Re: HUNGARY 2018
My thoughts on this first semi:
Having heard all song snippets back when they came out I expected some interesting diversity already beforehand, but did not expect some acts that I consider to be strong contendants to be grouped together right now on this first semi. So names-wise it was looking interesting to me before it even started.
I like how the intro to the show was done, with all the participants singing bits here and there throughout Budapest. Thought it was a good idea. Not sure if the song was specially designed for this purpose (or who penned it) but assume so.
As for the presenters there is not much that can be said. The person I watched with expressed some surprise over Freddie presenting the show so I suppose it was a debut foray (or near that) for him. I agreed with her comments that at first he seemed a little nervous/uncomfortable but he seemed more loose throughout the night, specially in the green room. Not sure if just my eyes, but regarding the wardrobe his coat seemed a little oversized and left me wondering if he was follwing in the steps of Salvador
The girl was okay in overall. Much more at ease obviously. I remember commenting with my girl that considering the "pool" in Hungary someone with more impressive looks could have been chosen. The wardrobe looked very Grease-friendly. Usually I like that but I would have liked to have seen something more classy or risky for this kind of show. Just seemed a little too "Idols"-safe choice to me (then again I'm no authority on clothing at all so might just be talking nonsense right now).
First act Living room was pretty bland to me. I remember having liked the snippet better (wish I had the initial comments I noted down back then with me now to compare). Obviously lyrics knowledge is little to none so I judge the musical content, image and staging for the most part as we all do when watching foreign national finals. So maybe the lyrics had something in them. But in case they did the emotions didn't really shine through. Thought it was impressively unremarkable and that the whole act seemed to rely on the looks of the lead singer who gave me the impression to be a little cocky guy through his body language. I was not surprised this did not that make it through although with the final televote thought it could have been possible.
Next was Tamás Vastag which I liked better. Much better. The song is more inspired, just like the staging. The angel references left a mark. I thought he has a good suave image as well, there's some class to that guy. I was pretty disappointed with the jurors voting. I already had counted him out throughout the whole night when the final televote came in. I jokingly referred to him as the ugly duckling and Omar Naber of this semi, misunderstood and underrated. So I was really very happy and quite surprised when it was revealed he had been the chosen one by the public to get the last spot in the final. Don't know why but almost celebrated it as some goal had been scored. I just don't like injustices, I thought he had made more than enough to make it to the final and am glad that at least he's getting that.
Next up Noémo. I noticed it was the favorite of some people beforehand. I thought that instrumentally it was kind of interesting, even if a bit low key. But the rest wasn't just my cup of tea. The whole unnecessairly complex dress (a possible Barbara Dex award contender) and "the enchanted forest" (though I disagreed on this with my partner) staging just seemed to complicate the song rather than enhacing it. It got some ok points but not too sad about leaving this one behind.
Leander Kills really rocked that stage afterwards. Having already known a couple of songs them before this apperance I thought they did not disappoint now either. That's a good heavy rock number. Nothing to point but positive headbanging-references to the quality of the instrumentalization of the song. Image-wise, not so keen on what Leander wore himself but if this is to be the one lucky song for Hungary this year then we all know that image and wardrobe go through 10 times more revamps than songs do, so not too worried. Really have nothing bad to point out about the whole act other than that, the thing I liked the least was...the haircut of their guitar player. Cut that down man Looks a little misplaced in a rock band, I mean.
I'm not one for diversity merits, meaning, just because it was a rock act I don't really think this one song should have passed just because of that. I'm sure it helped, factions always do in contests like these but I am positive that the act is in the final due to merit, not "diversity quota". The writing was just superior to most other songs, alongside Vastag's "Ne hagyj reményt". I was a bit surprised however that it did well with both parts, jurors and televote. The surprise laying in by how safe they got themselves into points-wise just right after having performed. But personally thought it was deserved and am now curious about whether they really stand a chance in the final and do this well again.
Süle Zsolt's song before being performed just stood out for me through the title. I thought it was an interesting choice. The snippet was alright, did not stand out as much as the song then would yesterday. Thought it was pretty well packed in overall, dreamy-friendly without getting to be cheesy. Obviously didn't understand the words but person I was with confirmed the lyrics were good when asked. I think this is one of that kind of songs that, unless you are into the performance, only non-foreigners understand the true quality of the act. Only song to have gotten 10's from the jury, was a bit impressed by that. The only thing I did not liked (and we agreed on this) was the wardrobe of Zsolt. It looked a little tacky. For my taste at least. In overall I like "Zöld a május" but am not sure if it can be anywhere further than the final now. I have a bit of a hard time imagining this song being selected over all others and then how it would even work on an ESC stage. Although Salvador's victory last year opened doors to singing in your own language, which is great, but it remains to be seen how many non-English songs will actually surface on stage in Lisbon in a few months.
I have no idea why I thought Knoll Gabi was going to be a rock act. I think the intro video of hers confused me a bit. And I am sure there is a rock act with a girl singing that I heard from the snippets. I must have confused names though. Anyway, "Nobody to die for" was clearly the most ESC generic sound friendly song of the night. And in that aspect I must say it disappointed quite a bit. Song and stage did feel busy but did never quite "explode" in a way that I would have personally liked. So a little underwhelming. Not sure about the staging either, seemed a little weird. Still not sure whatever was that black instrument (?) she did play for a while on the right side of the stage. Bear in mind I'm writing all this with just last night's memories in mind. On further watches I may understand things better. But I find writing first impression important, no matter how wrong or ignorant it may reveal itself to be in the future since that's what happens with most people when watching the actual contest. Most do now follow as closely as some of us do here and I think it's interesting to reserve our right to experience this sort of "virgin" watching experience so that we can better understand why the majority who only watches the contest on it's high week think the things about the songs they do and pick up more on details we'll later on find dismissable than of instead actually dissecting the act through a proper number of watches and seeing the whole evolution of the song, from birth to ESC stage.
I digress a bit now. Back to Gabi...we didn't quite like the wardrobe either. It seemed a little cheap for us. Or I don't know what was the idea...glittery hip-hop friendliness? Eitherway, did not work out for us. I can see this song having passed more on "diversity quota" merits than actual song merits but that's just my opinion. Think most of the Hungarian public agrees since despite passing it was the song receiving the lowest televote score.
Fourtissimo was a song we both had some hopes far. The snippet was promising. Electroswing is kind of a rare gem in Eurovision. So we were looking forward to this one song. And by all means the song was lively, fun and dance-friendly. It had a major weak point however which happened to be precisely the vocalist. My girl commented the vocals were weak and I couldn't help but agree. Also we both disliked the wardrobe choice. Again, looked a little cheap or at least sloppy. Other than this I liked, though the mustache on the guy further to the left still looks kinda creepy. But maybe that's just me Having all this said I was a little surprised still that the jury was quite harsh on this. Televote indicates a better liking of the song and I can imagine some people being disappointed now. But I really think the vocalist ruined their chances a bit. Name-wise it reminds me a little of Slovenia's Quartíssimo. Now I love that one instrumentally too and even though most people pointed through the years that the vocalist came to ruin that I still find it enjoyable. But I suppose is the same situation. Good songs that are nearly unanimous quality-wise but that have the vocalist being perceived as their weak point.
I liked Ceasefire X more when I listened to it in the snippets. Or how to say it, I was expecting more out of it than what it eventually ended up showcasing last night. In overall it reminded me of solid acts such as Oscar Zia's Melodifestivalen contender "Human" as well as Kristian Kostov's 2nd placed "Beautiful mess". But only without the explosion and moving emotion of those songs. It felt a bit disappointing although if somehow this is the song to make it to Lisbon I see it as the most revamp friendly of all performed last night. And if to happen the revamp should not only be song-wise but also image and staging-wise. Am okay with it making through but not really excited for it.
Viktor Király's "Budapest Girl" has stood out early on since the first snippets. This was just really too well-written, absolutely nailed. Easy to imagine it on ESC stage. I'm not one for acoustic songs per se but this one clearly stands out from the pack. Peformance on stage last night was just the confirmation of how much of a favorite this one song is like the televote indicates. We liked the staging, those bar lights in the background looked nice. There are plenty of ways to wrap this up nicely on ESC stage, should it make there. And it's an easily effective song, just the initial guitar chords draw you into the song very easily. Personally I think this could do even better, with say, an outstanding looking singer (talking of the cover of the book more often than I use to but eventually it really does matter in ESC, is lesson learnt over these many years) but just Viktor might be enough. Not surprised at all it did well and am sure it will again on the final. Real surprises to me were Leander (not for the points it got but how it ended up on top) and Zsolt (actually surprised me a bit).
"Budapest girl" has it all anyway. Curious about the other semis to see if there's any other song with an impact as strong as this that will contend with it for the sole reserved place for Hungary in Lisbon this year.
Last in the order, and in my personal opinion designed that way for a final comic relief to a rather interesting semi was Patikadomb. I still feel a bit of cringe reminding myself of the vocalist's image. My girl told me that odd facepaint represented something as deep emotions of the singer or something, which just made the whole thing even more weird. The song itself was bland, had a hard time understanding what it was even doing there. Suppose there is room for everyone. But this never stood a chance. I was told it's more teen-friendly music and really not surprised this targets only that specific audience. Anyone a little wiser will easily dismiss an act such as this. But I appreciate the humor it brought up to the night.
So in overall a rather interesting semi-final with fair results. Am just not a big fan about how the televoting is revealed right after the songs are performed and judged by the pannel. That takes away excitement from the show. Could just very well be presented at the very end as is the usual in most national finals. This made the most exciting moment of the night be...6th qualifier. It shouldn't be that way. Even though the 6th qualifier was an act I liked and was rooting for. But I can't imagine much excitement being had by non-fans. Maybe it's just the way it is but I would change this.
As for the venue and stage. Nothing grand, but effective. I love the typical golden conffetti at the end of the night. Always gives a touch of class to a televised show such as this.
Forgot to mention the jurors. Really did not know anyone, only heard of Frenreisz Károly's band (and speaking of him, remember now the invited perfoming act too, was a little surprised by the very different style of Omega's lead singer nowadays). So can't really talk much of these people other than through their image and emotions channeled through body language. Schell Judit seemed to be a really kind person, I'm now curious about her acting. Gave an otherwise all-male pannel a touch of classiness. Had no problems with jury's choice, only Both Miklós seemed to be a rather conceited person. Also that mustache. I think Fourtissimo's creepy mustached member still pulled out a better mustache than this guy.
Would have loved to have seen Rúzsa Magdi there but understand she's busy with other things now and that it's probably not of her interest to take part in something ESC-related after all these years.
Looking forward for semi 2 next week.
My thoughts on this first semi:
Having heard all song snippets back when they came out I expected some interesting diversity already beforehand, but did not expect some acts that I consider to be strong contendants to be grouped together right now on this first semi. So names-wise it was looking interesting to me before it even started.
I like how the intro to the show was done, with all the participants singing bits here and there throughout Budapest. Thought it was a good idea. Not sure if the song was specially designed for this purpose (or who penned it) but assume so.
As for the presenters there is not much that can be said. The person I watched with expressed some surprise over Freddie presenting the show so I suppose it was a debut foray (or near that) for him. I agreed with her comments that at first he seemed a little nervous/uncomfortable but he seemed more loose throughout the night, specially in the green room. Not sure if just my eyes, but regarding the wardrobe his coat seemed a little oversized and left me wondering if he was follwing in the steps of Salvador
The girl was okay in overall. Much more at ease obviously. I remember commenting with my girl that considering the "pool" in Hungary someone with more impressive looks could have been chosen. The wardrobe looked very Grease-friendly. Usually I like that but I would have liked to have seen something more classy or risky for this kind of show. Just seemed a little too "Idols"-safe choice to me (then again I'm no authority on clothing at all so might just be talking nonsense right now).First act Living room was pretty bland to me. I remember having liked the snippet better (wish I had the initial comments I noted down back then with me now to compare). Obviously lyrics knowledge is little to none so I judge the musical content, image and staging for the most part as we all do when watching foreign national finals. So maybe the lyrics had something in them. But in case they did the emotions didn't really shine through. Thought it was impressively unremarkable and that the whole act seemed to rely on the looks of the lead singer who gave me the impression to be a little cocky guy through his body language. I was not surprised this did not that make it through although with the final televote thought it could have been possible.
Next was Tamás Vastag which I liked better. Much better. The song is more inspired, just like the staging. The angel references left a mark. I thought he has a good suave image as well, there's some class to that guy. I was pretty disappointed with the jurors voting. I already had counted him out throughout the whole night when the final televote came in. I jokingly referred to him as the ugly duckling and Omar Naber of this semi, misunderstood and underrated. So I was really very happy and quite surprised when it was revealed he had been the chosen one by the public to get the last spot in the final. Don't know why but almost celebrated it as some goal had been scored. I just don't like injustices, I thought he had made more than enough to make it to the final and am glad that at least he's getting that.
Next up Noémo. I noticed it was the favorite of some people beforehand. I thought that instrumentally it was kind of interesting, even if a bit low key. But the rest wasn't just my cup of tea. The whole unnecessairly complex dress (a possible Barbara Dex award contender) and "the enchanted forest" (though I disagreed on this with my partner) staging just seemed to complicate the song rather than enhacing it. It got some ok points but not too sad about leaving this one behind.
Leander Kills really rocked that stage afterwards. Having already known a couple of songs them before this apperance I thought they did not disappoint now either. That's a good heavy rock number. Nothing to point but positive headbanging-references to the quality of the instrumentalization of the song. Image-wise, not so keen on what Leander wore himself but if this is to be the one lucky song for Hungary this year then we all know that image and wardrobe go through 10 times more revamps than songs do, so not too worried. Really have nothing bad to point out about the whole act other than that, the thing I liked the least was...the haircut of their guitar player. Cut that down man
Looks a little misplaced in a rock band, I mean. I'm not one for diversity merits, meaning, just because it was a rock act I don't really think this one song should have passed just because of that. I'm sure it helped, factions always do in contests like these but I am positive that the act is in the final due to merit, not "diversity quota". The writing was just superior to most other songs, alongside Vastag's "Ne hagyj reményt". I was a bit surprised however that it did well with both parts, jurors and televote. The surprise laying in by how safe they got themselves into points-wise just right after having performed. But personally thought it was deserved and am now curious about whether they really stand a chance in the final and do this well again.
Süle Zsolt's song before being performed just stood out for me through the title. I thought it was an interesting choice. The snippet was alright, did not stand out as much as the song then would yesterday. Thought it was pretty well packed in overall, dreamy-friendly without getting to be cheesy. Obviously didn't understand the words but person I was with confirmed the lyrics were good when asked. I think this is one of that kind of songs that, unless you are into the performance, only non-foreigners understand the true quality of the act. Only song to have gotten 10's from the jury, was a bit impressed by that. The only thing I did not liked (and we agreed on this) was the wardrobe of Zsolt. It looked a little tacky. For my taste at least. In overall I like "Zöld a május" but am not sure if it can be anywhere further than the final now. I have a bit of a hard time imagining this song being selected over all others and then how it would even work on an ESC stage. Although Salvador's victory last year opened doors to singing in your own language, which is great, but it remains to be seen how many non-English songs will actually surface on stage in Lisbon in a few months.
I have no idea why I thought Knoll Gabi was going to be a rock act. I think the intro video of hers confused me a bit. And I am sure there is a rock act with a girl singing that I heard from the snippets. I must have confused names though. Anyway, "Nobody to die for" was clearly the most ESC generic sound friendly song of the night. And in that aspect I must say it disappointed quite a bit. Song and stage did feel busy but did never quite "explode" in a way that I would have personally liked. So a little underwhelming. Not sure about the staging either, seemed a little weird. Still not sure whatever was that black instrument (?) she did play for a while on the right side of the stage. Bear in mind I'm writing all this with just last night's memories in mind. On further watches I may understand things better. But I find writing first impression important, no matter how wrong or ignorant it may reveal itself to be in the future since that's what happens with most people when watching the actual contest. Most do now follow as closely as some of us do here and I think it's interesting to reserve our right to experience this sort of "virgin" watching experience so that we can better understand why the majority who only watches the contest on it's high week think the things about the songs they do and pick up more on details we'll later on find dismissable than of instead actually dissecting the act through a proper number of watches and seeing the whole evolution of the song, from birth to ESC stage.
I digress a bit now. Back to Gabi...we didn't quite like the wardrobe either. It seemed a little cheap for us. Or I don't know what was the idea...glittery hip-hop friendliness? Eitherway, did not work out for us. I can see this song having passed more on "diversity quota" merits than actual song merits but that's just my opinion. Think most of the Hungarian public agrees since despite passing it was the song receiving the lowest televote score.
Fourtissimo was a song we both had some hopes far. The snippet was promising. Electroswing is kind of a rare gem in Eurovision. So we were looking forward to this one song. And by all means the song was lively, fun and dance-friendly. It had a major weak point however which happened to be precisely the vocalist. My girl commented the vocals were weak and I couldn't help but agree. Also we both disliked the wardrobe choice. Again, looked a little cheap or at least sloppy. Other than this I liked, though the mustache on the guy further to the left still looks kinda creepy. But maybe that's just me
Having all this said I was a little surprised still that the jury was quite harsh on this. Televote indicates a better liking of the song and I can imagine some people being disappointed now. But I really think the vocalist ruined their chances a bit. Name-wise it reminds me a little of Slovenia's Quartíssimo. Now I love that one instrumentally too and even though most people pointed through the years that the vocalist came to ruin that I still find it enjoyable. But I suppose is the same situation. Good songs that are nearly unanimous quality-wise but that have the vocalist being perceived as their weak point.I liked Ceasefire X more when I listened to it in the snippets. Or how to say it, I was expecting more out of it than what it eventually ended up showcasing last night. In overall it reminded me of solid acts such as Oscar Zia's Melodifestivalen contender "Human" as well as Kristian Kostov's 2nd placed "Beautiful mess". But only without the explosion and moving emotion of those songs. It felt a bit disappointing although if somehow this is the song to make it to Lisbon I see it as the most revamp friendly of all performed last night. And if to happen the revamp should not only be song-wise but also image and staging-wise. Am okay with it making through but not really excited for it.
Viktor Király's "Budapest Girl" has stood out early on since the first snippets. This was just really too well-written, absolutely nailed. Easy to imagine it on ESC stage. I'm not one for acoustic songs per se but this one clearly stands out from the pack. Peformance on stage last night was just the confirmation of how much of a favorite this one song is like the televote indicates. We liked the staging, those bar lights in the background looked nice. There are plenty of ways to wrap this up nicely on ESC stage, should it make there. And it's an easily effective song, just the initial guitar chords draw you into the song very easily. Personally I think this could do even better, with say, an outstanding looking singer (talking of the cover of the book more often than I use to but eventually it really does matter in ESC, is lesson learnt over these many years) but just Viktor might be enough. Not surprised at all it did well and am sure it will again on the final. Real surprises to me were Leander (not for the points it got but how it ended up on top) and Zsolt (actually surprised me a bit).
"Budapest girl" has it all anyway. Curious about the other semis to see if there's any other song with an impact as strong as this that will contend with it for the sole reserved place for Hungary in Lisbon this year.
Last in the order, and in my personal opinion designed that way for a final comic relief to a rather interesting semi was Patikadomb. I still feel a bit of cringe reminding myself of the vocalist's image. My girl told me that odd facepaint represented something as deep emotions of the singer or something, which just made the whole thing even more weird. The song itself was bland, had a hard time understanding what it was even doing there. Suppose there is room for everyone. But this never stood a chance. I was told it's more teen-friendly music and really not surprised this targets only that specific audience. Anyone a little wiser will easily dismiss an act such as this. But I appreciate the humor it brought up to the night.
So in overall a rather interesting semi-final with fair results. Am just not a big fan about how the televoting is revealed right after the songs are performed and judged by the pannel. That takes away excitement from the show. Could just very well be presented at the very end as is the usual in most national finals. This made the most exciting moment of the night be...6th qualifier. It shouldn't be that way. Even though the 6th qualifier was an act I liked and was rooting for. But I can't imagine much excitement being had by non-fans. Maybe it's just the way it is but I would change this.
As for the venue and stage. Nothing grand, but effective. I love the typical golden conffetti at the end of the night. Always gives a touch of class to a televised show such as this.
Forgot to mention the jurors. Really did not know anyone, only heard of Frenreisz Károly's band (and speaking of him, remember now the invited perfoming act too, was a little surprised by the very different style of Omega's lead singer nowadays). So can't really talk much of these people other than through their image and emotions channeled through body language. Schell Judit seemed to be a really kind person, I'm now curious about her acting. Gave an otherwise all-male pannel a touch of classiness. Had no problems with jury's choice, only Both Miklós seemed to be a rather conceited person. Also that mustache. I think Fourtissimo's creepy mustached member still pulled out a better mustache than this guy.
Would have loved to have seen Rúzsa Magdi there but understand she's busy with other things now and that it's probably not of her interest to take part in something ESC-related after all these years.
Looking forward for semi 2 next week.
