Eurovision: Destination - Copenhagen 2014 (III)

Here are my comments for two more countries.

Iceland and  Pollapönk 

People, I think we've found the 2014 entry joke - a performance not to laught of sadness but of craziness - . In my oppinion Iceland had been placed in an unfair place many times in the last years, especially from the juries, but I can't defend Iceland this year.

The group's clothes remember me the crazzy groups sent to this Contest in the 80's and 90's. And if that time, they are a little crazy but fun, send that type of song in the 21st century is a big risk, and so far it seems a bad decision: it's too weird and difficult to listen more than one time. I can hardly find a good thing on this song and performance.
As for the other song that went to the superfinal but came 2nd, Sigríður Eyrún Friðriksdóttir with the song "Up and Away" could be certainly a better choice, even though it's also very far away from what I'm used to see from the. At least the 2nd ranked gives us a good feeling and certainly could attract more the audience. And of course the voice of the singer is more secure and powerful than the winners'. Probably the reason for the Pollapönk win was the fact that in the superfinal only the votes from the public counted.
I usually can give examples of what the performers can do on stage to increase or maintain the chances to go to the Grand Final. But in the icelandic case this year... I only can say that the singers need to improve their vocal apparatus.
Fortunately Iceland will participate in the semifinal I, where will vote Denmark, Sweden and Portugal that are among the countries that usually give more points to this country. However this year Iceland will need more than political vote... especially because I think that the juries will not find the fun on this entry joke.

Malta and firelight

Malta definetly surprised me last year. It was one of the countries that benefited more with the new voting system. And it seems that Malt chose to stay in the same style this year. The style can be the same, but the song is a little far away from last year's in terms of quality. I like the group's style, especially the use of the tradtional elements. And in vocal terms there's nothing especially to point.
At least it was better than the 2nd ranked (the singer De Bee with the song "Pin The Middle") and the 3rd ranked (Daniel Testa with the song "One Last Ride" who represented Malta at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2008). The song has a good message, something that Malta is getting us used to it, since 2011. Unfortunately it's the only thing that stands out in this song. Is unlikely to reach the final,and even more unlikely achieve the same result as last year.
Malta will compete in the second semifinal. The countries voting in this semifinal that usually give points to Malta is only the United Kingdom. It seems that if Malta wants to have a place in the grand final they need to improve a lot their performance comparing with the national final.