Twenty Malta Eurosong entries will be battling it out on stage tonight at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre, Ta' Qali, hoping to represent the island in the Eurovision Song Contest in Norway. Who will be packing their bags to Oslo? Who has what it takes to lead Malta past the Eurovision's first hurdle?
01. Dorothy Bezzina - Moments
Christian: A well-crafted song with a promising singer, reminiscent of Leona Lewis and Celine Dion. Despite performing first, Dorothy stands a good chance of doing well. If only the song were slightly more contemporary or unique.
Ariadne: Haunting voice, touchy-feely song. She carries it well and the Eurovision ingredients are there but it's hardly original.
02. Foxy Federation - Fired Up
Christian: Malta's answer to Desperate Housewives? This is a catchy and entertaining song that stands out. But you would expect it to be sung by teenagers not grown women. And former Miss Malta, Claudia Calleja, does not have the best moves or vocals.
Ariadne: Very 1990s disco. It demands your attention with three striking girls and a catchy beat, but it leaves me wanting more. All fired up? Not exactly!
03. Lawrence Gray - Stories
Christian: It's good to have such a strong voice back in the competition but this sounds like a 1990s Meatloaf track without the required drama. It has a good climax but I fear Lawrence Gray might come second or third... yet again.
Ariadne: He's back from a long absence. Hard to fault his voice but it's dated. Will victory elude him again or will he get the sympathy vote?
04. Eleanor Spiteri - Velvet Ocean
Christian: Sweet and upbeat but not very memorable.
Ariadne: Young, fresh-faced singer with a sugary-sweet voice. It starts off nicely but it fails to move me in any way.
05. Claudia Faniello - Samsara
Christian: This has all the right ingredients for Eurovision - catchy and full of soul. It will definitely stand out and do well, probably going all the way. But if this song does win, it needs some very creative stage work to stand out in the actual Eurovision.
Ariadne: A bit too dramatic for my liking but Claudia puts in a lot of emotion. It's certainly original; a vibrant song that demands your attention. She could very well be packing her bags to Oslo, though I wonder how this will do on an international platform.
06. Thea - My Dream
Christian: The lyrics are predictable and boring but this ballad has a good build-up and a contemporary feel. Thea has a great voice and a good look. I think we'll be hearing more from her.
Ariadne: Unmemorable. Thea has great vocals and talent but it's just a song that fails to stir me.
07. Priscilla and Kurt - Waterfall
Christian: Strong voices, decent song but we've heard it all before and the singers do not have enough appeal to do well.
Ariadne: The voices are good but Kurt needs to loosen up a bit. I feel like I'm watching a musical rather than a Eurovision hopeful.
08. Nadine and Clifford Galea - Once In A Lifetime
Christian: Another duet almost identical to the one before. This one sounds more like something out of a Disney movie. Nadine is a refined singer but I feel Clifford holds her back. His voice is not as strong.
Ariadne: I don't think this song exploits Nadine's voice. Am not sure the duo is well paired. Unoriginal tune and I'm not expecting this to stir many voters.
09. Glenn Vella - Just A Little More Love
Christian: It is not clear if this is a Michael Jackson tribute or a parody. Although Glenn is a talented singer with a good attitude, this song is just awkward.
Ariadne: This is certainly 1980s Michael Jackson - all he needs is a sequined white glove! He's got confidence and moves well. How far it will go is anybody's guess.
10. Audrey Marie - Good Intentions
Christian: It would have been good in a musical but this number lacks the Eurovision quality. Let's just say it had good intentions...
Ariadne: Certainly different. A female version of J. Anvil, without his oomph.
11. Klinsmann - Her Name Was Anne
Christian: Klinsmann has a great look and a good stage personality but his songs seem to be getting blander by the year. Perhaps it's because this style of music is already passé.
Ariadne: Klinsmann is trying to re-capture the ingredients of the performance that placed him third in 2007. Cool dude and good presence but he's overused this genre now.
12. Claire Galea - Ole Satchmo Blues
Christian: Possibly the most sophisticated and creative song of the competition, this will stand out because of its jazzy quality. When the choir sounds kick in, it finally takes on a Eurovision feel but there needs to be more work on stage set up and the singer's styling.
Ariadne: A breath of fresh air. She has poise and I like this song but jazz never seems to go down well with the local Eurosong audience.
13. Wayne Micallef - Save A Life
Christian: Not the most original song in the world but this is a good effort that should make it to the radio. It is refreshingly contemporary but sounds too much like something out of Gray's Anatomy.
Ariadne: Fails to stand out in any way. Predictable fare, though his voice has potential.
14. Petra - All I need
Christian: Another catchy radio-friendly song but it is no Eurovision winner. That being said, Petra and her songwriters have enormous potential for the future.
Ariadne: Am reaching the end and I'm starting to hear too many songs that leave me without any words to describe them. Her voice is good and she's got soul but she's going to need more than these attributes
15. Ryan Dale and Duminka - One 4 You
Christian: A charming song with a lot of enthusiasm but it lacks the necessary punch. Unfortunately, the Duminka puppet known for her "sex appeal" was not used to her full potential.
Ariadne: Endearingly young but haven't we seen puppets on stage before? I think the act falls flat.
16. Eleanor Cassar - Choices
Christian: Another dramatic rock song from Eleanor. Her 1980s Tina Turner style is always popular but never popular enough and I fear this year will be no different.
Ariadne: Eleanor fits the rock chick image well. The song's passé, albeit different from the rest! Cannot fault her enthusiasm but she may have to try again next year.
17. Silverclash - Broken
Christian: With pretty faces but weak voices, these girls remind me of Girls Aloud. But, worse than that, the song's construction is very poor and there is nothing memorable about it except for the cute but clichéd rap interlude.
Ariadne: Attractive duo but they need to polish up their act. This won't go far.
18. Tiziana - Words Are Not Enough
Christian: Her voice is quite strong and the song is not the least catchy in the world but it won't go very far, partly because the singer has a scary look in her eyes.
Ariadne: This song has an identity crisis and fails to sweep me off my feet. Poor production.
19. Ruth Portelli - Three Little Words
Christian: A romantic ballad stuck in a time warp.
Ariadne: Gentle and romantic but we've heard it all before.
20.Pamela - Hold On
Christian: Pamela, hold on... Powerful voice. It starts out great but fails to reach a climax.
Ariadne: Her voice certainly hits the right notes; one of the best in the competition. She has confidence and the song will get points but will it be enough to get her to the very top? I don't think so.