Seán Ó Séaghdha

Marta Jandová & Václav Noid Bárta

Alex Saint

“She's So Fine”



Not revolutionary but not the most clichéd choice either

Tony Adams-Rosa

Kat Mahon

“Anybody Got a Shoulder”



I have many objections to this song, but one I feel I have to mention is the English. This sounds like one of those Eastern European entries where you forgive them their weird phrasing. I’m sorry Charlie, but you do not “cry a shoulder”. That’s not English.

Charlie McGettigan

Erika Selin

“Break Me Up”



Unfresh from her failure to win Swedish Idol 2009, and Melodifestivalen 2010 (or at least the failure of her song-she didn’t sing it), Erika launches a highly-calculated melodic missile packed with all the current Euroclichés at an unsuspecting Irish public. It even contains a GKC (gratuitous key change) for tradition’s sake.

Gustav Eurén, Niclas Arn, Dan Attlerud

Nikki Kavanagh

“Memories”



Starts with a yodel, which should be crime enough, but goes on to just sound shouty. This isn’t Nikki’s first offence. She also sang with the 1993 winner Niamh Kavanagh (relation?) in her entry at Oslo in 2010.

Lee Anna James, Elena Moroșanu, Simon Gribbe, Johnny Sanchez, Dimitri Stassos

Molly Sterling

“Playing with Numbers”



I don’t hate it

Molly Sterling, Greg French

1

82

Elhaida Dani

"Diell"
Sun



the usual emotional warble, though often flat…Celine Dion has much to answer for. gratuitous key change!

Aldo Shllaku (m)
Viola Trebicka & Sokol Marsi (l)

2

62

Bojken Lako Band

"Të ndjej"
I feel you



possibly a rocker neutered by an arranger?

Bojken Lako Band (m&l)

3

45

Lindita Halimi

"S'të fal"
I don't forgive you



Not sure I forgive her vocal gymnastics either. Did she forget part of her costume?

Zzap & Lindita Halimi (m)
Lindita Halimi (l)

4

31

Besiana Mehmeti & Shkodran Tolaj

"Kështjella"
The castle



slightly, but only slightly kooky. possibly better when in tune.

Adrian Hila (m)
Pandi Laço (l)

5

28

Marsela Çibukaj

"S'muj"
I can't



ambiguous hat

Olsa Toqi (m&l)

6

24

Gjergj Leka

"Himn"
Hymn



old-style ballad, old singer, child pianist, mobile cellist

Gjergj Leka (m)
Zhuljana Jorganxhi (l)

7

23

Rezarta Smaja

"Më rrëmbe"
Take me away



kaval player & flounce-powered dress but otherwise dull

Klodian Qafoku (m)
Floran Kondi (Dr. Flori) (l)

8

22

Mjellma Berisha

"Sot jetoj"
Today I live



‘rock’ & ‘dress’ 

Enis Mullaj (m&l)

9

20

Venera Lumani

"Dua të jetoj"
I want to live



piano intro. apparently living is important. gratuitous backing singer micro-operatic interludes. back of her top puts the ‘vent’ in conventional

Endrit Shani (m)
Gerald Xhari (Big Basta) (l)

10

18

Emi Bogdo

"Një femër"
A woman



piano intro’d power ballad…yawn. impressive sleeve awnings

Lambert Jorganxhi (m)
Florian Zyka (l)

11

15

Erga Halilaj

"Ti s'më njeh"
You don't know me



pianist

Kristi Popa (m)
Ronela Hajati (l)

12

12

Jozefina Simoni

"Mendje trazi"
Stirred mind



fluff dress

Bledar Sejko & Markeljan Kapedani (m)
Eda Sejko (l)

12

12

Enver Petrovci

"Të vranë bukuri"
Beauty they killed you



faux tramp chic? this man is a respected actor apparently

Enver Petrovci (m&l)

14

9

Altin Goci

"Rock për gjithë jetën"
Rock for all of eternity



Rock, but not as we know it Jim

Altin Goci (m)
Klodi Shehu (l)

15

3

Saimir Braho

"Kristal"
Crystal



rockin’…not! coming to an Albanian wedding reception near you!

Saimir Braho (m&l)

18

0

Klajdi Musabelliu

"Vetëm te ti besoj"
I only believe in you



yet another heartfelt piano intro leading into a copy of every Euroballad ever

Klajdi Musabelliu (m)
Jorgo Papingji (l)

18

0

Estela Brahimllari

"Kjo natë"
This night



almost sophisticated and yet dull

Edmond Veizaj (m&l)

18

0

Agim Poshka

"Në rrugën tonë"
In our street



piano, narration that’s poignant out the wazoo, modestly draped table, waistcoats & cap…a class act

Agim Poshka (m)
Olsa Poshka (l)

0

Enxhi & Xhejn Kumrija

"Njeri"
Human



Not inhuman. Not that interesting either despite contrasting hair(&clothing)styles.

Enxhi & Xhejn Kumrija (m)
Xhejn Kumrija (l)

0

Ana Gramo

"Në koma"
In a coma



a coma would be better than this…quieter at least

Genti Lako (m)
Ida Nurçe (l)

0

Grupi Aurora

"Maria"



this must be some new kind of torture technique

Gr. Aurora (m&l)

0

Kelly

"Nëse ti do"
If you want



look out Bruce Springsteen!

Kelly (m&l)

0

Grupi Offchestra

"Bajram"



slightly off, hip Balkan

Faruk Banjska (m)
Gr. Offchestra (l)

0

Florent Abrashi & Sigi Bastri

"Eklips mbi oqean"
Eclipse over the ocean



slightly awkward duet, not always in tune

Sokol Marsi (m)
Florent Abrashi (l)

0

Julian Gjojdeshi

"Himn jetës"
Hymn to life



horrible in a fairly unique way, gratuitous key changes worthy of Lloyd Weber

Vasil S. Tole (m)
Fatos Arapi (l)

0

Revolt Klan

"Më mungon"
I miss you



boy-band rap intro by two grown men in suits leads to (disappointing obvs) ballad

Bruno Pollogati (m)
Febi Shkurti (l)