THE NETHERLANDS

The Dutch song was performed for the first time on March 11th during the TV show "De Wereld Draait Door". Back in November the broadcaster TrosAvros announced they had internally selected the singers Ilse DeLange and Waylon, performing as The Common Linnets, to represent the country at Eurovision. The song they will be singing is "Calm after the storm".

I watched the presentation via the BVN satellite channel. As well as singing their song they also had a   long interview regarding Eurovision and the success of last year's entrant, Anouk. The performance was billed as an 'acoustic version' of their Eurovision entry. the next day the recorded version on the song was aired for the first time and in fact the acoustic version was not a million miles away from their 'full blast entry'.

The presentation of the song took place in on a very small stage with no special lighting or effects, only a video screen above the showing sky and clouds. The duo both played guitars but also had a band behind the which was playing live. They were both dressed quite conservatively in black with Waylon also wearing a hat which a) didn't suit him and b) shadowed his face badly.

The song is a quiet, country style ballad with a slightly sinister edge. Both singers sing the whole song but they sing in harmony with each other which sounds really nice and shows how good they are as a duo. There is no doubt that both Ilse and Waylon are seasoned performers and were able to cope with singing with a live band - something they won't have to deal with on the Eurovision stage. On further listens it sounds quite similar to "Every step you take".

This is a very different kind of entry in a style not really seen before, which I think is the least of their problems. First of all the song has no rise and fall no peaks and troughs - it literally goes nowhere. From that perspective some may see it as a bit of a tuneless dirge or a song that goes on and on and on. Secondly the title of the song is not prominent at all, coming at the end of a phrase that is really low in both of their registers. It also won't led itself to a very active performance.

Initially I though the song was awful, however after a few listens if really gets into your system, however most Eurovision viewers won't have this luxury. Unfortunately this is a really big disappointment. In a year where they are lot of songs that have a country twang or leaning, this is one of the worst. And after the Netherlands FINALLY qualified last year I think many euro fans had hopes raised, only to have them dashed with this song. This is an almost certain non-qualifier.

Artist - The Common Linnets

Song - Calm after the storm

Music - Ilse DeLange, Waylon

Lyrics - Ilse DeLange, Waylon

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