I dare to say not. It fit the Halloween theme by being dreary, frightening and scary all at the same time. Unfortunately so are all his other performances. Until he actually learns to use his angst as a driving force to heighten his performances he will always be dour.

I don't understand why music has to be to be "intense" and miserable to be good. What is wrong with a bit of life, happiness, maybe a little fun. Must we always be subjected to angst for credibility.

I don't think there was any angst in his performance last week? And watching him perform with Labyrinth showed that he can sing pretty much anything and is definitely up for a laugh. I like him.

You should check out a group called Abba, and the Nolan Sisters. Rolf harris would be a step to far.

On the other hand, Jon Anderson and Yes do some uplifting stuff.

Oh belt up! I listen to lots of different kinds of music, from Tori Amos and Rufus Wainwright to dance music to Britney. Music not does not need to be suicidal to be good.

And Abba are not that bad they are actually quite good.

Keep your cool, you know it was just a playful wind up.

Love Tori Amos myself.

Abba very catchy I grant you but then so is flu.

Just Youtubed his performance on Halloween, didnt like it at all - he turned the song into a slow dirge, and made the choir/backing singers do all the work for the second verse.

Exactly.

Of course they would, at least they can sing in a coherent style of pitch, whereas James tries beyond hard.

Felt Aiden was better than him, he had some good weeks (eg Mad World) where his intense style suited the song, yet Tulisa said "We never had anyone like you (James) on the show" or something like that
Think he overdid the makeup and guyliner

a-ha!! james FTW!!

You can dip anything in a vat of gunge, I suppose.

I'm never sure with him whether he thinks he is too cool for the X Factor but gets it can help him move on so reluctantly stands there and listens with no real reaction or whether he is a very awkward type of bloke, who can't deal with people being nice to his face. He always looks like he wants to just run! Saying that though, I like his vocals and he's one of my favs!

What I think it is about James he is not very confident and while people think he is not grateful for compliments deep down I would say he is. He just cannot accept a compliment.
Did you see his face when Labyrith (not sure of proper spelling) asked him to join him at his gig he was overwhelmed.
I also thought his performance was the best on Saturday night.
James will definitely go far in this competition.

Even Emilie Sande praised him for his performance last week

Again the judges have selective memories on these things. However both Aiden AND James are equally grating for me.

See that's how I see it too. I don't get how people think he's arrogant. He just comes across as he doesn't know how to take a compliment, especially not ones on the scale he's been getting. James strikes me as awkward more than cocky to be honest.

I think she meant white urban singer, like Ed Sheeran for example.

What is it he does for you?

Moody angst-ridden youth treating trivial things like it's the end of the world?

His is like Kevin the stropy teenager. All woe and self-pity.

Good news! It's something that everyone grow out of and feels really stupid for ever being that way.

You have assured me but I don't think James will ever get that far.

All he seems to do is slow good songs down to a snails pace whilst slinging his misery all over it along with random fliddy arm movements.

and it isn't just me, rest assured.

I think its hilarious that people pick at his looks. I didn't realise this was a secondary school playground.

'People only pick on you coz they're jelous.'

That's what my mum told me as a kid. Never realised how true it was

I dunno this guy, saw him perform once maybe and he bored the life out of me, but did see him on Xtra Factor last night sulking as Caroline and Olly discussed his supposed ladykilling playa waya before he leered a bit at Caroline.

Get real fattie, Plan B hasn't suddenly made pie eating miserablists cool you know.

Actually reminds me of Kurt Nielson, not sure if anyone remembers him, he won World Idol. It was all about his looks for Simon and the other judges, he then went on to out-sing Kelly Clarkson and Will young. Probably the best vocalist to come out of a talent show.

Kurt Neilsen did give a cracking performance of 'Beautiful Day'!