maj 2011 – Sida 4 – WelcheMusic.com

Stella Mwangi’s Norwegian Fiasco Makes Saade Nervous

CHART REFLECTION. There was little doubt about what would dominate headlines in Norway today. Stella Mwangi’s elimination from yesterday’s Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals was nothing but a fiasco. Her “Haba Haba” was one of the favourites and only two years ago, Alexander Rybak won a sensational victory with “Fairytale.”

Eric Saade on the Edge

Stella Mwangi was not only one of Nöjesbladet’s readers’ favourites, it was also Eric Saade’s. Now, he’s at loss as there’s no sure thing that his “Popular” will pass the test tomorrow evening. Earlier this week, Norwegian media claimed that Swedish entry was rubbish! Little did they know… Fædrelandsvennen says that this is not the end of the world, while many newspapers reports that the singer got some comfort from British boy-band Blue.

Stella Mwangi in Shock

In one of the biggest news dailies – Aftenbladet – Stella Mwangi admits that she’s in shock, but finds it hard to believe that she could have done much different. On a final note, the Kenya Stockholm blog notes that Stella Mwangi came to Norway at five, immigrating from Kenya. “Haba Haba” is about being inspired by a Kenyan grandmother.

Last evening’s contest also saw Turkey and Armenia leaving the contest, while Alexey Vorobyov easily made the final with his “Get You.”

Swede Rescues Alexey from Fiasco

CHART SPOTLIGHT. According to the leading Swedish news daily Aftonbladet, the song coach Kishti Tomita rescues Russia from fiasco in the Eurovision Song Contest.

The 23 year-old Alexey Vorobyov or Sparrow is a well-known movie star and artist in his native Russia. To WelcheMusic readers, he’s best known for being a potent threat to our own Eric Saade.

As, we’ve previously reported that the Vorobyov entry is written and produced by RedOne of Lady Gaga fame.

Alexey Vorobyov’s Team Nervous

Kishti Tomita, a previous juror on Idol in Sweden, will replace the backing singer Britta Bergström who unfortunately got urgent back pains only days before the contest. Kishti Tomita quickly needed to learn the routine and was able to attend rehearsals yesterday. Referred internally as “the heroine,” Kishti might well be the reason for Russia making the finals tomorrow evening.

The blog Music is the Door to the Soul refers to Vorobyov as the “Russian counterpart to Justin Bieber,” adding that his vocal abilities are far from impressive. Oikotimes published an interview with the Russian ESC star earlier this year.

Fleet Foxes Challenges Adele in the UK

CHART SPOTLIGHT. The folk band Fleet Foxes pose a serious threat to Adele’s reign atop the album chart in the UK. Fleet Foxes’ sophomore set Helplessness Blues vaults into No.2, ahead of Jennifer Lopez’ Love? (No.6) and Beastie Boys’ Hot Sauce Committee Pt.2 (No.9).

WelcheMusic covered Fleet Foxes earlier this year when it was announced that they will headline Gothenburg’s Way Out West festival this upcoming August.

Helplessnes Blues Online

Fans are treated to a bespoke Helplessness Blues web-site, featuring the possibilities to purchase the album digitally via iTunes, or on CD and vinyl via Amazon. Fleet Foxes is currently on tour and will embark on the European leg at the end of this month. The final date is set for 20/8 at the Green Man Festival at Brecon Beacons in the UK.

In the US, the set has currently bowed at No.13 on the Folk Albums chart and No.22 at the Tastemaker Albums chart (both via Billboard).

Positive Reviews

Bloggers around the world have embraced the new album with positive reviews. According to Luddite Stereo, “you may need to spend significant time questioning and even disliking Helplessness Blues before it reveals its gifts to you, but given that its creation is forever connected with human suffering, that price is only fitting.” The Crooked Timber blog gives it three bus stops up, while Stereogum claims the album is cooly uncool.

Eponymous Debut Album

Fleet Foxes eponymous debut set peaked at No.16 upon its release in 2008. It spent 23 weeks on the chart, finally dropping out in February 2009. Not a single-driven group, Fleet Foxes is yet to chart on the singles tally in Sweden.

Nicki Minaj Revives The Big Pink’s Dominos

CHART SPOTLIGHT. We absolutely love the new Nicki Minaj single “Girls Fall Like Dominoes.” Based on The Big Pink’s “Dominos,” the track is the sixth single off the rapper’s debut set Pink Friday. Another hit single is in the pipeline – “Where Dem Girls At,” a brand new David Guetta track which features Minaj and Flo Rida.

Hugely successful, the Pink Friday album features guests such as Eminem, Drake, will.iam and Kanye West. Last December WelceMusic reported on “Your Love,” one of the singles which sampled an Annie Lennox hit.

The music blog Digital Spy gave it a 4/5 rating saying that “less surprising is Queen Barbz’s use of hyperbole, sprinkled here over a boombastic beat and juttering synths courtesy of J-J-J-J.R Rotem, who confidently refreshes The Big Pink’s 2009 hit ‘Dominos’ to give it a youthful glean that would make Joan Rivers’s plastic surgeon proud.”

Quick guide to Nicki Minaj singles from Pink Friday, via Wikipedia:

Your Love
Right Thru Me
Roman’s Revenge
Did It On ‘Em
Moment 4 Life
Super Brass
Girls Fall Like Dominoes

Her most popular hit to date according to Last.fm is “Massive Attack,” her first single ever which was not included on her album.