It's Wednesday and it's time to read what Schlagerprofilera and Tobbe Ek think about 3rd semifinal of Melodifestivalen-2011.
Linda Sundblad - "Lucky You" - radio-friendly gutar-pop in Miley Cyrus style (with Linda's voice making it a bit Agua but without plastic sound), very light and not easy to keep in mind long time. Middle-eight contains "Hollow" heartbeat. Difficult to see it in top.
Simon Forsberg - "Tid att andas" - classic schlager-ballad sounding a bit dated and reminding MF-ballads of Sonya, Shirley and Erik Linder but it grows more interesting and chorus sounds powerful. In the end we get a loud choir that in a whole pack is gonna give goosebumps if Simon will manage to sing everything on a high level or go to bottom if public will get it like new Erik Linder.
Sara Lumholdt - "Enemy" - modern midtempo slightly breathing with 90s but sounding very fresh with good production, string "You're the enemy, enemy, enemy" sticks very well. You can get it as mix of Rihanna and Evanescence but it needs great attitude and performance.
The Playtones - "The King" - exactly that sort of music you could expect from The Playtones. On one hand it sounds a bit Rednex, on the other hand it's like soundtrack to Batman with strong chorus given to any of Dansbandskampen-bands. Fans of this style will be very pleased.
Shirley's Angels - "I Thought It Was Forever" - midtempo starting from Bond's melodics (sort of Ace Of Base' "The Juvenile") going to something like Barbara Streisand's "No more tears" (also comparison with Enrique Iglesias' "Could I Have This Kiss Forever". Nice production, catchy and strong chorus making whole pack candidate for schlagerfans favorite and modern try to make new "Min Kärlek". Can go road either of Sanna or Bettan.
Sebastian - "No One Else Could" - more powerful and positive uptempo comparing with previous Sebastian entry that reminds earlier music of Melody Club and sometimes The Killers, anonymous verses but strong chorus with wistling line. However it needs really good performance.
Sara Varga - "Spring för livet" - soft voice and vibratto in singer-songwriter pop in Lisa Ekdahl style and bossa nova rhythm sounds like nothing in this semifinal and can surprise by result. Touching lyrics about person who has hurt partner really works.
Eric Saade - "Popular" - so obvious finalist that Eric can even not to come to Linköping. It's stronger than "Manboy" and not so direct, though Eric sings "Popular" not less times than he sang "Manboy". This modern Kempe-pop track starts with Boney M's "Rasputin" beat but you can catch a lot of 80s melodics in it (close to Lili & Susie's "Oh Mama"). So Erik feels like real Danny's rival for the win in the final.
As bonuses take cover of Anniela's single that still keeps in iTunes Top-10 with Christian Walz. And schlager-training video with Simon Forsberg and Anders Fernette here.
Also now it's known who will sing winning song of last year and it's rock-band Dynazty - project of Peter Stormare. A bit weird that they've chosen another hardrock-band after last year Casablanca making "La Voix" but hope Dynazty will make it completely different.
