[Ruth]

Originally posted by CharlotteSometimes
Talent alone doesn't tend to do you many favours in the music business, though. Charisma is as much, if not more of a factor, and in that department, Andy's a loser and Journey South would be found severely lacking.

Well, that's kind of what I was saying when I said that Shayne would appeal to a wider audience than Andy. And there's no doubting that for a lot of people, Shayne's looks and style are his appeal - which is why I said that Shayne's looks had helped him in the competition. But what's new? I've been a fan of Duran Duran for about 20 years, and when I was about 14 years of age, I honestly thought I would marry John Taylor one day (if he's reading, I'd still consider it)! But I liked their music too, and still do. A lot of their appeal was their looks, but it doesn't mean that they had no talent.

Originally posted by CharlotteSometimes
I'd be surprised if any major labels took a chance on Journey South, unless they've been sitting on some pretty remarkable self-penned tunes all this time without anyone noticing. They may get signed and release an album consisting mostly or entirely of covers, but it would be a daring move indeed to release an album of original material from them, and not one that any of the majors seem likely to gamble on.

I've heard that it's actually Simon Cowell who has signed them. So what I said about hoping that he doesn't send Shayne down the route of syrupy ballads and un-necessary cover versions would also apply to them. It was someone at work who told me that Simon had signed them - it may or may not be right, but it wouldn't surprise me if he had taken them on.

Originally posted by CharlotteSometimes
I've said all along that Andy has a fantastic voice, but his biggest stumbling block has always been that he has the 'so what?' factor rather than the X Factor. The arrangement, as well as the vocal styling, of course differed for each of them. When you listen to the structure of the song itself, it screams musical theatre. That's perhaps why some seem to like it, and some don't - not many seem to be saying 'it's a good song, but not really my scene'. When Shayne sang it last Saturday, as it built to its dramatic conclusion, it crossed my mind what an achievement it was on his part not to blush at the sheer tackiness of the song, and I wanted it to end for his sake. When Andy sang it, I wanted it to end for my own sake. I'd sooner massage my ears with nettles than endure that ever again.

Purely a matter of opinion though - some people love the song - I hated it, when both of them sang it. I just thought Andy sang it better.

Originally posted by CharlotteSometimes
Simon said on Saturday that they'd been getting calls from respected (his interpretation, not mine) songwriters, offering to write for Shayne.

But you've posted a few times during the course of the show that Simon has told lies and been dishonest. If that's right, how do you know whether he was being honest or not when he said this?

Originally posted by CharlotteSometimes
I think Girls Aloud's appeal is pretty obvious. Young girls want to be them (or to have the clothes, glamour and styling that comes with the package) and boys/men want them - full stop.

Yes their appeal is obvious. I was being sarcastic before, but I honestly don't think they have much talent.

Originally posted by CharlotteSometimes
The songs that they're given to record are extremely well-crafted pop - you don't have to declare yourself a fan or buy their material to appreciate that.

I didn't watch Popstars (X Factor is the first show of this ilk that I have watched), but judging from what I've seen and heard of GA since, I don't think they are talented. There are plenty of people who I do think are talented, but whose music I don't like. I don't think that everyone whose music I don't enjoy has got no talent.

The songs that they are given certainly are well crafted pop - that is a testament to the talent of the songwriters, not GA themselves.