Re: HUNGARY 2018
Apart some rock that had already been served in the two previous semis I think that was the most musically diverse semi final of all last night.
Both the presenters are looking very comfortable now, apart from an initial mistake from Freddie I did notice. I start to like Kriszta's style, liked what she was wearing last night too.
Expected more from first act Nova Prospect. By the end the song wasn't just that outstanding. More the Avril Lavigne physical and vocal similarities I could find on the vocalist, though never been a fan of the former. Breakdown was probably the best part of the song, both instrumentally and visually. That spin she did looked nice on TV, specially during the recap. Thought that'd maybe play out in their favor. Not too sad this one didn't make through although I didn't dislike it. They all seemed a little cocky and over-confident when the televote was about to come in. Again, alright song but not too bothered. Although any song deserved 2nd chance more than the one that did end up getting it. But more on that ahead.
Horváth Cintia és Balogh Tomi's Journey was a complete mess. I never thought this one would have gone through. I don't even know where to begin. Their image for starters. Terrible. What was she trying to go for with that hair? My sweetheart mentioned Rambo Amadeus and I can only think of that too. All that grease. The bloke didn't look any better though. No idea what that vest was. Remember commenting it seemed medieval to me. Cover judged, let's speak of book content - again, a mess. The song felt all over the place. There was a part that I was perplexed at whatever it was trying to do, the structure was odd. Her English was far from great. I only did like the piano bits. Memory is a little foggy but if there were backing vocalists, ok, that too. Otherwise I feel this act was a bit overrated by couple of members of the jury. Televote made it clear it was one of the night's least favorites. Never thought it would get jury's choice during the untying. Always thought it would be Tolvai Reni. Although looking back on their votes now it was the one with marginally best overall score. Certain this will sink on 2nd heat though, one of the 3 overall acts that I feel shouldn't even be there.
I liked Maszkura és a tücsökraj's song ever since I first heard the sample last year. That bass line is just too cool sounding. Very inspired. Just a bit of a whole performance but still the most memorable thing for me, which says something about the song as a whole. I finally had access to my initial impression notes last night and I wrote the same as I thought last night. That I thought the bass and image were interesting but that the vocalist seemed a little disappointing vocally-wise. Unfortunately that remained the case. I liked his style a bit, that top hat was looking good on him, distinctive. Not a great fan of the yellow pants though. It's not like he butchered the song, not at all, but I expected more suiting vocals to such a number. The song requested for deeper, perhaps even spoken vocals but instead he sounded just...neat. Also his body language. Was complete opposite of what I had expected. Although I had drawn a comparison in my mind that I wanted this to sound as a band from my country that I like, so perhaps I have placed unfair expectations in part. Still the unusual atmosphere of the song requested for something else. My partner liked it as it is. Said that the vocalist seems to be a humble guy. I take her word for it. Song did better with juries than what I had thought, although it has a pretty alternative and unique sound and juries are more likely to be into these type of songs than overall public. Which was the case. But could have also been the case of them dislking it and finding it too elaborated. Glad it was not and was satisfied when I learned they had gone through. Although it was not an exciting moment itself. Just announced during some votes recounting to the sound of clapping. Still think some emotion is lacking from the show that could be improved upon. Then again am aware that this is just the Hungarian way.
Next up, Gulyás Roland with Hypnotized. Or however he choses to style the song title. I was alerted from long ago, after listening to the samples that this guy is rather strange and has a rather strange reputation, although certainly not with the teenager crowd that passed him through last night. During the introductory clip I noticed nothing special about him. But then as performance unraveled I confirmed what I was told, that the guy was easily dislikeable. Very prententious mannerisms throughout his body language. The song was weak. Repetitive ad nauseum. I thought this would have never gone through, personally it doesn't feel deserving at all. On hindsight, he and Nova Prospect had the highest televote so perhaps should have expected it to happen. But was very disappointed considering what was left behind. I'd be fine with anything but this, even Andy Roll. My stream even completely froze during the annoucement, I think this glitch resumes well my emotions on the qualification. Has televote only on his side, the jury made it clear that is not impressed by this endlessly repetitive song.
Afterwards came Tolvai Reni. I liked her image from the start, easily distinctable and seems to really have a style of her own. During the intro clip my girl told me that she is the girlfriend or wife of Kállay-Saunders, former representative at ESC. This surprised me quite a bit at first but then it just made me feel ever since that she would go through to the next phase no matter what. Was quite surprised it didn't. Meritocracy really seems to be a work in progress in A Dal, at least partially. I liked the oriental staging and her image. Easy to notice a lot of detailed work had been put into it. The final result came across as pretty visually neat. The song itself however was a bit of a let down. All was sounding alrighty and lightly entertaining until the guy with the rapping stepped in. Now I'm not one for rapping by default but it fits great in some songs, Macedonia's Goro Tjaneski ESC song of some years ahead comes to mind as a good example of that. But here such was not the case. It's not even the rapping that bothered me the most, rather the poor beatboxing. Not an expert in such complex art but seemed to me like the guy needed a bit more training. Song then resumed to reasonable ESC-attractive levels before the final nail in the coffin that was having Reni joining her rapping buddy during the breakdown part of the song. That was just...very poorly thought. Kind of ruined the song for me. Felt a bit sad about this since visually, in terms of staging and imagery I thought this was one of the few acts that would have really stood out on stage in Lisbon. Bit of a shame, any redempting hopes I'd have for her were practically killed during the jury untying. On a side note, I must mention the scarce representation of female performers on A Dal this year is rather worrying. At least qualified songs wise. It's not like that I feel there should be a gender quota, not at all, but you look at the overall list even before the whole contest begins and you get the feeling it'll likely be a man for Hungary again this year. Just a reflection, would be nice to see more women coming forward with quality acts next year. The fact that very few remain might play in their advantage now though. There's always a bright side to everything.
I already knew Ham ko Ham before they even were unveiled as one of the chosen acts during samples phase. Learned all about the guilty pleasure that mulátos szene (this is probably spelled out wrong yet again, so Hungarian users of the forum forgive me in advance. And you lurking out there feel free to register at last and correct me
) is in Hungary, particularly at wedding parties. So I knew this type of music was popular in the country beforehand and that lead me to think these guys would do well and indeed they have done so. I still have mixed feelings on this type of music although my most natural reaction to it is that of just going with the flow and enjoy the tongue-in-cheek humour and careless fun of acts under this style. But obviously it's not my personal style of music at all, don't think I would play this out of free will in a non-fun context. Maybe I need to go through a Hungarian wedding before to really learn how to appreciate these
But anyway, the song I had heard from them before was funnier and catchier than this one last night. This also was fun from the get go, instrumentally at least but something was lacking.
I know this song represents in part a significan ethincal minority in Hungary and that this would always play in their favor. But again, just like I said about women I believe songs should only go through if worthy of qualification, I don't like thinking this made it through just because it is gypsy music, rather because it was fun. But as said, results and consequent qualification were expected. Feel this might go to the final but don't think it'll achieve much more than that. There are just superior quality acts to choose from.
I liked #yeahla feat. Eszes Viki's song. First of all, anyone can see that the girl has a good image and that she would not have let Hungary down in those terms. This counts of course. Then the song itself was very appealing to me. I appreciated this sort of low key keyboard-driven music. Although it was one of my favorites for the night, the low keyness of it can be found to be as one of the reaons for failure. Perhaps it was a bit too much. A little explosion within the song might have benefited the act but then again I fail to see how or where that would have fitted in. Jury was a bit harsh on this votes wise in a subtle way. Was sad for the overall rather low score and smothered hopes at 2nd chance. Was rooting for them. Along with Maya'n'Peti from former semi, these are the two 2018 Dal acts I feel really sad for. My sweetheart showed me Viki's last year's attempt (beautiful song in every aspect, sad to learn it didn't even make to the final) and although the record is probably not as extensive I can't help but get a bit the feeling of an Hungarian Sanna Nielsen in the make in here. Or how else to explain, after at least two quality acts that this girl doesn't even ever make it to the final? Deserved much more last night again.
The whole Andy Roll segment was a wild ride. During the introductory clip I felt he must have been a bit of a joke himself, I mean, all that showing off of his rock'n'roll past footage and how he even has "roll" on his artistic name
Was amusing to watch. So I expected some good old fashioned rock'n'roll. Instead I got served...something I'm still not sure how to describe with precision. But I'll try. Unexpected washed up extremely catchy pop, how about that? This act was just something else. This act felt to me like the outcry of a man going through middle life crisis dressed in layers of endless amusement. His wardrobe for starters, my girl asked whether that was some type of raincoat. From there on 2 to 3 minutes of amusing careless fun went on. If anything, this was great TV. The song itself, the new pop style that former rock'n'roll glory Andy Roll choses to dress himself up in was extremely catchy. I remember quoting him at least thrice during his performance. That goes to show the power of such an act like this. "Turn the lights on" still echoes throughout my mind. This song would have done great at ESC back in 2008 without the juries. Likely Hungarian best result.
On a more serious note, I did find it as an ambitious pop number. Extremely catchy and hard to dislike, unless your sense of humour is a bit off. I don't know whether he was serious or not, I think if this had been performed by someone with that ESC special something it could have done well. But Andy Roll had to play with his own guns and sadly, they are no longer the greatest. I feel sad for him if he was actually serious. If not, I thank him for the most amusing song of A Dal 2018.
Certain members of the jury left their sense of humour home, but of course, and ruined any chances this original act had. Televote indicates that the people of Hungary liked it more than jury's pet and chosen act Horváth Cintia és Balogh Tomi so that goes to tell you something about poetic justice not being served. My sweetheart translated to me a part of what the always stunning and classy (beautiful in red and fitting jewlery last night) Schell Judit had to say about Andy last night. Cyber teddy. That's how Judit described him. Hilarious but actually I think she picked the perfect term to coin his style. One of the few jury members to get in part the brilliance of this act.
I'll miss Andy "the cyber teddy" Roll from this point on. Oh, and much better than Hypnotized of course, goes without saying.
Then came Horváth Tamás with Meggyfa. Noticed this has some sort of favorite aura to it but personally does nothing for me. Firstly, I do not like his image at all. The way he dresses and all those tattoos, just in terms of artist's image I am put off. Then his singing style is just not my type. Although I recognized during act that he does have good vocals. One thing I did quite like was the staging, those falling leaves projected were memorable. The dancers with the sombreros, I suppose they enchace the act rather than damaging it. It felt very busy and lively on stage. I can see why this does well with other people. But really not my cup of tea. My girl quite liked it, went on to brand it as folky but felt more lik a mix to me. It's not a song I dislike, my initial impression is just that this will never rank as a personal favorite. Both juries and televote took this act to a high level of praise so certainly I'll be hearing about it a lot. I feel Hungary has better paths to choose from. Don't think this would have the strongest impact internationally at an ESC stage. Can see Gergely, Leander Rising and Kiraly Gabor as having an instant impact with foreign audiences but Meggyfa feels to me more like it would be an aquired taste and we all know that there's not much time for that during ESC week. Though nowadays, every act is covered to exhaustion but I'm thinking outside the ESC fandom bubble now. In overall, alright act but don't want this to win the whole competition.
Last on the night came Életre kel, interpreted by that harmonious trio. I really liked this song from the get go. There's a beautiful smooth jazzy mood to this that later ends up in ballad stage anthics. The piano melody blends in very naturally with naturally gifted vocals. Have to say Kökény Attila's more than her. Was quite impressed by his rather powerful range. While she had the perfect sweet contrast in her voice to complement his singing. Solid act and song. On my initial impression sample notes I wrote that I did quite like this and a few months after I was not let down. Really like the polished sound and atmosphere of this act. Perfect to slow dance to, to quote someone now
And although it's not your standard ballad, it ends up in a rather ballad note. Loved the body language transpired at the end of the song, the hand holding and all, felt very fitting. Everything was in place with this song and is hard to point out any imperfections. Can see why jury loved this so much, was fully deserving of those high points. In a term of jury votes reminded me of Zöld a május's level of appreciation. Atmosphere wise, although different, a bit too. Perfect closing act for the night, deserve their qualification fully. From the qualified acts it was in fact the one I liked the best, then there's two I like/am ok with and two I really dislike.
Am curious for Heat 2 now, wonder how the acts will be grouped. Think Leander Rising will be grouped with AWS.
Made a list of 8 I want to see in the final last night: Leander Rising, AWS, Knoll Gabi, Vastag Tamás, Süle Zsolt, Király Viktor, Dánielfy Gergely and Szőke – Kökény – Szakcsi. Would also be happy with: Odett, yeyes, Maszkura és a tücsökraj and Biga (on a good day, have conflicting feelings about the song a bit. Sometimes it annoys me how catchy it is despite not being my style per se). Would be ok with: Ceasefire X. Rather indifferent/accepting: Horváth Tamás and Ham ko Ham. Would dislike: SativuS, Horváth Cintia és Balogh Tomi and Gulyás Roland.
P.S.: Again, a week late but thank you for your insightful and informative post [MENTION=4383]balizeg[/MENTION]. Always great to read from you too.