Melodifestivalen Semi Final 1: Review

Unfortunately thanks to SVT's bizarre ideas I have to construct a review from clips of less than one minute but lets give it a bash anyway

David Lindgren - Skyline
A strong song to open the competition. David returns from a very successful debut in Melodifestivalen last year. This is broadly what we expected from David this year. This is the favourite to go to the final from this semi-final, and is second favourite to win overall. It also is notable that he won the vote in the dress rehearsal. Personally I was never the greatest fan of this type of song, it feels very hollow. Nevertheless it's still good. Certainly a qualifier and possibly more. Grade: A-

Cookies 'N' Beans - Burning Flags
Seasoned Melodifestivalen competitors Cookies 'N' Beans return to Melodifestivalen with a song by Frederick Kempe. The song itself is fairly old-fashioned Melodifestivalen, however it is endearing in a strange sort of way. Personally I like this but don't think it has a hope. Grade: B

Jay-Jay Johnson - Paris
Debut Melodifestivalen performer Jay-Jay comes with an unusual song with some French influences (at least that's what I think they are). It is a very odd song to listen to the first time round but still, it has its charms. I find it difficult to believe that enough people will be able to listen to this the first time round and get it. So it will be in the running for last place in the semi-final in my view, still a very creative and different song. Grade: C+

Mary N'diaye - Gosa
Once again we have another new Melodifestivalen performer. Mary brings an upbeat pop song with African influences. It's pleasant to listen to but I think we've seen this before with Stella Mawagi - it may sound a little different but it still is not up to the required standard. Grade: C

Eric Gadd - Vi Kommer Aldrig Att Forlora
A rather dull song from Eric with far to much drumming for the overall song. This is just not what I like. That said the song has a nice tune that would be nice without the drumming but if it was entered without the drums then it would be a fairly dull song and would not advance in the competition. Do drums really make a difference? No. Grade: C-

YOHIO - Heartbreak Hotel
Another one of the highly tipped to do well in this semi final. This is a strong rock song but still it is lacking in something and though it could do well I'm not sure this is the right song for the popular band. This might be more of an Andra Chansen then a Finalist. Personally, as many of you may guess rock is not a genre I was ever a fan of. Grade: D

Anna Jarvinen - Porslin
A very surprising song is in seventh position. Anna's song reminds me of some of the Eurovision entries that might be found in the 1970's particularly the early part of that decade. This song is sweet but is it a finalist?, probably not. The one minute clip of the song is last part of the song which not really that dramatic. Still I like this. Grade: B

Michael Feiner & Caisa - We're Still Kids
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you return of Epic Sax man Mark II. This is a fun pop song from the duet. I just love this song, though then again I was a Bjorn Ranelid fan. Though some might not put this direct to the final I think that the Swedish public probably will go for this, particularly as it is in the last running spot in the final. Grade: A

So I hope you enjoy the evening and let's all hope for a fair result.

Melodifestivalen Running Order Revealed

Today on what has now become known as SVT Thursday SVT revealed the Melodifestivalen running order (For the semi-finals). The semi-finals are opened by David Lindegren and end with Ulrik Munther. Really their is not a whole pile of surprise involved in this, largely because there is not quite as many returning artists as normally would be expected.

The most interesting is who received the coveted last place in the semi-final went to Ulrik Munther. This generally considered to mean that he is Christer Bjorkman's favourite and is a song that Christer thinks has a chance. This means one of two things: The song is amazing or more than likely Christer just thinks he's onto a hunch. Christer's crazy ideas have had very much mixed success even when they do actually make it out of Melodifestivalen. In 2009 he decided the world needed to hear Malena Ernman. BAD IDEA. Didn't even get to the top 10 despite all the great songs in Melodifestivalen that year. 2010, Anna Bergendahl. I don't need to elaborate. 2011 Eric Saade. Good Choice Christer. 2012 Danny Saucedo. Oh but who won Eurovision. It wasn't Danny.

Certain those who catch Bjorkman's eye are always worth watching mainly because of the massive budget that is thrown at their performance.

Now those of you who may be thinking that Ulrik might have a chance but I am somewhat skeptical. Last year he was though he came joint third with David Lindgren he still didn't manage to win his semi-final against David and only managed to come in fourth place with the juries. On top of that he only finished eighth in the televote. This is an artist who doesn't exactly have the hallmarks of someone who really has a strong chance of winning. You could argue that many artists may have had a shot had it not been for Loreen hoovering up the votes, however I'm not convinced that Ulrik would have massively improved in the absence of Loreen.