Talkon's correct. Moldova does have an impressive past when it comes to Eurovision (or at least their first contribution stands head and shoulders above the rest at least) as this, their debut performance in 2005 clearly demonstrates.
Boonika Bate Doba - translated as "Grandmama beats the drum"- is edgy and fresh and sufficiently different from anything else heard in the contest without alienating.
In fact, listening to this after a great deal of Europop makes me feel young, hip and trendy. Imagine the kudos at parties when people say "Who's your favourite band?" "Oh," I'd reply, "Zdob Si Zdub from Moldova. They're a fusion of hip-hop, rock and traditional Romanian music". People would be impressed, I'm certain of it.
The band, Zdob Si Zdub, had an impressive pedigree. Ten years playing together including tours all over eastern Europe as well as Germany and the Netherlands. This bunch were a real band and as a result looked like a real band on stage. It comes across in the performance, something which makes their sixth place in the final well-deserved.
Every now and again good stuff seaps through the Eurovision net. This is one of them. Love it. Zdob Si Zdub's website is pretty good too.
Final placing: 6/24
Final score: 148
2 comments:
Well, when I said Moldova alternates between good and bad years, I was probably referring to general consensus rather than my own opinion - especially when it comes to this one!
I don't deny that it was a fresh sound and a striking appearance for a country that few had really heard of before this Contest. And it was impossible not to love the granny, who seemed to drift through the week not really knowing what was going on at any point.
But given the choice between something like this and a more traditional Eurosong, I'm afraid this loses every time. I think it only really achieved sixth place through onstage gimmickry rather than musical merit.
However, for giving Moldova a foot in the door at the ESC, it deserves to be congratulated. Just not a favourite, that's all.
It just has a winning cheekiness about it - odd instruments, wacky intonation (go on, admit it, you love doing "blow yourself to bits" in your weirdest cod-Eastern European accent!) and of course Grandma who was last heard of speed dating with Croatia's 75 cents....
It remains my favourite Moldovan entry.
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