I think Holland needs a younger manager next time . . . .

Thank god the other game was a draw, I’ll certainly be putting the side through their paces ahead of the next round.

Congratulations to France, who top the group, and Italy, who also progress. Commiserations to Holland and Romania who ensured the finish was a lot tighter than many predicted.

ROU – more comedy wacky bullshit, aagh. Stupid “to the left, to the right” voices actually unlistenable. OK-ish Eurodance backing not enough to salvage it. NED – not great but not that bad either, competent Dandy Warhols tribute act (I liked…two Dandy Warhols songs, I think). NED, reluctantly.

Holland are okay, kinda like the jaded songs former members who weren’t the main ones of bands like Pavement would make. It’s like they are having a kick-about. I accidentally voted for Romania. I’m not sure if I should have, they are shouting “booyakashah” for a start.

Holland – gritty reducers MY ARSE, these are skinny indie boys if ever I saw them. The song itself isn’t bad at all but their treatment of it is a bit tentative and weedy. This feels like it should by rights be a Waiting For The Man type chugger, but they’re seemingly content to waste time by the Elliott Smith corner flag instead of going for goal. But they made a small picture of a gnome come up on my ipod, and I liked that. Obviously having a vested interest in this I’m holding out for a draw, but leaning towards Romania.

Italy: Buoyant house w/ bouncing piano worthy of Marshall Jefferson and sampled vocal passion that actually delivers emotion. Probably could use more of a song in front, though I know that’s not the point. Likable entry, but it loses my vote to the French mindfuck. Good contest.

Holland: Indie pop that may get something positive from its restraint, which serves to highlight the harmonic blips of beauty. I’d prefer a stronger singer, but I don’t have my usual urge to shoot such a guy. Might want to slap him, however.

Rumania: Now this one squirts on cutesypop like frosting, but deep beats nail it down. The hammy vocals are a problem, in that fun is being represented here without actually being created. So the question is whether the emotion of the underlying rhythm and song is enough to carry this. This could grow on me once I adapt to the sinigng, but I’m leaning towards Holland.

I do like the French track a lot too tho, except for…the voice! Unfortunately the whispery accent irritates rather than allures.

Now the Dutch aren’t too bad either at least not if you like Phoenix, Das Pop and the like. Unfortunately for them the raucous Romanians are showing them ZERO respect and throwing their maverick wingers forward – seas of yellow and orange clash in the stands but i sense the latter may be outnumbered too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxyOTV4iJHo