Not As Bad As I Thought, Norway

In advance of the Norwegian national final today, I've been looking at what is on offer, and despite some of the my protests ahead of some of the semi finals I think at this point that Norway are left with a fairly strong national final. OK, it's not Melodifestivalen, but it's not as poor as UMK in Finland. Most importantly songs that were of little unique value were eliminated. But now, let's look at what is left:

Annasofi - I'm With You
It's a pleasant song from Annasofi, but a far cry from Fairytale. Annasofi is able to perform this song with the grace it needs. A really nice song, with great instruments, but an unlikely superfinalist. Grade:B

Gromth feat. Emil Solli Tangen - Alone
I'm not a fan of this by any strech. It's a poor mix of rock and opera. Though it won the semi final it would an unlikely winner as it will struggle in the Superfinal against Margaret Berger, who's song is similar and appeals to the same audience. Grade: D-

Vidar Busk - Paid My Way
Does anyone actually care? This is a fairly average song that came third in the semi-final and arguably the weakest semi-final at that. Hasn't a hope of winning, really average song that we've all seen before. Not a superfinalist either. Grade: D

Lucky Lips
Like Vidar Busk, this has little hope of winning. Honestly I don't understand why there is a jury wildcard in Norway. If the public already put nine songs into a final why another in with it? Grade: C-

Fjellfolk - Ultetuva
Fjellfolk have certainly got the most Scandinavian sounding song in this year's contest. A strange combination of folk, ballad and rhythm, it's got a lot to it and surprised me when it came second in semi-final 2. This is an unlikely winner but I would not be surprised to see it in the Superfinal. Personally I really like this song and hope it does well. Grade: B+

Datarock - The Underground
Out-of-date, cheesy and meaningless lyrics, surely this has Eurovision written all over it. This bounce pop song is certainly one of my favourites but its failure to win the semi-final mean I Am doubtful it can win tonight a possible superfinalist, that is all. Grade: A-

Gaute Ormasen - Awake
Most unremarkable song in this year's contest. Grade: D+

Sirkus Eliaseen - I Love You Te Quiero
Joke entry alert! This stupid but catchy rap song could conceivably do well. However if it went to Eurovision it would go the same direction as the Trackshittaz. Grade: B-

Margaret Berger - I Feed You My Love
Arguably the most controversial entry in this year's MGP. It is the bookies favourite and very, very divisive. It is a strange combination of ballad and rock. If it wins expect to see similar divisions to Suus. I like this but its not my favourite. Certainly the most likely winner. Grade: A-

Aledén - Bombo
The biggest surprise of MGP this year was when this won the third semi-final. Second favourite with the bookies, the Mediterranean pop song is a delight and helped by the fanatic looking Aledén. Its my favourite in Norway and I'd love to see it at Eurovision. Grade: A

I'm away for the weekend so I don't have the time to be on Twitter. May the best song win.

Weekend Edition

Unfortunately I was away all this weekend (with family in the midlands) and that meant that though I was carefully watching the busy Scandinavian weekend from my phone in a hotel lobby I wasn't blogging so in this Weekend Edition I look back at the weekend.

Denmark
Denmark selected Emmelie de Forest to go to Malmo in May with her song Only Teardrops. As I said in my review of the Danish national final this was my favourite in the national final. It's always nice when your favourite wins, that's for sure.

There appears to be widespread praise for the song and its convincing win in DMGP suggests that it has a great chance at Eurovision but it is very early to be making predictions. Congratulations to Emmelie.

Norway
Things are not going well in Norway and the shine that used be associated with it as a strong national final country has well and truly come off of it. This week they sent Margaret Berger, Fjellfolk and Annsofi to the final. However overall there is not one outstanding song or even a song that I would be satisfied to see Norway send to Eurovision. This new style of music may well be an epic fail.

Iceland 
Iceland held both their semi-finals over the weekend have selected six songs to progress to the final of the competition. I suppose the only real shock is the fact that Yohanna did not make it to the final and to the surprise of many fans, Magní Asgeirsson didn't qualify through the public televote but had to rely on the jury wildcard. All in all Iceland have a nice national final lined up but it will be very interesting to see who wins it.