You're clearly articulate and literate so I'm not sure why you can't read my post, but I guess you have your reasons.

James might have a better voice and a better range but that's open to opinion. Like Aiden, he sometimes lets his intensity cloud the actual tune of the song. Unlike Aiden, he's a whole six years older than Aiden was when he was on the show so you'd expect him to be a bit more vocally steady, but I don't think he is to such an extent that it's obvious. Having seen Aiden live a couple of times this year, I'd say his voice and range have improved a hell of a lot. But he's been gigging steadily and recording loads, so that's expected.

A more superior musician? In what way? Aiden plays the piano and guitar proficiently and has been writing music for years. It's not Aiden's fault he was on in a year when no contestants played their own instruments. More versatile? Aiden's first audition saw him performing a rap song, he was then pigeon-holed by the producers into doing 'intense' songs, but the only performance of James I've seen where he's genuinely broken the mould is Let's Get It On. Other than that, I'd say he's been pretty pigeon-holed each week too. I don't even know where to start on stage presence. Surely you realise that's entirely subjective? For my money, James has never commanded the stage like Aiden did during Mad World.

I'm afraid the issue I have with your argument is that you're basing it on James on the show (I assume) and, to be honest, the way you're generalising Aiden suggests you're only going by how he was on the show too. The fact remains that Aiden has released an album which received plenty of good reviews from people who would normally dismiss XF acts from the off. You seem to think that James has already proved himself when he's done no such thing. He's gone on an entertainment show, done some nice cover versions and has been touted as authentic and credible by the judges and some celebrities with no real basis for it. I really look forward to seeing what James does post-XF, but he has done precisely nothing at the moment to be described as an authentic, urban popstar. Compare him to Aiden once he's released an album, sure. At the moment it's pointless; he's on a highly manipulated show and has so far proved nothing other than his ability to sing other people's songs.

Thanks Marsha. I've nothing against James and hope he does live up to the hype but at the moment he's got a long way to go (ie. recording an album that proves the talent people say he has) before he does.

This is so true , don't know or care about the pretentious part but the singing was forgettable and his performance to quote a line from friends was "intense and creepy" The only similarity with James is that they were both male .

Exactly how I feel. I loved Aiden and was gutted when he was voted off. I'd be completely stuck for a favourite if they were both on the same year

Yeah Katie over Aiden was a low move by simon cowell that year.

The way I see it is this. A lot of people watch the show as light saturday/sunday night entertainment and to them, it's about who sang the best on the night or who had the best performance, but I always think about how the person will fare outside the show, maybe it's because of my background (as Simon Cowell/Syco employee).

I never saw James' audition, his first performance I saw was, I'm sexy and I know it. I remember thinking wow, up until then no contestant had caught my attention. I get him, I don't expect everyone to.

I liked Aiden's audition and his first performance on the show, but after that, he confused me, I just couldn't relate.

Mainly because it was so huge, and i'd end up disagreeing with a lot, i don't want to write a whole essay i get carried away. Sorry wasn't being deliberately rude

I agree with pretty much a lot of what you said. However ive heard James actual stuff away from the show and he is supremely talented and able to write good music. So i have no doubts he'll sell well.
You are right i didn't hear much of Aiden post XF because he took so long to release anything(i know he had an issue getting a record deal, but took awhile i lost interest)
Have youtubed a few songs, they are decent quality. His mad world was one of the performances for sure of the XF, one of my favourites all time.
I do think James Lets get it on was something Aiden couldn't do though, he'd never be able to command a stage in such a way.
Where as i think James could probably pull off the mad world vibe that Aiden produced that time.
But of course he has it all to prove in terms of actually making hit records, critically acclaimed albums, shifting figures, but potential wise it's all there. Maybe your age thing is valid, Aiden tried too soon? But James right now is in my time watching the XF the 1st ready made artist who'd genuinely sell...he can reach youth, people who don't like what the x-factor is about. And that's very difficult to do when you're on the show.
Aiden was always something different, he never gave me the impression he a ready made artist, probably because at that time he wasn't.

I actually think they're both supremely talented. Unfortunately Aiden (nice guy by the way; I've met him) was screwed over by the X Factor because it would seem they wanted a 'character' instead of an artist.
I really do like James, I think he's one of the more ready made artists that have came from X Factor (he's been in bands, knows his niche, is confident on stage). Maybe if Aiden would have auditioned this year, he wouldn't have been lost in all the characters of a 16 contestant live shows.
I don't know James personally, to me he doesn't seem arrogant, and all this leaving clubs with random tarts could well be exaggerated by the press. I can see what people mean about carried away with the celebrity aspect but if you remember; the producers last year encouraged the contestants to go out drinking etc. He seems like a nice lad to me, I do hope he isn't too swept away with it all though. He's a slightly insecure guy who is suddenly getting attention. That's it.
Musically; I think Aiden would have done much better if he'd been on X Factor a few more weeks, fair play to him though for doing exactly what he wanted no matter how long it took. If James manages to do that, as someone who likes his stuff, ill be very pleased. I think he will as he seems to be sure of what he wants.

I love Aiden, I thought he was amazing on the show and still is off it. I like James as well. I don't understand the comparison, their voices sound nothing alike, they sing totally different styles of music, they have a completely different market. I mean, James raps and his music is more dubstep. Aiden was always more of an indie artist. Personalities are different too and looks. They're completely different?

Okay, I admit I haven't heard anything of James' work outside the show. Could you recommend which tracks of his I should listen to?

I think Aiden and James differ a lot in their performing style. The reason I loved Aiden so much, and haven't connected with James to the same extent, is that Aiden always seemed to 'read' the songs he was singing. I always believed in what he was singing, and understood the story he was trying to tell. James is probably the more consistent singer (but again, I'd argue that his age has helped with that) and has a lot more confidence about him, but I disagree that he could have done Mad World in the way Aiden did. Aiden brought a vulnerability to the song which made it such a special performance. James seems most comfortable when he's able to 'turn his swag on' (to coin a phrase.)

Aiden didn't actually have any issue getting a record deal, he signed to RCA pretty much as soon as the tour was done. He did, however, take a long time to record his album. Probably a little bit too long, if we're talking keeping public interest going, but he said from the start of promotion that he wanted to go away, have some experiences, and write an album that felt true to him, which is what I think he did. It does annoy me that he was signed to a fairly big label and they really haven't done much to promote him despite the quality of Misty Eye. Whatever James does, if he doesn't win, I hope he doesn't go with RCA! Anyway, I'm glad you've listened to some of Aiden's tracks: if you haven't already, listen to Poacher's Timing and Nothing At All (which is his new single); those two are my overall favourites and really showcase how diverse Aiden is as an artist. But to be honest, you're best off getting the whole album, which is definitely my favourite of 2012.

I agree that James has absolutely got the potential, I just think he needs to prove that now, and take the time to craft an album he's really proud of. If he releases a quick album to cash in on his success on the XF, he may well keep people interested, but he'll lose that authenticity that people keep saying he has. I wish him all the best.

Also, thank you for taking the time to clarify your comments and answer mine amicably. I appreciate it.

Faded is my favourite http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLYZhceQNn0

I also like I'll Reach You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASvIOGb6t54

everybodys asking questions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-xqL7A--1g

i'm a liar cos I do http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaoojomHv_k

Thank you, I'll be sure to have a listen.

No problemo, I hope you like, there's quite a few more but those are just my personal favourites

I'm going to guess you've never heard a single one of the acts you mentioned. None of them mumble pathetically with a fake accent and forced 'emotion' they just sing.

Thinking really hard about how emotive you are and how you can squeeze passion into literally the most puerile of lyrics (i.e. James and Aiden) does not make you creative, it doesn't even make you a singer, it makes you a pointless pretentious prat.

To compare Bowie to either of these losers is just madness.

Grimeshaw was cringeful in every way and an awful singer to boot. I'm no fan of Chris', but at least he understands what melody is.

^^

Absolutely.

I always though Aiden's singing was poor & I never understood what others heard in him.