Review: Indigo Girls - Swamp Ophelia

 Hello!

 Just letting you know I reviewed Indigo Girls' album Swamp Ophelia for The Mancunion.

 I hope you enjoy my write-up.

 Liz x

Interview with Amy Ray

 Hello!

 It was great to interview Amy Ray of Indigo Girls for Now Then Manchester.

 We talk about the folk duo's upcoming UK tour, the secret to their long-lasting success, their solo projects, social media, writing advice and more.

 I hope you enjoy it!

 You can also read my review for The Mancunion of Indigo Girls' album Rites of Passage.

 Liz x

Eurovision 2017: The final, Big 5 and Ukraine

 Hello!

 I hope you enjoyed my posts on Eurovision 2017's first and second semi-finals. Now, time for the big night. 

 I'll share my thoughts on how the final progressed - the hosting, guest acts and voting - and on the six songs I have yet to review: those of the Big 5 countries (Italy, Spain, the UK, Germany and France) and the host, Ukraine.

 Enjoy!

 The opening

 The flag parade was enjoyable and well-done - there were a few parts early on where the audio seemed to be lost, but then they appeared to fix it. 

 The flag parade is one of the better recent Eurovision ideas, though I much prefer the kind of dynamic presentation we had tonight than if the acts were to just march around with flags. Hopefully the Eurovision powers that be can work on making the flag parade even more innovative while not losing its essence.

 The hosts 

 The hosts took a while to grow on me, and though I got used to them they just couldn't measure up to the wonderful Petra Mede, who I feel has set the bar for all Eurovision hosting from now on. 

 This year's trio were good at their job, and I salute them for that - the banter around promoting the Eurovision app was amusing - but they were missing that extra bit of charisma that made Petra so brilliant. 

 Skits and guests

 Talking of Swedish hosts, the montage with Måns was fairly awful - it was tired and cliched and went on for far too long. It could have maybe been improved by bringing Petra in - or maybe not. The concept just wasn't very funny.

 I also feel a little of Verka and her mother goes a long way, and considering how much of them we had in the semi-finals it did get a bit tiring. Jamala's "I Believe in U" was also dull - she performed a much better, more upbeat new song in a semi-final, which would have fitted better into the final.

 One thing I really liked was Ruslana's song. Graham Norton gently mocked it and described the performance as "zombies doing aerobics", which it did resemble a tiny bit... but it was good! The song was incredibly catchy and a great interval act. Ruslana really can entertain.

 The songs

 Time now for my thoughts on the songs of the Big 5 and Ukraine.

 1) Italy - My mother wants it to be known that she thinks Italy should have won. I think they had a decent, uptempo song, the sort of thing that could have won in the noughties when big pop numbers did well in the contest. 

 These days, fans seem to go for quirkier entries and Italy was lacking that je-ne-sais-quoi. The gorilla is interesting the first time you see it, but the novelty wears off. The dancing, however, is solid, as is the staging. The singer certainly performs with gusto.

 2) Spain - It was interesting living in Spain in the run-up to and during Eurovision. It became very clear that Spain's entry was not at all popular with its people; I heard it bemoaned in real life and on social media.

 I honestly don't find it that terrible. It is repetitive and the English lyrics are uninspired, but it is a summery, bouncy little tune. The background graphics at the contest were psychedelic to the point of being unwatchable at times. 

 The performance was pitchy but I don't agree with people who have suggested that the band didn't care about being there - I felt that they really did, underneath their cool wannabe-surfer image.

 3) The UK - When she was first chosen to represent us, I liked Lucie's vocals and performance and found the song decent but not a winner. With some work, though, and with the inspired staging, it became one of our best entries in recent years.

 Sending someone from a musical theatre background to Eurovision felt like one of the safer options - she was used to being onstage and singing live and nerves hopefully wouldn't be an issue. 

 They weren't - the final performance wasn't perfect, but it was very good. I was pleased with it. Maybe one day the UK will win Eurovision again.

 4) Germany - From the moment this began I thought - this is "Titanium"! The riff sounds like an exact copy. Luckily the melody is vaguely different, and as a song I like it. I just wish it were more individual. 

 I love Levina's voice, one of the best in this year's contest. She was confident without seeming cocky, and I felt I could just relax and enjoy the song. She reminds me of another artist - I can't think who. She is a bit like Robyn, but I think there is a better likeness out there. 

 This is the déjà-vu Eurovision - so many artists remind me of other people!

5) Ukraine - Graham Norton wasn't a fan of this! I found it to be a standard rock song - there is room for one or two in Eurovision each year, to change things up and give rock fans their moment.

 The giant head was scary - with its eyes beaming light it reminded me of both Undyne from the game Undertale, and deadmau5's headgear.

 The song seemed to be received well by the home crowd, and overall they did a good job. It wasn't amazing, but it wasn't as terrible as Graham suggested.

 6) France - France and Eurovision... They drift from getting it exactly right - Anggun, for example, in 2012, was great - to sending well-crafted but quiet songs that get drowned out, to choosing standard pop songs of a style that does well in France but which just isn't really Eurovision.

 This year's is an example of the third. It is the kind of thing that I can see being constantly on the radio in France, and is great to dance to. It just feels too slick and polished for Eurovision. Alma doesn't let go enough; doesn't lose herself in Eurovision passion and joy. The bland staging didn't do her any favours.

 It isn't a bad song, and Alma seemed really nice when interviewed. It just didn't hit the Eurovision mark.

 The voting 

 The voting struck me as less political this year, which was nice. The absence of Russia and Turkey may have played a part, as they are go-to twelve-pointers for certain countries - however, I like to think that maybe people really do want things to be more about the music. 

 The fact that Greece and Cyprus giving each other twelves got boos isn't something I approve of, but it does suggest that fans are growing tired of neighbourly voting.

 I also enjoyed seeing a number of past participants as spokespeople - it's nice to check in with them and see how they are doing. There was some (feeble) flirting from the hosts, which became somewhat tedious.

 Of course, we can't forget Élodie Gossuin and her singing! Apparently she told a French magazine she wouldn't sing this year, after her "whoo-hoo-hoo"-ing last year caused such a (pointless) fuss in France - but sing she did! I like her; she seems sweet and genuine.

 The winner

 The final countdown of the votes was dramatic - right up to the end I wondered whether Bulgaria might just do it. I preferred their performance to the Portuguese one, but there was something very special about the Sobral siblings' bond and they made a lovely team. Their final performance was a Eurovision moment to remember.

 With the O'G3NE sisters singing for their ill mother and the Sobrals working together to create something beautiful, there was a real feeling of family this year, and I loved that.

 Overall verdict

 I don't think that hosting-wise this was a particularly outstanding Eurovision, though it was far from terrible. The hosts weren't strong enough, and they relied too much on Verka for humour. 

 The music was pretty good, with stand-out songs from The Netherlands, Austria, Romania and Bulgaria. There were very few songs I disliked, and some of my original "meh" ones are growing on me with time.

 So, off we go to Portugal - they've never hosted Eurovision, so it should be something new and exciting. Here's to 2017!

 Feel free to check out my posts from last year's contest:

 First semi-final

 Second semi-final

 Big 5 and Sweden

 Final

 Thanks for sharing my Eurovision 2017 journey!

 Liz x

Eurovision 2017: The second semi-final

 Hello!

 I hope you enjoyed my blog post about Eurovision 2017's first semi-final. Here are my thoughts on the second.

1) Serbia - This was one that stuck in my head. It isn't amazing, but it's catchy in its own way. It has some cheesy lyrics - "High off the ground, I'm not coming down" - but is otherwise tolerable.

2) Austria - This was one of my stand-out songs from this semi. It is remarkable how through the lovely staging they managed to transform a fun folksy song with a mountain-y video into an epic Eurovision ballad. It reminds me of Frans's "If I Were Sorry" from last year: laid-back and adaptable.

3) F.Y.R Macedonia - This was another average song that managed to stick itself in my head. The singer looks a bit like Celine Dion but her voice and style are more like Madonna. 

 A lot of techno-themed staging would get too much, but one song's worth is okay and makes for an interesting change.

4) Malta - This one actually does sound like Celine Dion! I feel like this could be a very standard ballad sung by another person, but this singer lifts it with her personality and with her obvious passion for being there and for the song.

5) Romania - I thought this was just okay at first, but I'm coming to really like it. It is a great hybrid of rap and yodelling, bringing the two together effortlessly. It is nice and cheerful and utterly Eurovision.

6) The Netherlands - This was the stand-out song for me. The harmonies were perfect; very Wilson-Phillips. The song is lovely. It is by far the Eurovision entry I've listened to most this year. I've been really impressed by The Netherlands' entries the last few years.

7) Hungary - This isn't one of my favourites, but isn't bad, and I was caught by surprise when he burst out rapping. I liked the simple but colourful presentation.

8) Denmark - I found the song very ordinary, but the performance quite enthusiastic and fun.

9) Ireland - His voice really surprised me. The song is quite nice and the staging is minimal but works. The balloon is unusual and it all seems to tie together neatly. However, it is missing some Eurovision pizazz.

10) San Marino - Valentina again! Is she really the only singer in San Marino? Jimmie is a good complement for her, though, and the song is pure Eurovision: upbeat and catchy, with a colourful background, disco theme and great outfits. This should have had a chance.

11) Croatia - This was even odder this time around than when I first heard it - I don't think I had realised one guy was singing everything. Switching between pop and opera literally every line is really remarkable. 

 The song is quite pleasant but think it could be better staged, and he could have benefitted from making it more about the song and less about him.

12) Norway - I really didn't think much of this at first. My mother likes it, however, and it has grown on me slightly. Normally Norway turn out decent if not great songs, and this was a disappointment in comparison.

13) Switzerland - This reminds me a lot of the UK's song this year. It's passable. Some of the lyrics are cheesy to say the least. The yellow and purple theme is quirky and different but might get annoying after a while. This is another song my mother likes.

14) Belarus - I really enjoyed this at first. I still like it, but I think I'm losing my love for it. It is well-performed and I love hearing an own-language song. I just don't feel the song itself is as good as other folk songs we've heard on Eurovision recently.

15) Bulgaria - This was another surprising voice - it sounds older than a seventeen-year-old's. The song is an ear-worm and could easily be in the UK charts sung by Bieber or Mendes, though this guy's voice is perhaps superior to both. 

 I could do without the strobing and weird jerky camera effects, but both song and performance are very good.

16) Lithuania - This is a funny one because I like the verses but the chorus feels rather run-of-the-mill Euro-ballad-y. The singer is very intense, but if you like her style then the song can be quite an interesting journey to take with her.

17) Estonia - Another male-female duet from Estonia, and this wasn't as good for me as 2015's "Goodbye to Yesterday". It really reminds me of another dance track. I can't think which. 

 While it didn't live up to Estonia's track record, the song was pretty decent and well-performed. The guy's intense staring to the music was a bit much, however.

18) Israel - This was an average upbeat Eurovision song - he performed it okay, but the song itself wasn't very memorable.

My top ten (just in performance order): Austria, F.Y.R. Macedonia, Malta, Romania, The Netherlands, Ireland, San Marino, Croatia, Bulgaria, Estonia.

My top five (starting with the best): The Netherlands, Austria, Bulgaria, San Marino, Romania.

 Look out for my views on the final, coming soon!

 Feel free to check out my posts from last year's contest, too:

 First semi-final
 Second semi-final
 Big Five and Sweden
 Final

 Thanks for reading!

 Liz x

Eurovision 2017: The first semi-final

 Hello!

 I was studying in Spain during Eurovision this year, which allowed for a different and novel viewing experience. As I was super-busy preparing for exams I didn't have time to blog on the contest at the time, though I did live-tweet it.

 Now, back home in the UK, I have the luxury of watching the semi-finals in a more relaxed way and making notes of my thoughts on each song. I hope you enjoy them!

1) Sweden - I was never a fan of this song, but it is growing on me. They are a smooth outfit and seem very into what they're doing. It is an achievement to stay on the treadmills; I didn't notice them at first.

2) Georgia - A very standard Eurovision ballad, but a solid performance.

3) Australia - In Spain they were saying Isaiah looked like Rafa Nadal. I can see that, but he really reminds me of someone else too, and I can't think who. 

 Musically, he is like Tom Odell. I like his voice and style and the song is okay, but the staging could be better and showcase him more effectively.

4) Albania - A shaky start; they could have got into the song faster rather than leaving the singer to manage alone. When it gets going it is pretty good. Staging-wise, I like the clocks, but the flashing lights are unnecessary.

5) Belgium - I'm rather sick of hearing this song. I would probably have liked it otherwise, but it has been overplayed in the Eurovision world, and I think I might have heard it on the radio in Spain, too. 

 The staging is fine. Blanche's performance is good; she is clearly nervous but gets through it.

6) Montenegro - This was one of the more memorable performances when I first watched. I had been wondering if the braid was real until Scott Mills (commentating) declared that it is detachable.

 The song is okay; the singer lifted it to much more than it would have been. The whole thing felt quite Robbie Williams: a very confident number.

7) Finland - People in Spain and online were very surprised when this failed to get to the final. I like it: the staging and performance are understated, in a good way. 

 Funnily enough, just as I was listening to the song and she was singing "Blackbird, don't sing", I read someone on Facebook complaining about birds being noisy in their garden. Birds should sing when they want to! It's a good song.

8) Azerbaijan - At first I found this to be odd and shouty. Behind all the strangeness, however, it is a decent song and it is remarkable how she is able to keep singing, and singing very well, while doing all the actions, writing and climbing the ladder.

 It was undoubtably one of the most iconic performances this year.

9) Portugal - I never disliked this song, but I felt it was overrated. It is beginning to grow on me, though, and I will always welcome new styles, own languages and stripped-back performances on Eurovision.

10) Greece - This was a song that struck me as a solid one the first time around. I like the water theme; it makes a change from endless fire- and lightning-themed stagings.

 The singer is confident and looks like she is enjoying herself; my mother thinks she looks like Cobie Smulders.

11) Poland - The parade of sitcom stars continues with Penny from Big Bang representing Poland. This is one of the better ballads, though not amazing. Her voice is good and she is putting in a good performance. I like the constellation-y background.

12) Moldova - Is it just me or do the two non-sax guys look like Marcus Butler? The song is catchy and something a bit different. The set-up reminds me a lot of Bosnia and Herzegovina's legendary entry from 2008 by Laka.

13) Iceland - The singer's style, hair and the opening of the song made me think this would be an energetic, dance-y number. It turned out to be one of the best ballads of this year. She really owns the stage and is not overpowered by the song like many other ballad-singers; instead she controls it well.

14) Czech Republic - This stood out for me on my first viewing, and I was sad that it didn't get through. Her voice is not what I had expected to come out of her, and it is lovely.

 She reminds me a lot of the Venezuelan singer Georgina, who I mentioned in my "Songs from Salamanca" article.

 Overall, this was refreshingly different, and I liked it a lot.

15) Cyprus - This is actually a very good song musically and the staging is inventive, though all the white light can be a bit hard on the eyes. 

 I just can't completely connect to it personally, and as I tweeted at the time, I can't see why being someone's gravity would be a good thing.

16) Armenia - This had some great arm-ology, as Craig Revel Horwood would say. Overall, it was okay; not a stand-out number for me.

17) Slovenia - This is a real grower and has an epic, musical-theatre feel while also maintaining the time-tested Euro-ballad structure and spirit. The staging was nice and simple and I like his sparkly suit! 

 He handles the high parts well - it was an all-round solid song and performance.

18) Latvia - This isn't my style of music but they were certainly enthusiastic. I can't really bear all the trippy wannabe-trance stuff in the background - it is somewhat headache-inducing. My mother thinks this singer looks like Katy Perry.

 My top ten (just in performance order): Australia, Belgium, Finland, Azerbaijan, Portugal, Greece, Iceland, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Slovenia.

 My top five (starting with the best): Czech Republic, Iceland, Portugal, Slovenia, Greece.

 Overall, it was a decent semi-final and I did have trouble picking out my top ten. Keep an eye out for my write-up of the second one. I'll also be doing a post on the songs from the Big Five and Ukraine, so watch this space!

 I also blogged Eurovision last year, so check out my posts from then as well:

 First semi-final
 Second semi-final
 Big Five and Sweden
 Final

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x

Songs from Salamanca

 Hello!

 My feature on the songs of my Spanish summer has been published by Cuckoo Review. It includes tracks by Alan Parsons Project, Robin Gibb, Céline Dion, Roxy Music and more. I hope you enjoy it!

 If you would like to learn more about my time in Spain, check out my travel blog - the post where I first arrive in Salamanca can be found here and you can then go through the others in the Blog Archive on the left.

 I hope to share more articles and reviews on this blog soon, especially with the Eurovision season coming up!

 Hope you're well.

 Liz x

Review: Indigo Girls - Rites of Passage

 Hello!

 Just letting you know that my piece about Indigo Girls' 1992 album Rites of Passage has been published in The Mancunion.

 I hope you enjoy learning about this vibrant record.

 Liz x