May 22, 2006 at 4:31 AM
Explain yourselves for *this* choice:(Skip to 40 seconds in for the band to start playing. For U.S. readers who don't follow European news, the band, Finland's Lordi, won the annual Eurovision song contest. Think 'American Idol,' but less contrived and with even higher TV ratings.)
I just want to add that Laurie picked up the chord progression and was playing along on her violin within 30 seconds of listing to this. Then she begged me to shut it off so she could practice in peace.
Personally, I love the finnish entry. I really hope that they do an Australian Tour, because I reckon that it'd be an awesome show.
Second place: With the classic lyric, "Flesh on my flesh; bone on my bone...."
Third place, WITH A VIOLIN!
I thought Europeans always had more class than Americans.
Finnish is pretty cool-sounding, though. I have to say that.
Eurovision is nothing to do with American Idol (yes, we have nth variaitons of those on out TVs too, incl an Ameican Idol + Big Brother combined). But it is all hearsay, as I just don't have the patience to watch such stuff myself.
Yes, there is politics, even within the countries as to how the representative is chosen. Here in Spain, the most awful syrup gets sent year after year, which has nothing to with its popular music scenein this country.
The one time they sent a "real singer", many years ago, the orchestra (yes, eurovision used to have an orchestra!!) actually got up and applauded. She came in second nevertheless, and in fact is now the "teacher" in the idol-cum-brother show..
Well, the Finnish guy said, quote-behind all these costumes is an ordinary guy who walks the dogs, goes to the supermarket, and is really too boring to get to know-unquote.
Eurovision classical musician contest.
Do I need to add that most people have never heard of the existence of the latter as it is not even broadcast by the public tv that sponsers it, at least here in Spain, not even on its "cultural" channel 2? Not even in the middle of the night?
Last time I checked a huge majority of Europe takes Eurovision VERY seriously. Despite the "light" nature of a Rock contest, this is a continental-wide expression of nationalist sentiment on the part of the judges and audience members. Note that I am not criticising but merely am stating as is.
Do I think there are political ramifications? Not at all - but it's an interesting exercise for socialogists in examining the attitudes of the judges and audiences.
Being a twit is not just reserved to those who watch American Idol religiously. There's twits everywhere regardless of nationality. Just because a large group of people take The Eurovision Contest seriously does not exclude them from this. This of course is my opinion, no matter how jaded, harsh or ignorant/arrogant it may seem.
Anyhow, this is a board about Violins, Violinists, Violists,Cellists, "good music" etc etc etc. I have no idea why we're even discussing Eurovision. It's too lame for words and not worth the bandwidth this tyrade is typed upon.
I'd love to see something like this is America. Having songwriters compete beats the heck out of 'Idol," which is nothing more than a singing contest for over-managed, pop-voiced youngsters.
I saw some interesting musicians in Eurovision. And there is *much* than any musician can learn from the contest about stage presence and "selling" a performance to an audience. Music can be art, but it is more often entertainment, and there's no reason why an artist cannot develop the skills to deliver both.
And, my heavens, if we can't make fun of "monster rock," what can we make fun of?
Regarding Karin's comment "I thought Europeans always had more class than Americans", I used to think the same way but now I've changed my mind.
Not long ago I talked with an "old lady" in Munich about classical music and about the wonderful orchestras in her city, and she replied "we have good beer too". When I told her about the magnificent museums and architecture she went on talking about the football (soccer) teams, the size of the airport and I don't remember what else... I'm disappointed with the "europeen class", but I must regretfully admit that I've never been to the states and I can't judge by myself. Most of the people I "know" in the usa are those who blog in v.com, and this isn't probably a representative sample. I mean, I start to get the idea that every american knows Kabalevsky, Goldmark, Korngold... and it probably isn't true, is it?
I would say "class" has spread uniformly all around the world, but it hides behind beer and football.
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