A-lister
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- Joined
- December 28, 2009
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There was a time when juries decided everything in Eurovision. They overlooked what would become some of the biggest Eurovision hits (such as Gina G's "Ooh ah just a little bit"), they constantly overlooked entries which showcased something different than the western-centered sound. The southern/south-eastern countries such as Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Yugoslavia & Cyprus often gave the contest some flavor, but that was never something the juries could appreciate though and schlager and "tender-ballads" were dominating the contest in times when both pop and other genres were progressing everywhere BUT in Eurovision.
Eurovision generally was seen as dated and boring and out of touch of contemporary music. The music was generally some decade behind the actual trends and whenever a song wasn't, it was overlooked by the juries.
Then something happened slowly when televoting was allowed. Alot of new countries (mainly from the ex- communist bloc) that quite recently gained independence and new strength and pride could suddenly compete on the same terms as the old western ones, and man they DID! It all started with Sertab's win and finally Eurovision became fun and exciting again. The westerners were offcourse unhappy that now they had to step up their game and couldn't get away with grandma's old ballads any longer.
Although the language rule was gone, fresh and local sounds were mixed like never before and new hungry countries were producing top modern songs and some older overlooked countries regained their strange. Turkey, Armenia & Greece became masters in combining the local traditional sounds with modern pop and big shows. Newcomer Ukraine became a big player aswell with grand shows and modern pop with a local twist. Russia, that was overlooked during the 90's, suddenly entered one entry after the other with contemporary music almost on the same level as what was popular on the radio all over the globe.
Eurovision was exciting. While phenomenons such as diaspora voting and bloc voting did kill some of it, there's no denying that Eurovision was a big fun show where you could get some really cool music. Where you were blown away by big shows and where you could hear sounds that for the general viewer (mainly in the west) were both exciting and new.
In 2009 major players such as Ukraine had their biggest over-the top show yet and Russia became bolder after winning sending a rock-folk song that may have not been liked by all, but it was something different for sure. Estonia topped themselves with one of the most mystic ethnic entries ever and both Armenia, Moldova & Portugal were entertaining Europe with their unique local styles. Norway (one of the "older" players) were one of few old countries that had catched on and understood the game and the new level and it paid-off obviously.
Then in 2010 juries were introduced fully also in the semifinals and something happened, some "older" players were suddenly in the game such as Belgium. Which presented a very mellow Jazon Mraz type of song with no show and just a guitar.. fair enough... while Finland was a public favorite with their first real ethnic entry in Finnish language, but juries showed their real colors and here we are in 2011 and it seems Eurovision has been thrown back some decade ago.
Western/Central countries are happy because now their safe middle of the road songs are getting appreciation all out of the sudden, while Russia and Ukraine (the big players) are starting to play on that new safe and simplistic level with entries totally catering to the western-centered half-dated sound appreciated by the juries.
Has Eurovision become better or has the excitement and fun been deleted along with the full re-introduction of juries? Some people say excitement comes with unpredictable countries fairing well, while I believe excitement comes in a great show and interesting music.
Who are these juries? They obviously can't be radio programmers because the type of music juries support wouldn't get any radio play. It's also not the type of people you would hire as your club DJ, maybe if you would kill the party only. It's obviously a bunch of people that really dislike music with identity aswell and they just seem like a bunch of people who generally dislike fun.
Are they here to make western countries feel happy by themselves again sending middle of the road safe songs and shows? Are they here to cater to an idea of western-centered middle of the road music? Because African tunes from Norway (2011), Finnish ethno and French club music (2010) is certainly not appreciated by juries, while early 90's American Disney ballad left-overs are getting jury praise.
What do you think? Or is it just me thinking Eurovision totally lost its fun and excitement?
I said last year we will see yet a decline in quality and interesting music with the juries now on board, it seems the majority agree 2011 is weaker than previous years, and looking at 2011 I'm fearing it will be even worse next year. Juries killed the fun and made countries making big effort uninterested in ever doing so again.
What's the point with spending all those money on a big show when simplistic in both music style and performance is the only thing appreciated? Again we're back in the day when you get punished for putting effort, sending something different, sending something local sounding and/or sending something hit-worthy.
So what do you think? Have the fun declined? Is the level lower? Is the music still interesting?
Eurovision generally was seen as dated and boring and out of touch of contemporary music. The music was generally some decade behind the actual trends and whenever a song wasn't, it was overlooked by the juries.
Then something happened slowly when televoting was allowed. Alot of new countries (mainly from the ex- communist bloc) that quite recently gained independence and new strength and pride could suddenly compete on the same terms as the old western ones, and man they DID! It all started with Sertab's win and finally Eurovision became fun and exciting again. The westerners were offcourse unhappy that now they had to step up their game and couldn't get away with grandma's old ballads any longer.
Although the language rule was gone, fresh and local sounds were mixed like never before and new hungry countries were producing top modern songs and some older overlooked countries regained their strange. Turkey, Armenia & Greece became masters in combining the local traditional sounds with modern pop and big shows. Newcomer Ukraine became a big player aswell with grand shows and modern pop with a local twist. Russia, that was overlooked during the 90's, suddenly entered one entry after the other with contemporary music almost on the same level as what was popular on the radio all over the globe.
Eurovision was exciting. While phenomenons such as diaspora voting and bloc voting did kill some of it, there's no denying that Eurovision was a big fun show where you could get some really cool music. Where you were blown away by big shows and where you could hear sounds that for the general viewer (mainly in the west) were both exciting and new.
In 2009 major players such as Ukraine had their biggest over-the top show yet and Russia became bolder after winning sending a rock-folk song that may have not been liked by all, but it was something different for sure. Estonia topped themselves with one of the most mystic ethnic entries ever and both Armenia, Moldova & Portugal were entertaining Europe with their unique local styles. Norway (one of the "older" players) were one of few old countries that had catched on and understood the game and the new level and it paid-off obviously.
Then in 2010 juries were introduced fully also in the semifinals and something happened, some "older" players were suddenly in the game such as Belgium. Which presented a very mellow Jazon Mraz type of song with no show and just a guitar.. fair enough... while Finland was a public favorite with their first real ethnic entry in Finnish language, but juries showed their real colors and here we are in 2011 and it seems Eurovision has been thrown back some decade ago.
Western/Central countries are happy because now their safe middle of the road songs are getting appreciation all out of the sudden, while Russia and Ukraine (the big players) are starting to play on that new safe and simplistic level with entries totally catering to the western-centered half-dated sound appreciated by the juries.
Has Eurovision become better or has the excitement and fun been deleted along with the full re-introduction of juries? Some people say excitement comes with unpredictable countries fairing well, while I believe excitement comes in a great show and interesting music.
Who are these juries? They obviously can't be radio programmers because the type of music juries support wouldn't get any radio play. It's also not the type of people you would hire as your club DJ, maybe if you would kill the party only. It's obviously a bunch of people that really dislike music with identity aswell and they just seem like a bunch of people who generally dislike fun.
Are they here to make western countries feel happy by themselves again sending middle of the road safe songs and shows? Are they here to cater to an idea of western-centered middle of the road music? Because African tunes from Norway (2011), Finnish ethno and French club music (2010) is certainly not appreciated by juries, while early 90's American Disney ballad left-overs are getting jury praise.
What do you think? Or is it just me thinking Eurovision totally lost its fun and excitement?
I said last year we will see yet a decline in quality and interesting music with the juries now on board, it seems the majority agree 2011 is weaker than previous years, and looking at 2011 I'm fearing it will be even worse next year. Juries killed the fun and made countries making big effort uninterested in ever doing so again.
What's the point with spending all those money on a big show when simplistic in both music style and performance is the only thing appreciated? Again we're back in the day when you get punished for putting effort, sending something different, sending something local sounding and/or sending something hit-worthy.
So what do you think? Have the fun declined? Is the level lower? Is the music still interesting?
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