Re: AM Foreign World Cup: Round 1 - Northern Europe (Part 1)
Bracket 4.1.1
Arvo Pärt - Spiegel im Spiegel John Holm - Ett Enskilt Rum På Sabbatsberg
I like how the production and arrangements of the John Holm song have a laid-back feel to them, yet they are sophisticated enough to elevate the song way above mere background music (more so than the Arvo Pärt piece).
Re: AM Foreign World Cup: Round 1 - Northern Europe (Part 1)
Bracket 4.1.1
Arvo Pärt - Spiegel im Spiegel John Holm - Ett Enskilt Rum På Sabbatsberg
Two songs that give me goosebumps. John Holm wins by a few hairs. I didn't know this version though and the more polished album version remains my favorite.
Bracket 4.1.2
Eleanoora Rosenholm - Bolly Palkkionmetsästäjä Ebba Grön - Staten och kapitalet
I rarely listen to punk nowadays so I might not have liked "Staten och kapitalet" so much if I didn't already know it (it's my nomination). But as I wrote to Nicolas, this is is one of the most inspired performances I have ever heard.
Bracket 4.1.3
Jóhann Jóhannsson - How We Left Fordlandia
Hedningarna - Skampgreppet
Pass - I would need more time too choose between two such different songs (Hedningarna is in the lead but Johannsson could be a grower).
Bracket 4.1.4
Maria Kalaniemi & Aldargaz - Sofias Flykt (No YouTube video) Imperiet - Märk hur vår skugga
As Honorio said some of the members from Ebba Grön continued as Imperiet, now definitely more "rock" than "punk". Hands up if you heard that it is the same singer...! This song is a cover of an old Swedish folk song (from 1790) and not typical for Imperiet's style. Ebba Grön was Sweden's biggest punk band and Imperiet was probably even more commercially successful. I am not their biggest fan but these two songs are definitely among the best that Sweden has to offer. I love accordion and "Sofias flykt" is no exception, but "Märk hur vår skugga" is so powerful... I honestly thought everyone would be floored by it.
Re: AM Foreign World Cup: Round 1 - Northern Europe (Part 1)
The vote for bracket 4 is not over yet, anyone who hasn't voted yet can still vote!
Sweden definitely will have one song in the next round simply because there are two songs from Sweden in the same bracket for the current week. Also, I hope this won't cause your interest in this game to wane Henrik; you were quite unlucky this week with the match-ups.
Re: AM Foreign World Cup: Round 1 - Northern Europe (Part 1)
Don't worry, Stephan. Of course I will continue the game.
I hope I didn't need to say this but it is not a patriot thing. It just happens that these three Swedish songs are among my absolute favorites. I would gladly vote out "The Final Countdown" in another game...
(I love all the Swedish songs in the next round too. Great selections, guys!)