The 2015 “Expert” Panel – THE NETHERLANDS

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.

The Netherlands was one of the first countries to reveal their artist and song. Trijntje Oosterhuis was internally selected to represent her country with the song “Walk Along”. Let’s find out if our panel thinks of it.

Olivia – The Journalist
Oh Netherlands. You have a tough act to follow after last year’s entry, which put the Netherlands firmly back on the Eurovision map. But this is sadly nowhere near. The voice is fine, instrumentation nice, but the song itself is dull, and doesn’t seem to go anywhere. The middle eight is a welcome break to an irritatingly repetitive song. And, “why,, why why” did they not add a key change? It’s screaming out for one! Oh and please remove a few of the ‘why’s… surely there are far more valuable words in the dictionary? If the staging is as forgettable as the song, then sadly this time the Dutch are in trouble – and I question if it will qualify.
Points: 4/10

Anselm – The Alternative Guy
Ouch. The Netherlands were about to become one of the new powerhouses in Eurovision and then this happened. Obviously my expectations were rather high after Anouk and The Common Linnets. As far as I’m informed, Trijntje Oosterhuis (who is also a well-respected artist in her country) found this song in the depths of Anouk’s computer. Well, there’s a good reason Anouk never actually decided to release this song. It’s so bland and repetitive it actually manages to irritate me. Why? Why-y-y-y?
Points: 1/10

Arie – The Professional Musician
Damn it, Dutch people!  What the heck?!  Ai ai ai is right!  I don’t understand the almost Spanish feel with all the ai ai ais, and in fact I don’t understand this song at all as far as being your “best” contribution to a song competition (especially in light of recent years).   Again, it end up begging to be picked up and dropped into the background of a commercial….this time a travel commerical where they’re sipping beers enjoying a beach.  Beyond that, if it isn’t in the background, it’s just kind of annoying especially because the tone and quality of the singer, Trijntje Oosterhuis, is wasted on this overly repetitive, only slightly melodically interesting piece of “eh”.
Points: 5/10

Mike – The Smart One
This is one of this year’s earworms for me. I really like the descending line in the refrain. The refrain was stuck in my head on this week’s car trip and it took a while to clear my head and concentrate on my driving. The female lead has a mellifluous voice appropriate for the song. The melody only requires a limited range but she delivers it well with appropriate phrasing and nuances and adds a couple of flourishes that show that she has more than is asked for. Slightly inventive lyrics. Bravo for the third year in a row, Holland.
Points: 7/10

Katja – The Schlager Queen
Now we’re talking again! Very anthemic chorus. Perhaps a tad repetitive and it can get a bit irritating with continuous plays, but it’s the first impression that matters. Besides, Trijntje is no a fresh winner of a talent show aiming for spotlight, but almost a veteran in Dutch showbiz, also famous for being on point vocally and having a warm stage presence. Also knowing that the same stage director from the last 2 years will do the performance in Vienna, I think the Dutch may score a hat trick in qualification to the final. They’d deserve it!
Points: 8/10

Daniel – The Noob
Every single German radio station has been playing “Calm After The Storm” by The Common Linnets. I hate this song. So it is even more satisfying that The Netherlands sends Trijntje to Vienna. I think she is at least a thousands times better and more exciting than The Common Linnets. When you see her on stage, smiling at you, you would never be able to bite back a smile because she is so incredibly nice-looking and loveable. With her steady and powerful voice I am positive that she will be blowing the audience away even though she is 42 years old.
Points: 9/10

Overall: 34 Points

So the opinions couldn’t be further spread out. The votes are all over the place which makes for an interesting final score. Trijntje’s song finished with 34 points which is basically slightly above average and she has to thank Katja, Mike and Daniel for that.

Let’s have a look at the current ranking (Click on the Country for the full review):

1	Denmark Anti-Social Media The Way You Are Points: 40

2	Russia Polina Gagarina A Million Voices Points: 36

3	Netherlands Trijntje Oosterhuis Walk Along Points: 34

4	Czech Republic Marta Jandová & Václav Noid Bárta Hope Never Dies Points: 33

5	Moldova Eduard Romanyuta I Want Your Love Points: 26

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