I never said there aren't many albums out of this process. I was merely suggesting that the programme is an entertainment show and not really conducive to producing decent music in my opinion. Sure, you'll get the odd person with a bit of talent, but surely there are better ways for people to discover new music instead of being spoonfed on a Saturday night.

It's hardly recently that artists started writing their own material. Maybe it's just me but I prefer an artist with more than a marketable face and a commercial voice.

Yes, but people are stupid as the whole Brits boost/grammy boost shows. Sad thing is, it could be credible. It costs more for things to be vacuous. Ah well, my faves out of it are doing well, and make good stuff. You have to remember too, that most of the people in it (98%) haven't got a clue - Olly murs, 1D. They aren't business people or artists. You get the odd gem, but its a show full of average joes, and even then the gems get crushed by the public.

I mean recent on such a scale. It's a post 60s thing (beatles started it) but post 80s, it was really common, that's what I mean as recent. Not 2000s recent. Recent in terms of musical history. I don't like the Cheryl cole types either, and her success really irritates me. I like loads of stuff, UB40 to D'Angelo to Janelle Monae to M83 to a bit of Madonna. Commercial voice - you mean JLS, Olly murs...ie autotune is seriously needed?

I absolutely agree with.

Just as an aside...remember Hear'Say...the 'band' who had the fastest selling single ever...back in 2001? Where are they now? Hear'Say totally sum up all that is bad about reality, tv talent shows. They create a brief bit of noise, only to disappear as quickly as they arrived...like a firework.

For me, the decent singers (who are more than just one-hit-wonders) around during the last year have been Lady GaGa, Professor Green, Example and Caro Emerald.

Haha well we agree on the Cheryl Cole thing so that's something.

Oh Hear'Say, where did it all go wrong?

I'm not really interested in a lot of chart music in general so my list would be different to yours. I hasten to add this is not in a snobbish way, just my tastes veer me in a different direction. My list for 2011 would be Kate Bush, PJ Harvey and Laura Marling.

Examples a genuinely lovely bloke, he sang at my uni graduation ball a couple of years ago and sat with us in the bar beforehand chatting away and having a pint so I'm glad to see him doing well.

Musicians and singers have written music and songs since time and memorial. Yes there have been song writing teams...and that is fine...but the issue is when the likes of Leona, Same Difference and the rest take themselves so seriously...when really they shouldn't, in my view. They really are just 'karaoke singers'. In the interest of balance, there are 'karaoke singers' to who haven't gone the 'talent show' route...in my opinion.

I hadn't heard of Laura, so can't comment.

Look, millions enjoy the X Factor, which is fine, just don't take it to seriously because all it is is a money making scheme.

I'm not so serious about the show, merely the acts after it (the ones who I think have a shot and are different). I want them to make some money, sell some records, and ditch Syco after album one, as Alex did. Now she's writing on her new album...trying to be an artist of sorts. And I like that. She can sing, dance and wants to try and have longevity in the industry whilst building her career from a financial perspective before becoming international. She isn't a puppet, merely thrust wherever (hence the reason syco severed ties). Oh and for the record, I thought hear'say were crap

Aw, surely everyone has a soft spot for Pure And Simple......one of my guilty pleasures I think.

I like Kate's Running Up That Hill...showing my age now!

You met Example? Wow! My favourites are...Stay Awake and Watch The Sun Come Up. For me, what he does feels genuine, feels real. It doesn't feel contrived...etc...do you know what I mean? Same with GaGa, Madonna and Kylie...to be fair.

She Makes Me Wanna is a good pop song. I can't remember who wrote/produced it, but it really could have been recorded and released by anyone. It doesn't scream uniquely JLS at all in my opinion.

Hey ho, if we all liked the same stuff...

Yeah I met him, I was sat opposite him in our uni college beer garden and he said I had a nice dress, but sadly I didn't realise it was him at first. It was only afterwards when my friends pointed it out, I should've got an autograph or something. It was just before he broke properly into the mainstream, he was really good live.

Why are you so concerned about/care about Alex and co?

Being a dancer, wearing whatever make-up, clothes etc is irrelevant. If you are trying to be a credible singer, the only thing that is important is whether you can sing (I don't class shouting/belting as singing either)...and really sing.

The vast majority of the music I buy, I buy because I like the music/song/songs. The only singer I like, plus her music is Kylie. That is it.

Did he sing LIVE to an instrumental backing track?

I like her as a vocalist and always have, that's why. I got Spirit and Echo recently. But dancing is another aspect, she can sing her backside off anyway without belting. AH you're a casual purchaser rather than a full on fan.

If I remember correctly he had a band. Definitely remember a guy with a guitar anyway.

I only buy a song if I like it. I don't buy a song because it is sung by someone specific...that is madness. I bought She Makes Me Wanna because I like the track. Did I buy it because it was JLS? No. Would I buy a JLS album? Absolutely not.

Oh ok...so his songs had a more acoustic sound...rather than the clubby/dance sound he is now renowned for?

It still sounded quite dance orientated, it was all upbeat. But yeah, I didn't recognise his music this last year from what I'd seen of him. It was just before he released Kickstarts so he performed that one, the crowd went mental oriental for that.

I suspect he worked loads of pubs, clubs and Unis...and that is the way to do it. It is like building a house...first you create solid foundations and go from there. I am not surprised he has been successful as he has clearly done 'the hard graft'...supported by strong material.

It was a really hard gig for him because by the time he came onto the stage, everyone was hammered and just wandering around the grounds drinking and smoking. By the time he'd finished his set, everyone was inside dancing away. I was impressed, even though it's not usually something I'd listen to. Good on him for working hard.

Aaaah, this must be a wind up.....

Will Young never just hides behind a backing track.If you had seen him live you would know,he could sing without any music,listen to Golden Slumbers sng live on the Dermot O'Leary Show.

i am sure this topic used to be about olly and his brits performance at some point.

Some things are best forgotten.