The 60th Anniversary EUROVISION 40 for 40 for Vienna continues. Next up is a review of "Time," a collaboration between Uzari and Maimuma (Belarus).
Good to see something good come out musically for Belarus (for the first time since 2013). Time is a catchy, alternative, piano based ballad that flows on freely. Nothing else can be said. This is yet another of the countless amounts of ballads this year in Vienna. This will no doubt qualify for the grand final. Both will perform this in the first semifinal on May 19.
TEO can have his cheesecake, and since I love cheesecake, this one has a strawberry on top. In other words: TEO is plain, while these two kicked it up a notch. Enough said.
Teo. Yes that is what his name is. What were you thinking? Manti Te'o? TEO is the Belarussian entry this year at Copenhagen with "Cheesecake."
"Cheesecake" is a bit lame, but I'm sure the only ones who will appreciate this song are the top 40 trash crowd. You know they'll vote this shit in for May 10 considering it is (1) for top 40 tastes and (2) tween girls will find him as 'cute' (see Ireland 2011 and 2012 as another example of why shitty songs go over powerful ones through an ESC semifinal). But sadly, that is the huge letdown of text voting across Europe on semifinal nights for way over a decade. I refuse to go into detail about this song, but please listen to it why I hate this song.
With that in mind, he will perform on Thursday 8 May in the second semifinal, and my bold prediction is that he won't make it to the grand final. Just based on song alone. Why has Belarus gone from solid stuff in the ESC the last few years, from Anastasia Vinnikova's "I Love Belarus" in 2011 (some find it corny, but I like it), to LITESOUND's "We Are the Heroes" (my second favorite song from Baku 2012), and last year with Alyona Lanskaya's "Solayoh" (despite the change from "Rhythm of Love", still like it, and is one of my favorites from Malmo) to this? Why? Just like Finland had solid entries within the last eight years, and then they send utter shit in 2013. Who actually like such shitty entries like this? C'mon man.
Hence the GEICO gecko's "Cheesesteak Shuffle" is much better than "Cheesecake." End of story.
111 days to go until the opening ceremonies of Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Belarus.
Belarus has competed in the winter Olympics since Lillehammer 1994. Ten medals have been won by Belarusian athletes in the winter games, including a gold medal.
Freestyle skier Aleksei Grishin is the only winter Olympic gold medalist, as he won the men's aerials gold at Vancouver 2010.
As of now, ten quota spots are up for Belarus at Sochi; all of those in men's and women's biathlon. Men's ice hockey failed to qualify.
Malmo 2013 '39 For 39' rolls on with Alena Lanskaya with "Rhythm of Love" "Solayoh."
Why the title and song change? Remember, she won the Belarussian national final with "Rhythm of Love," but changed the song to a different beat. Either way, they're both good. It's not like Litesound last year when "We are the Heroes" tweaked the sound a bit for the stage in Baku. I still like both, despite the chance that if I had a choice, I'd say their studio version was better. Keep in mind, she was disqualified after initially winning the national final for Baku last year, resulting in Litesound heading to Baku. This time, she got away scot-free.
See for yourself whether or not you liked the song change by listening to "Solayoh":
My final jury: I have decided to break down the review into two:
Don't even compare "Solayoh" with "Rhythm of Love." Both great, both would make the final either way.
Don't compare this with "We are the Heroes" by Litesound. Both great tunes, and I hoped that Litesound would've made the final last year.
I hope this one will head to the grand final on May 18.
EDIT: forgot to add that the official music video for this song is out. It's on the EUROVISION YouTube page.
190 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Belarus (BLR).
The former Soviet republic first competed in the summer Olympics at Atlanta 1996, after the Soviet Union breakup of 1991 (resulting in their last dance together at Barcelona and Albertville the following year as the "Unified Team"). Since Atlanta, 66 medals were won by Byelorussian athletes.
Ten of those 66 were gold medals. The most golds won was 2, by the lady above-Ekaterina Karsten. She won at Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 in single sculls rowing. The nation also garnered 20 silver and 36 bronze to add up to 66 summer Olympic medals so far.
As of now, 15 sports will be represented by 111 athletes, including men's football (soccer), as well as various swimming and athletics events.
