MESC 2013: REVIEW OF THE SONGS

This year oikotimes.com listens to the songs and reviews the participants’ bids for their national finals across Europe. Today we reviewed the Maltese 2013 national final entries and we have some interesting comments after listening to them.

WATCH THE MESC 2013 PARTICIPANTS VIDEOS HERE
VOTE FOR THE SONGS HERE

Chris Grech: Never walk away
A newcomer to the Malta Eurovision 2013 which is always welcomed. Chris has a very specific voice which could appeal to a lot of young people though. The rockballad is definitely not bad at all however I doubt that the maltese public and jury’s would go for it totally on the finals. But all my respect for Chris Grech!
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: risky, but could stand out if the only song in its genre

Kevin Borg: Needing you
The absolute topfavourite to win this years National Final. Why? Kevin moved to Sweden some years ago, winning the Swedish Pop Idol and building up a career. He was and is still liked a lot by the maltese public and this accomplishment in Sweden is making Maltese people very proud. Now on the song which remains the most important. Definately one of the strongest songs in the competition. To be honest I expected slightly more somehow, the song is nice but it need that something extra to stand out completely. However I have a very good feeling that Kevin will give that last push during the live show. And remember there is when the points will be given, this is only a first impression.
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: most likely

Melanie Zammit – Loverdose
Now this is somehow a surprising sound from Malta. Very electronicpop dance, I wonder how Melanie will do this live. So there is immediately the weak point in my opinion. I fear, being this a studiosong, that this might fall through. Something is not working here in my honest opinion, but we’ll see.
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: not in a million years

Jessica Muscat – Ultraviolet
Now a very interesting track since it was composed by Thomas G:Son and Philip Vella, penned by Gerard James Borg. The song is not bad at all but somehow I don’t see completely the match with the vocals of Jessica Muscat. Also I believe that the expectations are so high since Thomas G:Son is one of the people the song and this might kill the chances since it’s not that good as Euphoria the winning esc-entry of Loreen, but you never know.
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: possibly

Gianluca Bezzina – Tomorrow
Now this is one of the pleasant surprises in this national selection in Malta. A fresh sound, a sympathic looking guy (who is a doctor by the way!) and a song that makes you feel happy. Probably not the winning song, but I am sure Gianluca will be ending much higher in the finals than many expect. Well done from a new face in the Malta Eurovision!
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: could be a surprise qualifier

Davinia Pace – Betrayed
A very different style again from this new singer in the festival. A clever composed song but I think way too difficult to get it from the first time so I fear that it will be lost in the other entries. Although you never know after the live performances.
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: very doubtfull

Ylenia Vella – Tides of Illusion
Now this is a difficult one to judge one. First of all I must say I like the style of music and Ylenia seems to be a very good singer with charisma. So until there all good things! However the song is so confusing, it has parts of many other songs in my opinion. I can hear Euphoria in but also the entry from Kati Wolf (Hungary 2011) and probably several others, meaning that the song is so not original. So the question.
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: very doubtfull

Raquela – Keep Believing
Well well well, a very surprising entry from Raquela who amazed the audience in 2011 with her ballad entry ‘If I could do it all again’ (reaching 5th place) and her 2009 entry ‘Crossroads’. No more ballads but a real clubsong for one of the best vocalists on the Island. I have somehow a double feeling. Loving the style and the song actually! The only doubt I have is that I really wonder is how this will sound and look on stage as people didn’t see the singer really before as a club singer. So either this will end up very high or quiet low. Goodluck anyhow and congratulations for the risky choice!
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: risky one here, all will depend on the live and a good stageact

Claudia Faniello – When it’s time
Claudia Faniello is one of the known faces in this years Maltese selection for Eurovision with the poprock ballad ‘When it’s time’. The singer has undergone a huge development over the years and is definately one of the artists that has the charisma and the vocals to represent her country with proud, no doubt about that! Last year she was runner-up with the magnificent ballad ‘Pure’, which is still considered by many people that this should have represented the country in Baku. We love Claudia a lot and hope she gets to the Eurovision stage soon, but When it’s time won’t likely do it as well as Pure as I has less power and impresses not that much than last years song. But still a very strong performance will most likely be given by Claudia, so let’s see for the final live performance.
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: possibly, but only because of Claudia’s charisma and vocals

Richard Edwards – Fall like Rome
The first tunes of ‘Fall like Rome’ make me think immediately on ‘Conquest of paradise’ by Vangelis, but then it turns into a real good popballad by Richard Edwards who was already taken victory back in 2011 when he ended second after Glen Vella (who did his utmost best though in Düsseldorf ending 11th in the semifinal and thus failing to qualify for the final). Richard is one of the singers in malta with a big charisma and great voice! I would be happy if he makes it to Eurovision and for sure he will be fighting till the end for a place in top-3, who knows even winning.
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: most likely

Deborah C – Love-O-Holic
Deborah C made it for the first time to Malta Eurovision last year alongside with Belgian singer Leila James (alias Liz Verbruggen) and the catchy song You make me go uh uh, qualifying for the finals. This year Deborah teamed up with Swedish people for the song Love-O-Holic. For sure this is the most commercial track in the festival which could be picked up by many radiostations across Europe. Let’s hope one thing that Deborah will perform the song live as good as possible in order to get a good placing in the finals!
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: can go both ways, depending on the live performance and how many other similar songs would be there in Sweden

Franklin Calleja – Let your heart talk
A new singer to the festival is 20-year old Franklin Calleja who recently won a talent show ‘Don’t stop me now’. Wow this is definitely one of the biggest surprises for many years in maltese industry: a great voice, a good charisma and a sympathic looking guy on which the audience can easily fall in love! There is no doubt that this guy will represent Malta soon at the Eurovision Songcontest! Will be this year? With all respect I have for the singer, I think this will be the year Franklin will learn a lot and get great experience in order to fly away to eurovision next year(s) for sure! The song is definitely a good ballad song, maybe slightly old-fashioned, but then again there is nothing wrong with it if the public and judges go for it. We will see. Goodluck Franklin and see you in the finals of Malta Eurovision!
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: risky, but if it qualifies than mostly thanx to the charisma and vocals of Franklin

Amber – In Control
One of the singer that is rumoured to be one of the artists pushed very hard by the broadcaster is Amber. The singer was already twice at the Malta Eurovision and was a backing singer for Kurt Calleja in Baku. Even she has sympathic looks, I must be very hard on this. I don’t like the song at all, it’s getting annoying quiet soon and the vocals of Amber are too sharp and not nice to hear too for 3 minutes. So sorry for the singer, but 2013 wont be the year of Amber. Better luck next year!
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: not in a million years

Dorothy Bezzina – Starting from the end
Well we have a brother-sister fight this year again. Dorothy is the sister of newcomer Gianlucca Bezzina. Dorothy has been earlier at the Malta Eurovision and is trying her luck this year with Starting from the end. Very sympathic singer and good vocals, but then again it’s not enough to win the festival. The song is quiet ok but somehow it misses something to stand out as it seems we have heard it already before. So interesting to hear Dorothy’s live performance
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: not a chance

Petra and Richard Edwards – Wonderful today
A ballad between two lovers how more beautiful could it be. Petra and Richard bring a midtempo ballad song Wonderful today. However for me it’s not wonderful today, it’s a song that will be lost between the others and Richards solo song Fall like Rome is so much stronger and more impressive. In my opinion PBS should have given the opportunity to another singer to step in. Sorry Petra and Richard this is a no from my side.
Chances to qualify to the Final in Malmö: not in a million years

Danica Muscat – Fantasy
Danica Muscat is one of these young singer that is building up steadily to her music career and wow what an impressive change she has been making in the last years. Still only 18 years old she has developed a great vocal and her song Fantasy will do most likely well and heading to the finals on 2nd February. Good effort and a name to keep in mind for the next years!
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: can go both ways

Klinsmann – The remedy
Klinsmann has already been taken part several times in the Malta Eurovision and you definitely see that this years composition is a very strong one composed by Philip Vella and Magnus Kaxe with lyrics from Gerard James Borg. You can see in the preview clip that Klinsmann is taking it very easy and it shows. I have the feeling this could be one of his best results at Malta Eurovision. We’ll see!
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: difficult but could be a surprise qualifier

Janice Debattista – Perfect Day
Has Thea Garrett returned to Eurovision? Ahhhh no it’s Janice Debattista, but on the first look she ressembles Thea quiet a lot. On the song now: it’s a quiet nice easy listening song sung pretty well (on cd) but it lacks that extra to stand out. However a great voice so you never know!
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: unlikely

Domenique – Too little too late
Domenique was already once in Malta Eurovision at a lead singer back in 2011 with a Ralph Siegel song which didn’t do very well. However the singer is returning now with a much stronger song to the festival. Too little too late is a very intimate song which could create the perfect atmosphere on stage and in the hall with the right props. However the singers power could be her charisma on stage and her way to perform the song. I’m sure many people can be captured by the track and somehow I have the feeling that the song will end up much higher then many think at this moment.
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: difficult one. This will depend on the atmosphere and intimacy created on stage and a good draw

Gianni Zammit – Us against the world
Gianni is reentering the festival after his Pedals on a rose got a pretty good result last year in the festival. However this years song is way weaker unfortunately and very easy to be forgotten. A too much cheesy lyrics, a melody that wont be remembered well and that would be a fiasco again for Malta at Eurovision. Gianni is a very sympathic guy, but sorry this is not the right song at its place.
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: not in a million years

Scar – Superstar
Scar is also back to the Eurovision stage in Malta with a poprock song. Although not my style I can really appreciate this song. Well brought and could appeal especially the young audience. It reminds me somehow to Sinplus, the 2012 Swiss entry. This will not win the festival but I can see it qualify for the finals on 2nd February.
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: unlikely

Corazon Mizzi – My stranger
Corazon is not a stranger to the festival either. Very sweet singer with a damn good voice, but such a pity she is given a very boring ballad which will surely be lost totally. The singer has too much potential to be given this standard of song, a big pity for Corazon. So hopefully she can return in 2014 with a much better song and sound.
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: not in a million years

Petra – No one home
Petra is also here as a solo-artist, next to her duet with her boyfriend Richard Edward. No one home is an easily listening song which could be perfect in a lounge bar late evening somehow. I don’t see it on a eurovision stage somehow, but one must say Petra can definitely sing well. And you never know there are always surprises in Eurovision.
Chances to qualify for the Final in Malmö: unlikely

Marilene Gauci – Overrated
Marilene just entered the final list for the festival after a withdrawal from Saskia Hunt. Overrated is her uptempo song and unfortunately for the singer and composer I believe too that the song is overrated. It’s really nothing special and is to be forgotten very quickly. Sorry Marilene, next time better!
Chances to qualify for the final in Malmö: highly unlikely