semi-final 2 - Germany

1 A Million and One - written by Errol Rennalls and Stavros Ioannou
This is a very archetypal Lena song with that kind of talky feel to it. The backing music has more then a whiff of Kate Nash/Lily Allen about it. It seems to be quite a girly song. The verses are too long and chorus seems a little on the weak side but it does show off her upper range. The backing dancers are actually quite off-putting with their ballet-influenced dance.

2 Teenage Girls - written by Viktoria Hansen, Lili Tarkow-Reinisch and Yacine Azeggagh
This song starts off quite slow and quiet. However, the lyrics of this are far too playful and naughty and gets a little predictable (if not also offensive and rude). As the song goes I am waiting for the song to progress and get bigger but it doesn’t quite come. The chorus is a little weak with the do-do-do repetition. A very “Lena” song but would bomb at Eurovision.

3 Push Forward - written by Daniel Schaub and Pär Lammers
Another slow song for Lena that starts with a very simple ballad piano beat. This is a very simple, if not effective song. As the song goes on the backing grows the song gets more meaning. I feel that this song would favour a far more stronger vocalist. The chorus does not seem to suite Lena’s mockney accent. However there is a false ending which fools a few people!

4 At All - written by Aloe Blacc
Unfortunately this is no “I need a dollar –part 2” :o( This is another slowish jazzy track. The song does allow Lena to put a lot of performance into the look and sound of the song which makes it sound quite strong. She seems to be enjoying this song a lot. Once again this is a perfect Lena song but would get totally lost amid the hubbub of Eurovision.

5 A Good Day - written by Audra Mae, Todd Edgar Wright and Scott Simons
This is a slightly more up-tempos guitar based summery song. The song starts off quite Lena-ish but something feels a bit wrong. The tune of this song is all over the place. The chorus seems to yodel around from high to low notes and Lena hits a few bum notes during this part, which doesn’t help. This also makes the words to the song very hard to hear.

6 Mama Told Me - written by Stefan Raab and Lena Meyer-Landrut
A typical Raab arrangement with lots of brass in the backing music. The starts sound a little bit Motown/early disco and Lena’s dancing also put you in this frame of mind. Lena seems to be pushing her voice much more in this song (no favouritism I hope!!!)The chorus of this song is much catchier than anything we have heard this semi-final but is still no Eurovision song…

And the 3 songs through to the final on ARD next Friday are (in no particular order)… Push Forward, Mama Told Me and A Million And One.

semi-final 1 - Germany

Normally I would not do semi reviews but as this situation is quite unique I feel it is important.
Last year’s winner Lena is once again singing the German entry, however each semi she will be singing the selected songs which will be narrowed down for the final. I feel it is important I listen and review all the songs and see if I feel the same about the entries.

1 Good news - written by Audra Mae and Ferras Alqaisi
The song starts of quietly and builds slowly. The song has a kind of old fashioned 20/30s feel to it. It almost feels like it could do with being a little faster. Lena seems to be struggling with some of the lower notes. The tune is not really catchy enough for Eurovision.

2 Maybe – written by Daniel Schaub and Pär Lammers
This song is a little more like Lena’s style but the verses seem quite quick and garbled. The bridge section is far too low. The chorus is actually quite catchy and with some additional hand claps could be a catchy one! Lena looks a little lost and confused on stage and the dress really doesn’t suit her.

3 I like you – written by Rosi Golan and Johnny McDaid
Lena starts singing along with just an acoustic guitar. The song is much clearer to listen to and the harmony with the backing singers is very nice. I am not so sure about the simplicity of the chorus, it feels weak compared to the verses. However the set up of the song looks good. Not memorable enough for ESC.

4 That again – written by Stefan Raab
Another mid-tempo jazzy number. Lots of trumpets, drums and bass. Lena is strutting about on stage and seems to be enjoying this number. Once again the backing seems to loud and Lena’s vocals don’t sound too good. The verses build up but this isn’t followed through into the chorus. A bit strange.

5 Taken by a Stanger - Gus Seyffert, Nicole Morier and Monica Birkenes
This is more of a mysterious minimalist electropop-jazz style. It certainly sounds very interesting and engaging. She is also joined by 4 dancers who actually help sell the song. Lena seems to be getting into this. There is quite a long instrumental part which is a bit too long. Certainly not a archetypal Eurovision song but very interesting.

6 What happened to me - written by Lena Meyer-Landrut and Stefan Raab
Back to the mid-tempo jazz. Sounds like the opening sequence from a brand new comedy series. Lena is enjoying herself and is getting into the ‘acting’ of the song. Although it’s a perfectly good song that would be heard on many a radio station it is just a little bit predictable and that is not good.

The 3 songs through (in no particular order) are… Maybe, Taken By A Stranger and What Happened To Me