass and guitar look like they'd rather be traveling around on AsOs's Ambiguously Gay European Tour. To make matters even more bizarre, there is an animated cat. This cat is not as mangy as 1990's Eurocat, in fact he looks like he ate Eurocat and several other entries from 1990. This cat spends the first 30 seconds of the song adjusting his pompadour, while Patrick & Co. are shuffled off to the side of the screen. Then we get something that I was afraid we'd see: an extreme close up of Patrick. Good god, they made him look like death warmed over. Fortunately it's brief as we get to see Patrick's dance moves. (The lyric "he's too fat to rock and roll," does elicit a chuckle out of me after seeing Patrick dance. Not that Patrick is overweight, but because what he's doing is not "rocking and rolling" to my eyes.) This is not going to make it at all. I am continually amazed that RTBF doesn't do the smart thing and just revive Technotronic for a few months to do their entry.
Azerbaijan: Original video, which makes sense since there was no Azeri final. How's this for alliteration? AySel & Arash sing the Azeri song "Always." We see two flames of fire and then proceed to watch Madonna's video for Human Nature being liberally ripped off sans bondage imagery. I'm sorry, but that's what this video pretty much is, AySel & Arash singing happily along while black-clad dancers do a G-rated version of the choreography and imagery from Human Nature. Sure, there's a bit of a running theme of AA being able breathe and shoot fire from their hands, but it's basically Human Nature. The song on the other hand is Azeri Reggaeton with really generic lyrics. Quite frankly the only original thing here is the fact that this is that this is Azerbaijan's entry for Eurovision, and since they already debuted last year, the whole "let's vote for the debutant" factor is gone. They might make it, but given the line up of their semi-final (they are smack dab between ZA and Il Rouvas to boot), I doubt it.
Next post: Bosnia & Herzegovina manage to mash Franz Ferdinand with Lejla, Spain struts and shakes, there's a Cypriot entry?, Estonia goes for redemption after Leto Svet, Malta sends the most successful Maltese entrant ever, that song which beat out Stay the Night for Sweden, medivial acid trips with a Bulgarian falsetto, Belarus inflicts their version of symphonic rock upon an unsuspecting public, Albania thinks a young girl singing about her potential psychological disorder is cute, the UK goes OTT with ALW, while The Netherlands is Simply Wet Wet Wet Camp, and France sends a singer with a song that is very descriptive and yet completely metaphorical at the same time, and I'm not talking about children going bird watching.
Now Eurovision.tv has decided to embrace YouTube and put all the previews on there, so there's no external player this year.
As always the rule here is give it 60 seconds unless the video is extremely good. Given the selection this year, I don't think I'll be going past the 60 second mark often.
On with the show!
Slovenia : Frequent visitors here during Eurovision season might notice that I tend to preface every Slovenian entry with the statement, "Alya would've done better." I still hold true to that belief this year, even though her EMA entry was one of her weakest musically (performance-wise it was excellent). Anyway, it's the EMA performance of Quartissimo & Martina--given the economic climate I won't be that hard on the broadcasters for not doing original videos. It's absurdly simple in some respects. Quartissimo plays behind 4 screens, then they step through them. Martina (wearing a cloak) sways and tries to look for want of a better term...fierce. Since I've seen the whole thing previously, I know she eventually comes out from the screen and sings the scant few lyrics of the song. I don't really comprehend how this won, but I will say that Quartissimo are quite handsome and Martina does do a lot with very little. It could go either way in Moscow, but unlike the other infamous nearly all instrumental Eurovision entry, this doesn't sound like a funeral dirge.
Russia : National final performance. Anastasia does her best Greek tragedy impression. (I'm thinking Cassandra.) It's hard to tell whether she is nervous or tripping off of some substance. She keeps on swinging back and forth mumbling until the chorus. Kudos to the Russians for sparing us further butchering of the English language this year, but usch, should a song praising one's mother sound like something sung in a beer hall? Goodwill as hosts or intimidation might be the only source of Russian points this year.
Armenia: First original video!!!! Inga & Anush start out in very stylised (and I'm assuming national folk) outfits with lots of fur in front of a banner, and then things get very trippy: flashing lights, men in fur hats playing instruments, mandalas. We like very much. When the singing starts, the sisters are superimposed onto ever changing scenes that look very much like the sets from traditional Japanese drama. Interspersed between shots are a group of disembodied hands clapping around a stylised Sun. Then we get a bit of modernity as sped-up shots of people running into a studio and a highway are shown during the lyric "so just dance, sister." (Well, the title does translate to "a new dance.") And dance they do. It looks very Bollywood, and it does work. Good job. I think they're a dark horse for top 5, and qualification should be easy.
Macedonia: And we go from sublime to subpar. National final performance. Imagine it's 1984 or 85, you're at a fairground, and you're watching a B or C-grade mainstream rock band. There's lots of poodle hair and flashing lights. Now imagine they are singing in Macedonian. Voila, you have this year's Macedonian entry. The main thing that's a problem here is that they are coming across as being serious, which makes it very campy. Not quite Billy Squire campy, but close. I don't think this will be seen on the 16th. It also makes me miss the Makedonski Reggaeton of the past few years.
Finland: Original video! A man (possibly homeless) is lying on the street while cars pass him by. Oh, it's the group's rapper. And apparently the singers are homeless as well, and singing around a garbage fire. It's rather interesting juxtaposing very static imagery with driving house music. I gather the idea here is to illustrate that someone has "lost control" of one's life, due to something (drugs? alcohol? overdosing on bpm?). Deep, and a good effort. I reckon Finland makes it to the final again, with a very good placing to boot.
Germany: Alex Swings, Oscar Sings is the daft name for a duo, so I'll just call them AsOs. Original video! Os tries to look swarthy in "Europe, 2009," while standing beside a wall--some might say given the fact that his shirt is unbuttoned to his sternum that he's basically plying his wares. Meanwhile, As (I'm assuming) is driving around in a vintage convertible looking a bit like he's keen on those Os wares. Realising an opportunity when he sees one, Os gladly jumps in the car and apparently drive from Catalunya to Marseille. (As must be flush with Euros, because I don't think Os "comes" cheap.) Next thing you know, Os is performing in some theatre (shirt now completely open) while As plays the piano, accompanied by the standard jazz background musicians. Then it's on the road again to Italy, which looks suspiciously similar to Catalunya. Sadly, that's the minute mark and the ambiguously gay adventures of AsOs come to an end for me. The song? I don't know. It's a bit bland and twee, but that is not a bad thing for a family-friendly show like Eurovision where the middle always rises to the top. I'll say they'll do better than No Angels and leave it at that.
Iceland: National final performance. (I'm even shocked that they're even participating with all the economic woes they've gone through.) This year's Icelandic entry totally passed me by, and now I know why. Yohanna sings a bland ballad while a cellist moodily plays in the background. It is very clear that Yohanna is too composed and contained to bring the crazy like Anastasia does. She is very pretty and has a pleasant voice, and were this 1993 and the Irish entry, I'd say put your money on this. Since it is 2009, I'd say only being picked as the jury favourite might save Iceland from fading away this year.
Lithuania: National final "performance." I'm putting that in quotation marks because he certainly sang in Lithuanian at the final, but the English version has been dubbed over that, and the close-ups and quick cuts show that some new footage has been spliced in. Here's another one that nearly didn't make it to Pooty-poot's Springtime sing-a-long due to monetary constraints. (Although I would truly like to know how a broadcaster can do a nearly two month long selection, but find it hard to foot the bill to send the winner to the country right next door?) Anyway, Sasha plays patiently at the piano and sings about being a child. Cut in between close ups are images of a mother or mother figure and a child, and the adult is being rather abusive, or at least short with the child. More Sasha, and then an image with a sad looking child with the words "Stop The Violence" superimposed on top of him. Meanwhile, during the chorus Sasha seems to repeat the word "love," while going completely incomprehensible with the other lyrics. Huh? This is an anti-child abuse song? It certainly is being very vague in the lyric department if that's the case. I get that meaning from the Lithuanian version, but this message is totally lost in what I'm assuming is the final version. Perhaps the jury might save it, but the message is totally lost. It's a shame since Sasha is relatively good as a performer.
Hungary: Original video. The Hungarians are very wise these days in respect to picking their entry. They look at a selection from the local charts, pick one that meets the Eurovision entry criteria, and ask the artist if they want to do it. It just so happened that this year it took them three times to get it right, but it was worth the wait. Apparently the swarthy man doing the honours this year is called Zoli Adok and not Adok Zoli, which to the non-Magyar majority watching the show means very little, but it's a funny little thing since the fan world had been calling him Adok Zoli since he was selected. I'll just call him ZA. It's a very sleek and futuristic video ZA has. He starts out floating in some future city while a serene-looking blonde pushes him somewhere. Meanwhile, blue and white clad dancers do their impression of You Can't Win from The Wiz. ZA looks steamily at the camera while the dancers continue to flail all over the place. And all of a sudden we're in some sort of underground 1950s dance club, where a woman in a poodle skirt bounces around happily while surrounded by a bunch of men in tank tops and doo rags. Clearly this video and the song are not taking themselves seriously. Thank god for that. This becomes extremely apparent when ZA & company dance around in sailor outfits. I have to say if they can bring this sort of fun and fluff atmosphere onstage, then Hungary is going to be a dark horse for the win this year. I'm talking Black Beauty in cave at Midnight dark. I'd put money on it.
Denmark : Original video. I feel for Denmark, I truly do. They manage to throw together a national selection that is fun without filler, and no one gives them much credit because of they're all watching the Norwegians and Swedes. Perhaps part of the reason is that the Danes keep picking daft entries. This year it's [Niels] Brinck with a song by Ronan Keating. Brinck happens to look shockingly like Il Keating. He also sings like him too. The latter is not a good thing in my book as I think Ronan Keating's singing voice sounds like cow slowly dying, but that's just my personal view. Anyway, the video is rather simple in concept: close up of Brinck/pretty field of flowers/Brinck singing and playing guitar/waves crashing/close up of Brinck, and so on and so forth with a pretty girl and Brinck's band added in to shake things up. Well, neither the video nor the song grab me and I can't really see people (jury and non) voting for it. It's just bland platitudes about love sung in a nasal voice.
Belgium: Original video, mostly because the Walloons haven't had a national final in aeons. I do not know much about the Walloon music scene, but surely they can do better than Copycat, which apparently is now the name of the group and the song. It's Elvis pastiche as imagined by David Lynch. Now that would be a great concept to explore, but not for 3 minutes on a stage in Russia. The video however is rather intriguing: Patrick looks like a pale 1950's Elvis gone to seed, the backing singers are dressed in day-glo red with garish makeup, and the men on bass and guitar look like they'd rather be traveling around on AsOs's Ambiguously Gay European Tour. To make matters even more bizarre, there is an animated cat. This cat is not as mangy as 1990's Eurocat, in fact he looks like he ate Eurocat and several other entries from 1990. This cat spends the first 30 seconds of the song adjusting his pompadour, while Patrick & Co. are shuffled off to the side of the screen. Then we get something that I was afraid we'd see: an extreme close up of Patrick. Good god, they made him look like death warmed over. Fortunately it's brief as we get to see Patrick's dance moves. (The lyric "he's too fat to rock and roll," does elicit a chuckle out of me after seeing Patrick dance. Not that Patrick is overweight, but because what he's doing is not "rocking and rolling" to my eyes.) This is not going to make it at all. I am continually amazed that RTBF doesn't do the smart thing and just revive Technotronic for a few months to do their entry.
Azerbaijan: Original video, which makes sense since there was no Azeri final. How's this for alliteration? AySel & Arash sing the Azeri song "Always." We see two flames of fire and then proceed to watch Madonna's video for Human Nature being liberally ripped off sans bondage imagery. I'm sorry, but that's what this video pretty much is, AySel & Arash singing happily along while black-clad dancers do a G-rated version of the choreography and imagery from Human Nature. Sure, there's a bit of a running theme of AA being able breathe and shoot fire from their hands, but it's basically Human Nature. The song on the other hand is Azeri Reggaeton with really generic lyrics. Quite frankly the only original thing here is the fact that this is that this is Azerbaijan's entry for Eurovision, and since they already debuted last year, the whole "let's vote for the debutant" factor is gone. They might make it, but given the line up of their semi-final (they are smack dab between ZA and Il Rouvas to boot), I doubt it.
Next post: Bosnia & Herzegovina manage to mash Franz Ferdinand with Lejla, Spain struts and shakes, there's a Cypriot entry?, Estonia goes for redemption after Leto Svet, Malta sends the most successful Maltese entrant ever, that song which beat out Stay the Night for Sweden, medivial acid trips with a Bulgarian falsetto, Belarus inflicts their version of symphonic rock upon an unsuspecting public, Albania thinks a young girl singing about her potential psychological disorder is cute, the UK goes OTT with ALW, while The Netherlands is Simply Wet Wet Wet Camp, and France sends a singer with a song that is very descriptive and yet completely metaphorical at the same time, and I'm not talking about children going bird watching.
Sunday Jukebox Bonus Says You Can Have Too Many Dancers
I have never really mentioned the group EXILE here, which is odd since I do like them for the most part. It's just--well--they seem a bit daft to me. You have a group composed of 2 singers, and 5 dancers, which pretty much makes them the male Pussycat Dolls, except that 5 of them have no pretense that they are singers in the group. That said, they do have some good hits, even if the performances are a bit too OTT.
Now I read that HIRO, EXILE's leader and uberboss/manager of several other groups is now merging EXILE with his similar project J Soul Brothers (which did just have a #1 debut album not but a month ago). J Soul Brothers pretty much EXILE with a bit more edge, and with the 2 vocalists joining in the dancing. (Maybe they are more like the Pussycat Dolls more than the mothership, because Nicole does dance her butt off as well.)
Now that you've seen the two groups on their own, prepare yourself to watch the strangeness that is the new 14-person EXILE where there are effectively 12 dancers and 2 vocalists that do. not. move.
It looks like some sort of comedy sketch with The Rockettes, except with grown men--some of whom are pushing 40. The new supersized EXILE's first release is the EP The Monster (no kidding) coming next month.
Now I read that HIRO, EXILE's leader and uberboss/manager of several other groups is now merging EXILE with his similar project J Soul Brothers (which did just have a #1 debut album not but a month ago). J Soul Brothers pretty much EXILE with a bit more edge, and with the 2 vocalists joining in the dancing. (Maybe they are more like the Pussycat Dolls more than the mothership, because Nicole does dance her butt off as well.)
Now that you've seen the two groups on their own, prepare yourself to watch the strangeness that is the new 14-person EXILE where there are effectively 12 dancers and 2 vocalists that do. not. move.
It looks like some sort of comedy sketch with The Rockettes, except with grown men--some of whom are pushing 40. The new supersized EXILE's first release is the EP The Monster (no kidding) coming next month.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Sunday Jukebox Gets Twee
It's the first Sunday of Spring so why not have something twee, cheerful, with a bit of soul, church dancing, and possibly too much bronzer. Here is Shigeru Brown aka Shigeru Matsuzaki (who seems to be a bit of Tom Jones for Nippon, and somewhat succeeding in my view, since he's been around since at least the 1970s) and the video for his song Oyako no March*.
I always envisioned a Japanese Eurovision entry being something along these lines, so it's a good way to get ready for the Preview Reviews later on.
*The title translates as "parent and child March," hence all the happy family imagery.
Coming up later today (cross your fingers) is the first round of Preview Reviews.
I always envisioned a Japanese Eurovision entry being something along these lines, so it's a good way to get ready for the Preview Reviews later on.
*The title translates as "parent and child March," hence all the happy family imagery.
Coming up later today (cross your fingers) is the first round of Preview Reviews.
Not the Best Foot Forward
I'm very glad that Anna Bligh won, but the picture (courtesy of ABC) doesn't exactly put the best face on the Queensland's new leader and her family, who seem to have a more mixed reaction. (Click the picture for the full effect.)Good luck though.
Friday, March 20, 2009
More Tales of Two or Three Newspapers
As much of a moral dilemma that reading Newscorp newspapers give me, I must say that at least they can be entertaining.
None moreso than the New York Post. Here is a selection of headlines from today & yesterday.
And one for the referral obsessives (since this is a Newscorp post).
Mike Woods
Mike Woods
Mike Woods
(You'd be surprised how a bland weatherman can apparently get people google-crazy all the way from New Jersey to Mississippi.)
None moreso than the New York Post. Here is a selection of headlines from today & yesterday.
- "Pussy" Whipped: A Project Runway finalist assaults her ex-fiance with their pet cat. (The online version has a noticeably tamer title than the print edition.)
- Not So Fast, You Greedy Bastards: A NYP take on the government's plan to take back the AIG bonuses.
And one for the referral obsessives (since this is a Newscorp post).
Mike Woods
Mike Woods
Mike Woods
(You'd be surprised how a bland weatherman can apparently get people google-crazy all the way from New Jersey to Mississippi.)
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