2 posts tagged “finnish idol”

The seven finalists have now been picked so I feel like I can write pre-final opinions about everyone!

The first finalist chosen from the semifinals by the public was Panu Larnos (the pics are in the order I'll talk about them). Out of the finalists he's my least favourite because he's the cute boyband type of guy who's also the least likely to record the kind of music I'd listen to. However, he seems to be very down-to-earth and a 'good guy' in every way, so it's not like him being my least favourite means I dislike him. His singing is ok, but to be honest, I didn't pay a lot of attention to his semifinal performance because it was the kind of music I never listen to (like a boyband ballad), so I hope the different themes in the finals will give him an opportunity to show he's not tied to just one genre.

Kristiina Brask was the second finalist chosen. I think what sets her apart from the other female finalists is that Kristiina's singing is tender and sweet, not as 'powerful' (or should I say loud) as the other girls'. Her voice is unique and absolutely brilliant for songs that aren't meant for belting out. I'm afraid her success in Idols will depend on the themes the finalists are given unless she's able to always pick a song that works for her voice. She's the only girl whose very first audition made me listen silently like "whoa, I don't hear a voice like that every day", so I guess because of that she is now my favourite female in the finals.

'The Kirka Boy' (my nickname for him on IRC) Ari Koivunen was the 3rd to pass the semifinal round. If Kristiina is the only girl who made me really listen in the auditions, Ari is the only guy. His voice is both unique and strong. Besides that he has a hilarious personality. I'd like to keep him around long because I'm quite sure he'd be able to entertain the audience both singing and backstage. He's not the best looking guy around (well, my mom mistook him for a girl at first), but his charisma is still so strong that there are girls out there calling him a cutie. Now how awesome is that?


The fourth one to make it to the finals was Johanna Hämäläinen. She's someone I hadn't paid a lot of attention to before the semifinals, but her performance was so strong that it evoke emotion even in me. Heck, I even cried after the performance and that is something that has never happened before when I've watched Idols - but to be fair, it was shortly after I had heard that my grandpa's going to pass away soon, so maybe the fact she dedicated the performance to a friend of hers who's no longer around affected that. Anyway, her voice has a very nice 'dark' tone to it... I don't really know how to describe it, but her voice is strong and beautiful, and I'm very curious to hear how it will work in different kinds of songs in the finals.

Kristian Meurman was the 5th finalist chosen. I think his semifinal performance surprised a lot of people, since not only did he sing well, but he also lived the song with his expressions, movements, everything. (Before the semifinals he had seemed a little bit awkward to me, even shy.) I really like this guy and look forward to his performances in the future. According to his own words he still has a lot to show. I know, everyone says that, but something makes me believe it when it's Kristian saying it.

Anna Abreu is someone I guess everyone could expect to see in the finals after just seeing her audition. She's VERY cute and pretty, has a bright, cheerful personality and a strong voice that fits R&B music. A voice like that is somewhat rare in Finnish music scene. But even if I can see how she has the looks and talent to be a pop idol, I keep thinking that she's not ready yet. I know I'm one of the minority to be disappointed in her semifinals performance, but what I didn't like about it that from the very beginning... It sounded like she was shouting. It would be very nice if she could learn more subtle singing, too, because she can't just shout throughout every song she sings (well, her fans might forgive that, but I won't and will hold on to my right to whine about it). Anyway, not really hating on her or anything, I'm just annoyed the judges never criticized her for the shouting even if it was obvious.

Well, Anna Abreu was the last finalist chosen by the public. The 7th and last finalist, Mia Permanto, was chosen by the judges as a wild card (she was a tough opponent to Kristiina in the second semifinalist group). She's someone who has stood out during the whole season of Idols with her hyper personality, but also lots of crying. She's a good singer, but I guess what people are really expecting to see more is her spunky personality on stage. The reason she lost to Kristiina was probably that her performance in the semifinals really lacked all the energy that she had become known for. We'll see if she's able to capture everyone's hearts again.

So, if that was all the finalists, who's in the last picture??

It's Milja who made it to the semifinal round, but didn't do well in the public vote (I voted her 3 times, though). She would be my 'wild card' because out of all the Idols candidates I think she's the only one who might actually make the kind of music I'd buy and listen to. I loved Hanna Pakarinen (the winner of 1st Idols season), but I haven't listened to her music since the show ended, and I doubt I'd buy anyone else's music, either... But Milja has this alternative thing going on and I love alternative. Yeah don't let all the Hello!Project talk fool you, I listen to other types of music, too. In addition Milja seems to be very focused on starting a career in music, she writes her own songs and you can find her covers of some songs by searching 'maijapop' on Youtube. She's only 17(?) so it might take a while until she actually gets to record (who knows really), but I'm sure that unless she suddenly dies or loses her hearing, she'll one day make it to music business on her own. And I will really want to check out her music.

Well, in sum I'd have to say that the finalists this time are much better than last time because I actually really like them. I'm somewhat sure that this time the winner won't be a mediocre singer like Ilkka Jääskeläinen (lol I hope none of his fangirls will read this), so that makes me expect great things from the finals this year. Can't wait to see the next episode.