The 2015 “Expert” Panel – GERMANY

The ESC United “Expert” Panel is back once again reviewing all Eurovision songs and rank them accordingly.

You are probably asking yourself on how we pick our panel and the criteria. We looked at people from all walks of life to bring together a unique group of panelists with a wide range in taste. They all bring different skills and tastes to the table so who are they?

Anselm – The Alternative Guy
Arie – The Professional Musician
Daniel – The Noob
Katja – The Schlager Queen
Mike – The Smart One
Olivia – The Journalist

You can read more about them HERE

Disclaimer: While we picked, what we perceived individuals with a wide range in taste, it is subjective to a certain degree so just enjoy their thoughts and if you don’t agree, feel free to post your comments below.

Germany is up next. After a dramatic National Final, Ann Sophie was chosen to represent Deutschland in Vienna with the song Black Smoke. What does the jury have to say about this one? Well, let’s find out!

Daniel – The Noob
Thank God! I am so glad Andreas Kümmert declined. He may be a really good singer and his song is a good one as well but the point is that his song “Heart of Stone” is not as unique as “Black Smoke”. Ann Sophie was not my favorite at “Unser Song für Österreich” but I like her song more and more every time I listen to it. It even ended up in my favorite playlist. For some reason I feel that Germany will not do well even though I love this entry.
Points: 9/10

Olivia – The Journalist
It has been a tough journey getting selected for Ann Sophie, but she’s come out fighting. She has one of the more unique voices in the competition. It’s roar, slightly coarse and endearing. The song has a Paloma Faith vibe. It’s feisty and Ann makes the perfect femme fatale figure. I think the juries will like this – it’s a nice composition, with melodic chord progressions. But, I fear this song will get lost in the ether on the night if the staging is not handled properly. It’s need fire and drama to match the message of the song. Anything less than that, and Germany could be in trouble. A safe entry, not a winner – but on the whole decent.
Points: 6/10

Anselm – The Alternative Guy
Thank God Andreas Kümmert didn’t feel like going to Eurovision after all – because this is a lot better! “Black Smoke” is a strong pop song with soul influences and a very slick and professional production. Ann Sophie is undoubtedly a competent performer who clearly knows how to interact with the audience and cameras. However, I hope she will work on her vocals a little until May as her high notes do come off a bit too screechily.
Points: 8/10

Mike – The Smart One
Once again a nice song from Germany even if, like most recent German efforts, it charts little new ground.  The more I listen to it the better I appreciate it.  There is an understated sophistication in this song lacking in other recent German efforts. I appreciated the vocal effects the lead singer uses at times to showcase her voice as well, since they fit well into the overall melody.  On the other hand the slightly Cockney English accent did remind one unhappily.  Still, very well sung with a catchy refrain.  However eclipsed this year by three of the “Big Five”.
Points: 6/10

Arie – The Professional Musician
While admittedly not my personal cup of tea, I will say that (especially for a song of this genre) the melody is surprisingly nuanced and the orchestration/mix is varied due mostly to the electronic mix.  The vocals are strong and clear and appropriate for it’s style.  The lyrics are not “the best”, but certainly not as weak as other songs I’ve rated in the competition thus far.  All that being said, it’s just not my favorite and a lot of that has to due with personal bias, but even at it’s perfection on stage, I can’t see this song being a winner.
Points: 7/10

Katja – The Schlager Queen
At the beginning, I dismissed this for being too much of a Lena-soundalike. But now, I think it’s a perfectly decent song in its own right. Of course, the burden of what happened in the German NF will probably haunt Ann Sophie for a while. But just like Electro Velvet, she has to lose all the doubts ad fears and perform like a true superstar. I think her vocals are good, I’d tone down the in ‘in your face’ attitude and be more smily and approachable. That’s when the audience will connect with her. There is a hit potential here, but still. I do hope for a certain someone (REHCSIFENELEH) to slay everyone next year.
Points: 7/10

Overall: 43 Points

Germany received the stamp of approval from our jury (for the most part) and when adding up all the points, Ann Sophie ends up with 43 Points. That means she is currently tied with Austria. So that means it is time for a tiebreaker. And it was quite close. Neither of the two songs received 10 points and both received one 9 pointer. So it came down to the 8 points. Germany received one and Austria received two so that means the Makemakes win the tiebreaker. But Ann Sophie shouldn’t be too disappointed as she is currently sitting pretty in third place.

Do you think that the panel got this right?!? Share your thoughts below and join the convo on our Forum. See yah soon!