Eurosunday: I've Deciphered the Code

Today's Eurosunday contains the bottom third of the top 15. That may not seem a very significant number, but it's right about the point where I can call the songs listed some of my favorites. The last two years these spots have resulted in mixed scores – each year two end up in the top 5 and the other three end up at the bottom of the final or never make it there. As this is the group of rankings with the most stable actual performance, I'm a little tempted to pick 2 songs that I think will do well and 3 songs that I won't be upset with if they don't do well, but I've tried not to do that this time.

15. Malta
Morena – Vodka
Reaction: "Vodka" feels like a pop spy thriller, and not just for the lyrics. The driving beat of the lyrics feels like you're on a chase. The chorus and instrumental parts are bouncy and fun. Like the title implies, it leaves you with a bit of a buzz.
Best Part: Chorus
Rating: 4/5

14. Belarus
Ruslan Alehno – Hasta la vista
Reaction: "Work Your Magic" was my #1 pick last year, so of course I love this year's take on a young man from Belarus singing some camp tune. At the beginning of the year this was easily one of my top three songs, when it was disco. Some weeks later it was reworked to have a rock sound, presumably to be more like "Work Your Magic," and it seems that it's taking itself more seriously yet is still over-the-top enough to enjoy for that fact. It's great song, but somewhere along the line you realize that you're listening to a copy of a copy of Dima Bilan, and why listen to a copy when the real thing is in the same contest?
Best part: "I'm gonna miss you/Maybe"
Rating: 4/5

13. Armenia
Sirusho – Qele qele
Reaction: This song starts out sounding very traditional, and then swiftly turns into an ethnic dance song with strings and drums. It's comparable, maybe, to "My Number One" in this area. It combines local flavor with a drum beat to create what should be a dance floor hit.
Best Part: "Qeeeele" in the chorus
Rating: 4/5

12. Portugal
Vania Fernandes – Senhora do Mar
Reaction: This song starts off with the sound of waves and accordions, and grows more intense as it goes on. It's a bit like this year's "Rijeka bez imena", and not only because they both mention bodies of water. It starts off subtle and as the song goes on the backing instruments and vocals get louder. It's a Western answer to Balkan ballads, a challenger ready to aim for their success in the contest.
Best Part: Ending
Rating: 4/5

11. Serbia
Jelena Tomasevic – Oro
Reaction: In the Serbian national final, I was hoping for "Zavet" (which could be called "Molitva 2: Return of the Backup Singers") to win, but my second favorite was this one. Simply put, it's "Lane Moje 3". There's nothing wrong with that (unless you have problems with the writer of an entry hosting the show). Its strong strings and vocals keep this ballad from being one that puts you to sleep.
Best Part: "Nu na nej" chorus
Rating: 4/5

Next week I'll have my top 6-10. Will there be surprises? Probably not. Will I successfully defend my choices and taste? Hopefully.