What
is it about these Euro-virgins? Is it because they're fresh, willing,
naive, innocent? Not ground down by the commercialisation of being watched
by millions one night, only to stoop to local bar karaoke/topless dancing
the next? Is it because they try that little bit harder, encumbered as
they are with a bill at the end of the contest that triples their national
debt?
Whatever the reason is, bless 'em, because Armenia have arrived with
an agreeable slice of ethno-pop-pap which is exactly what you want. Unfortunately
for them Andre has to open proceedings (that is, after the inevitable
brash pain that is Helena), and this goes a way to explain why my prediction
machine suggests this will miss out on a final place, but I'm still not
completely convinced this is the case.
Matt Bianco-attired Andre does cut a sort of dash which should go down
well in the hall. I also feel I have to raise special mention for the
well-put together video for this song, which contains an early contender
for the most ridiculous imagery award. It starts out with hail on a staircase
(fair enough, it can happen), then there's a woman holding a fish (not
quite sure what that means), then there's poltergeists opening and closing
drawers, topped off by a pile of burning pomegranates.
Now by all accounts Andre has received death threats recently because
his song has been deemed "too Western" for some Armenian sensibilities,
but I have to say that to date I've never before come across burning pomegranates,
nor young woman in chiffon holding fish on the BBC (mind you, I wouldn't
put it past Channel 5). And I'm sure you'll agree that singing three minutes
of inconsequential pop to an audience too pissed to care, is reason enough
to risk your life. Good luck Andre. |