Nothing sums up the state of Euro-pop like the annual Eurovision Song Contest, and if this disc is any indication 2007 was a banner year for slick, hyper-produced, utterly disposable pop music. Held in Helsinki, Finland, the theme of that year's contest was "True Fantasy," which was essentially interpreted as trashy, epic, or trashy in epic proportions. On the extreme epic side of things stood the 2007 champion, Serbia's Marija Serifovic with the sultry ballad "Molitva." And on the trashy end of the spectrum stood songs ...
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Nothing sums up the state of Euro-pop like the annual Eurovision Song Contest, and if this disc is any indication 2007 was a banner year for slick, hyper-produced, utterly disposable pop music. Held in Helsinki, Finland, the theme of that year's contest was "True Fantasy," which was essentially interpreted as trashy, epic, or trashy in epic proportions. On the extreme epic side of things stood the 2007 champion, Serbia's Marija Serifovic with the sultry ballad "Molitva." And on the trashy end of the spectrum stood songs like Poland's "Time to Party" (a steamy dance number that wouldn't have been out of place on a Christina Aguilera album) and Belgium's "Love Power" (performed by the effervescent KMG's). But the real standout acts were those that masterfully combined sleaze with grandeur -- and if this had been the sole criterion for picking a winner, then Belarus' entry, the exquisitely swollen dance number "Work Your Magic," would have tied for first place with Switzerland's goth extravaganza "Vampires Are Alive." Alas, the latter song, for all its brass fanfare and camptastic lyrics ("Vampires are alive, and we'll be forever young!") never made its way out of the semifinals. But that's the beauty of this collection -- it's all-inclusive. Every song entered in the Eurovision competition is present here; no lackluster or oddball entry is left behind, which can add up to some interesting finds. France's entry, for instance, turns out to be breezy and natural-feeling (a quality that probably did them in); Les Fatals Picards' addictive blend of jangle pop and glitzy punk-pop, something like a cross between the Cardigans and Porno for Pyros, stood in stark contrast to many of the hulking, over-the-top acts at that year's ESC (Sweden's the Ark comes to mind). Stiff with hair spray, glitter, and drum machines, this disc offers an excellent overview of Eurovision 2007 in all its forgettable glory. ~ Margaret Reges, Rovi
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