The Pop World Cup: GROUP E

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Rumour and disarray stalk Group E in the Pop World Cup! The Italian boss has been under fire in the press for his team selection, and comes out fighting with a controversial choice. The American team had pledged to play in an upfront pop style with silky R'n'B touches, and the manager hotly denies rumours that his coaching sessions have been in any way indie. And as for the Czechs, their manager failed to register a team at all, and a scratch squad has been put together at the last minute by FIPA. All this has left the Ghanaian team scratching their heads, and they must secretly feel that this could be their year.

You can find all PWC entries here (EDIT: The USA track is labelled "Portugal" but it is the right track - sorry). If you can't download or are having trouble let me know either in the comments box or at freakytrigger@gmail.com.

So are here the four Group E contenders, with exclusive team talks from their managers.


Czech Republic

Ilona Csakova - "Tornero": A FIPA representative had this to say - "After the disappearance of the Czech manager and team, we have put together a scratch team of Czechs after a rapid P2P-based audition. All we know about Ilona is that she's been a solo star since 1992, that she had a starring role in the musical Hair, and that the hopes of a nation travel with her. FIPA will be interviewing for the post of full-time Czech manager in the comments box."

Ghana

Obour - "Atentenben": Manager julietk told us: "We're just pleased to be here, and playing our natural relaxed game. Too relaxed, some may say, but it's all part of the plan - chill the opposition out before revealing Obour's 'adventurous, daring and untouchable' nature. Apparently, his name means 'If you hit him with stick, run for your life because he would respond with a stone' so you can expect the emergence of an attacking game behind that hip-life groove.

He also runs a sports pub, a music production company, a charity supporting education for girls, a road safety campaign & soon to add a clothing line (see http://www.obour.com, or http://www.musicinghana.com/migsite/artist/index.php?artid=22 for a nice photo) - the multi-talented Ghana side is quietly confident of victory in the World Cup as well."

Italy

Convergence - "Strike The End": Under-fire gaffer boyofbadgers told us - "After the team's poor performance in the last finals, we have opted for a major change in tactics. Abandoning our traditional defensive, disco based style of play, we will instead be playing a faster, harder, more physical game, of a type more usually seen in the arenas of our Northern European and American cousins. Even though the previous groups have shown there are no longer any easy games at this level of competition, we feel confident that our passion, aggression and abrupt changes of pace will see us through to the next round."

USA

Smoosh - "Rad": Confident supremo alexmacpherson told us - "It is a well-known scientific FACT that a key ingredient of Great Pop is YOUTH. Smoosh back this up nicely. They are sisters Asya, 13, and Chloe, 11, and on 'Rad' Asya raps charmingly about how you should be a little happier and if you want to play then GO PLAY over insanely melodic electric piano. I am sure all Poptimists will take Smoosh to their hearts with no further prompting, but should you need further convincing here are some TEAM ANECDOTES: 1) While recording their album, relations between Chloe and the band's producer got so fractious that she had to be locked out of the studio, whereupon she scrawled "DO U WANT A FIGHT!" on a piece of paper and pressed it to the window; 2) They were once told by an over-excitable interviewer that they could be "as big as Led Zeppelin", to which they replied, "Is that big?"; 3) When I went to see them at Cargo a couple of months ago I got to the venue early to find them playing tag amidst all the bemused punters. CUTE!

PS: the referee informs me that the genre tags for this song have been unaccountably hit by a technical glitch, they should read 'Bubblegum Pop' or similar."


So how will matches be decided? HERE'S HOW.


You have 20 points to divide between the four teams, based on how much you enjoyed their tracks and on any other criteria you like.

No team can be given less than 1 point, no team can be given more than 10. If you fail to mark a team they will automatically get 5 points.

If that leaves a points total other than 20, or if you simply can't add up to 20, then the FIPA authorities will add or deduct points according to a highly complex system which can be explained in the pub by request.

Your votes should be in the following format:

"Czech Rep - 5. Ghana - 5. Italy - 5. USA - 5."

With the "5"s replaced by the points you allot to each team.

You can submit votes in one of two ways. In the poll below, or by email to freakytrigger@gmail.com if you can't vote in LJ polls. Any votes in the comments box will be disqualified. Voting closes at midnight GMT on Monday.

The top two tracks, decided on total points, will go through to the next round. In the event of a tie the votes from the first 10 ballots received will be used to determine positions.

[Poll #674164]



Initial match reports tomorrow! Get voting - and mind-gaming!

Comments

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

The Czech entry - thanks to dorsalstop for suggesting this singer - was literally the only thing I could find on slsk, except for something that never got past a queue and a band covering "Immigrant Song" at 32kbps. They seem an unmusical lot - they have never entered Eurovision! - and I think the managerial job is a poisoned chalice, but should they get through I'm happy to throw it open to any out-of-work managers out there.

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

I could always have a go at a BOSH version of Karel Fialka 'Hey Matthew' if they get through, things don't work out for Togo and we get desperate.

Actually I think I will do this anyway.

[braisedbywolves.livejournal.com]

ISTR awesomewells has first refusal, having missed the initial draw by minutes.

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Yeah, if he wants the Czech post it's his - meanwhile I think perhaps a little more loyalty to the plucky Togolese would be appropriate!

[(Anonymous)]

I would second the Czechs as being a relatively unmusical lot. I have some good stuff but it's about 15 years old, hardly seems fair.

Mitya
(No LJ account and can't be bothered.)

[thenipper.livejournal.com]

Could The Lex have chosen a MORE INDIE selection?!?!

[jeff-worrell.livejournal.com]

I rather doubt it. I mean, I love that Smoosh song to bits but I was like :-O

Re: Initial Reactions

[boyofbadgers.livejournal.com]

The USA showing their typical lack of understanding of the game there, marvellous.

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

12-yr-old girls can't be indie!

[graciousviv.livejournal.com]

It says Portugal instead of USA next to the download

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Oops, I'll sort it out tonight. The track is the right one though.

[catsgomiaow.livejournal.com]

1) What is SLSK I haf never heard of this and need it for RESEARCH PURPS obv!
2) On the server the USA entry is labelled as "Portugal" - just sayin like.

[marnameow.livejournal.com]

1) Soulseek, I wd guess.

Initial Reactions

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Czech Rep - they've mastered the basics though are still raw and their tactics can be predictable (that "whoa!" sound was last heard during the short reign of Timmy Mallett as England boss). But the team has gelled very quickly and may be able to spring a surprise.

Ghana - hopefully the random drug testers won't be sending this laidback but eye-catching team home. They look capable of putting on some skilful displays and my hunch is they have enough up front to get on the scoresheet.

Italy - a brutal physical game which won't gain them many friends among the neutrals but they'll hope to battle through this round and maybe display more of their undoubted range in the later stages. I fear though that this may be a gamble too far.

USA - you won't win anything with kids.

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

Czech Rep - a style that reminds me of the Polish effort. prefer this a little bit more but still feels lacking in midfield depth and spark up front. good effort under difficult circumstances though.

Ghana - quirky style might win them both fans and points, i think they may well ride their luck out here...

Italy - bitterly disappointing retrograde approach from the Italians for me i have to say. again we know what they're capable of but this falls way short of expectations - but then it's just not a style of play i really enjoy. quite ruthless but clumsy challenges - it's a miracle they have any players left when the whistle blows!

USA - stunning audacity but it pays off in an ultimately weak group. the perfect blend of luck, skill and shrewd tactics has, for me and for now, paid off.

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

i haf now voted.

i'm noticing the background vocal noises in the Ghanaian track more now. is that SNORING i hear at one point?

Plucked from obscurity

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

It's Ilona - eek!

Re: Plucked from obscurity

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

She sounds like an Mang.

SPAIN, FAMOUS FOR ITS HONESTY

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I'm not really blown away by any of these. España's team sheet on the other hand is looking riper than a three-day-old paella! So much to choose from, solid midfield beats or nimble attacking piano middle eights?

VIVA!

ROSWELL SAYS

[marnameow.livejournal.com]

Does the Italian track cut off too early*? It seems to just terminate mid-whinge.

*(Yes, I know, I am expecting a chorus of 'no, it goes on too long *already*'.)

Re: ROSWELL SAYS

[boyofbadgers.livejournal.com]

It's just a sharp edit mid segue into the next track.

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

We've already got enough marks to do the first match reports (though I won't until tomorrow) - good work poptimists!

OBOUR! ABUHWEY URA HOO HOO HOO!

[jeff-worrell.livejournal.com]

First thoughts:

Loving the Ghana track!

The Czechs didn't impress at first. The rather sombre opening reminded me more of their former Soviet-influenced past than their bright new Starbucks-on-every-corner future. Also too many nods to ABBA. As the track wore on though it began to add some interesting touches. But was that a done-to-death sped up "It Takes Two" ungh! woo! sample I heard in the background there? If so, minus points for that.

The Italy entry sounded like Nickelback! Not all the time, fortunately. Still, bit of a mess, what? For every two seconds that sounded grebt, there were 20 more that didn't.

See upthread re USA. Sure to get several points from me. But I still expect another favourite to fall at the first hurdle. Incidentally, "Rad" is far from typical of their album as a whole. I rather think a different Smoosh track might have had more across-the-poptimist-board appeal.

[mostlyconnect.livejournal.com]

It's going to be like Denmark in Euro 1992, isn't it? I'd be very up for steering the czechs to their inevitable triumph, if fresh managerial blood might be an advantage...

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Well, they have to get voted through this round first!