The 2015 “Expert” Panel – FRANCE

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.

Back in the day, France ruled the contest but over the past couple of decades, they haven’t had much success. Can Lisa Angell with her “N’oubliez pas” change that? Let’s see if our panel will fall for it.

Mike – The Smart One
I admit I’m a Francophile. I admit that I love the French language. I also love classic French ballads. This song satisfies me on all of these counts. It is very well sung by the contralto with appropriate nuances, although her occasional irregularity of syllabic pronunciation in defiance of “règles” irritates. I do like the new upper range flourish recently added to the song. I also like how well the song builds in intensity from the simplicity of the beginning to the percussion and added vocals of the end as well as the increased dynamics. World War I memorial noted. Shame the live performance will drag it down.
Points: 9/10

Katja – The Schlager Queen
Some more old-school ESC-flashbacks. Now to the era when France was sending such Celine Dion soundalikes (some people would say clones) and did very well. This is a whole lot like Sandrine Francois’s entry from 2002. Very formulaic and it’s not really the best example of a genre I know, but it’s competent and decent enough. Unfortunately, I do think it’s chance-less on the night. It’s just too remote of what today’s ESC-voting and music consuming audience likes and listen to and I think it’s time for the French to up their game for next year.
Points: 6/10

Olivia – The Journalist
Well this is certainly very French isn’t it? The french have entered with what they know best – the France Chanson; a style of songwriting which marries the monosyllabic nature of the French language, with their love for balladic form. But for me it’s the subject matter that is the most remarkable. The song was written at the time of Armistice Day, which remembers the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany. The lyrics are truly beautiful: ‘Il ne me reste que les cendres. De mon village plongé dans le silence’. However, moving though it may be, it’s a safe entry. Little of it is memorable. Little of it is bad. It’s melodic, and there’s a nice, much-needed key change. And, if you love this kind of genre, then you’ll love this, but if you were looking for something a bit different, following last year’s whacky entry, this is not it! Lisa Angell’s voice is big, and can certainly fill an arena. But sadly she certainly won’t be giving any other entries a run for their money. If TwinTwin couldn’t even progress further than last place, then I doubt this will.Points: 3/10

Arie – The Professional Musician
With a typically french female solo voice, we are promised a stirring power ballad by the opening strains of France’s entry. The melody line flounders about in hopes that it will rise triumphantly…it doesn’t. The bass becomes more present in foreshadowing that the orchestra will explode in sound….nope. The dynamics gently crescendo in a promise that the soloist will finally belt on God’s high….she barely gets up the hill. I can not speak for the lyrics, as I am not fluent in French, but as for everything else in this song, it just feels like a grenade that didn’t go off. Unremarkable song with an unremarkable score.
Points: 5/10

Daniel – The Noob
Being a beautiful song, this entry will not remain in the minds of the viewers. This is just one of many songs which are lovely to hear but they do not electrify. Simply put, they are boring. Besides it is a pity that my French I learned in school, did not last to understand one single word. There is not much more to say because it is simply indifferent.
Points: 4/10

Anselm – The Alternative Guy
I was initially disappointed with this choice as I thought it was a dull effort contrary to what France is usually known for. However, this has been a big grower for me. Once you get the feel for the song it becomes really pretty and powerful. I love how it builds up and unfolds towards the end of the song. I’m not worried about her live vocals at all but I’m kinda afraid Lisa Angell doesn’t show enough charisma on stage to sell a ballad like this.
Points: 8/10

Overall: 35 Points

The panel certainly did not agree with each other on this one. From three to nine points, this votes are all over the board. Added up though, Lisa manages to take home 35 points which puts her further down in the ranking but it couldn’t have been worse, I suppose. Let’s have a look at the current Ranking:

1	Australia Guy Sebastian Tonight Again Points: 47

2	Austria The Makemakes I Am Yours Points: 43

3	Denmark Anti-Social Media The Way You Are Points: 40
4	Romania Voltaj All Over Again Points: 38
5	Montenegro Knez Adio Points: 37

6	Belarus Uzari and Maimuna Time Points: 36 (8)
7	Russia Polina Gagarina A Million Voices Points: 36 (7)
8	France Lisa Angell N’oubliez pas Points: 35
9	Netherlands Trijntje Oosterhuis Walk Along Points: 34
10	Czech Republic Marta Jandová & Václav Noid Bárta Hope Never Dies Points: 33
11	Moldova Eduard Romanyuta I Want Your Love Points: 26