Eurovision 2012: Malta - more modern this year, well, ever-so-slightly.

After several years of quite serious ballads, many sung by the same person too, Malta has made an effort to modernise its entry for 2012. Some dj, two nerdy-looking guitarists and a couple of girls, one in sparkly pants playing drums standing up, possibly because the pants were too tight to sit down, add the youth background to the main guy, Kurt, who has probably been told to grow the beard to help with the image of Malta being ever-so-slightly young and rebellious this year. They got the ever-so-slightly bit right, I guess.

This is actually very straightforward stuff but it does have a catchy chorus with its yeah - ey - ey - ey- yeah bit which will no doubt get remembered by all those people in the voting lands more than some others so it ought to earn Malta a good number of mid-range points. Near the end you get the impression that the girl is going to join in and take some of the lead but she doesn't. It might have been better if she had, just for a bit of a change. In classic Eurovision style, this is instantly recognisable, you know where it's going and, apart from one odd stop and start, it's all pleasantly predictable.

Kurt will need to find a better fitting pair of trousers, though, on the night. Maybe he can borrow the drummer's.

Karmin - another one for the 2012 new sounds to watch selection

Another great new track. This one's from Karmin, who I thought must come from Ireland for some reason but actually hail from Boston. Not Boston, Lincs but Boston, New England, Massachusetts. Good pop and jazz and a little modern rap thrown in for good measure. Not sure about Amy's dancing in the rap breaks but nice to see a live band genuinely live here and this goes in the Hit selection of my 2012 Juke Box Jury. Whatever happened to that show?



It's just as well the States are excluded from Eurovision!

Eurovision 2012: Cyprus. Ivi Has All You Ever Wanted In A Disco Track

Whatever happens in May, you'll be hearing this as it's bound to be an enormous summer hit throughout Europe. One day the States will get it too but not just yet. We're talking Trance, JLS, Lady Gaga, short skirt, legs, Night Club and almost every hook and trick that can be thrown into a pop song. There's some annoying autotune and the otherwise lovely Ivi Adamou does have a slightly unnervingly large mouth but this is the track that should bring Cyprus douze points from nations other just the traditional UK. It's all good late 90s stuff and if Ivi performs well on the night this could be a winner.

Perhaps next time they record her for the official site they might try and persuade the audience to look a bit happier (getting some young people in there would be a good idea for a start) and someone needs to give the girl some ideas as to what to do with her legs which occasionally seem to be at odds with each other.

Eurovision 2012: Norway PR Director Vacancy

Now here's a performer that should guarantee Norway a few million votes from admiring young females, and no doubt plenty of males too I suppose. This is Eurovision, I must remind myself. Impossible good looks, a lot of gyrating, all the grasping-the-air and clenching-fist moves you can eat and a track that could have been a Wham 'B' side. All good stuff and this should see Norway in the points again this year. Well, it could if they can attend to a couple of things - they need to get rid of the extraordinarily ugly dancers or even the younger viewers will be put off and the name. I mean, Tooji! Good grief. C'mon Norway PR people, get your act together.

Eurovision 2012: Iceland Commercial

Iceland have been nothing if not original in many of their efforts in the past to get us all to Reyjavik one year so it is a bit of a surprise to find them with a commercial number for 2012. Nice violin and a strong pop ballad from two reasonably good-looking singers in smart evening dress. The blonde female sings and plays the violin which gets dumped somewhere as as she and the guy do the touch hands bit and get into gear for the build up at the end. It's just all a bit late, though. That was 2010 or 2011. Still, for all I know it could be the theme that 2012 voters like too so it stands an outside chance as things stand at the moment. Here's the live version at the show where they won the local competition. Sorry about the red flashes which I guess come from the trial software used by whoever published this.

Three New 2012 Tracks For A Change

It's not often I promote new bands but today a couple, Toy and Fixers have caught my attention, thanks to Digital Spy. One other too, St Etienne returning after many years' apparent absence. All three videos here for you to decide for yourself if we'll be hearing more of them. It's time the British charts got a bit more interesting!

Toy - Left Myself Behind



Think Cure and someone I can't put my finger on. I'll edit this when I do!


Fixers - Iron Deer Dream



I kept thinking Beach Boys. Quality music but not so sure about the artwork or theme.

St Etienne - Tonight



Familiar but welcome and very professional. Not sure if it's enough to get them noticed again in a big way but I like it.

It's The Whistle That Gets You: France's Eurovision Entry

If the French guy had mimed to the superb pre-release version last year then France may well have won. But he didn't so now they've switched from soaring operatic style to techno-ballad with a whistle. It's the whistle that gets you. Written by William Rousseau and Jean-Pierre Pilot, who wrote the current top spot in the French's charts, this is one to look out for. With a major tour set for the Spring, too, I get the feeling that France are determined to get the tourist business for 2013.