Film Review: Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol

'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol' // Words: Sundeep Patel

The fourth installment of America’s answer to the James Bond series brings us to 'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol'. Once again, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is asked to miraculously do the impossible in an effort to prevent global destruction. With the help of his eager and able team, consisting of his loyal lap-dog Benji (Simon Pegg) and two capable side-kicks (Paula Patton and Jeremy Renner), agent Hunt must travel the world attempting to avert the rather clichéd ambitions of the nefarious Kurt Hendricks (Michael Nyqvist).

TV Review: The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe [Doctor Who Christmas Special 2011]

'Doctor Who' Christmas Special 2011: 'The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Festive edition of the sci-fi drama. A madcap caretaker greets evacuee Madge Arwell and her two children and leads them into a magical world." (bbc.co.uk)

It's Christmas with the Doctor (Matt Smith) again, following last year's 'A Christmas Carol'. This time around, we're transported to WWII-era Britain, as the Doctor looks after a family who have moved to safer surroundings - i.e their Uncle Digby's mansion. Lucky them.

Download: The xx - Open Eyes [New Demo]

Words: Saam Das

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you all got a nice present or two. And if not, here's a lovely, understated offering from The xx, which they're giving away for free. The band are in the course of making their long awaited second album, following their Mercury winning debut. Download the demo of 'Open Eyes' below.

Comment: Speculations On The Dark Knight Rises Prologue

Words: Ced Yuen

Last week, I attended an early screening of the prologue for the 'The Dark Knight Rises' at the BFI IMAX, which had as much security as an airport. My phone was confiscated, put into a little plastic envelope and sealed. My bag was searched and I had to join a long queue to be scanned with a metal detector.

Remixed: Alex Day - Forever Yours (Vocal Remix)

Remixed is a column that will highlight remixes we actually think are worthy of praise, be they old or new. Because most remixes are rubbish. // Words: Saam Das

Alex Day is something of a YouTube sensation. Indeed, you may now him better as "nerimon". He's in a Doctor Who tribute band. He's also found himself in the mix to become the UK's latest Christmas #1 single. Although his offering 'Forever Yours' isn't a festive special, it is in aid of charity and actually quite good. Listen to it below, along with a charming vocal-only version.

Film Review: Sherlock Holmes - A Game Of Shadows (2011)

'Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows' (UK Release: 16 Dec '11) // Words: Ced Yuen

2009’s 'Sherlock Holmes' wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Some enjoyed the rougher, unconventional approach to the classic detective; others found it too action-oriented, favouring the BBC’s more deductive (albeit awkwardly modernised) alternative. Like him or not, he’s back – and he hasn’t changed one bit.

BBC iPlayer: Millions (2006)

'Millions' (UK Release: 2004) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Heart-warming fantasy adventure starring James Nesbitt and Daisy Donovan. A suitcase of cash lands miraculously at a young boy's feet, the day before the UK switches to the euro." (bbc.co.uk)

Surfacing: Emperor Yes

Words: Saam Das

Not much has been said about Emperor Yes yet, the new project from Adam Betts of Three Trapped Tigers, Ash Gardner who has recorded the likes of Noah & The Whale and Mumford & Sons, and Hugo Sheppard (formerly of metal outfit To-mera). The mish mash of influences has given birth to a synth-heavy, experimental pop sound that sounds a bit like the second coming of The Postal Service.

Playlist: Festive Hardcore

Words: Simon Opie

Well it’s the time of year when stocking fillers are top of mind and what better to use than some seasonal hardcore. No, it's nothing to do with mustachioed lotharios but yes it is time to sweep up some challenging music and share it with your nearest and dearest, and a lot of it is British, so you’re helping those green shoots of recovery too. Keep reading for some suggestions for some essential last minute gift items, complete with YouTube video playlist.

Preview Footage: The Dark Knight Rises [Report]

'The Dark Knight Rises' prologue @ BFI IMAX (14 Dec '11) // Words: Ced Yuen

In 2007, Warner Bros. released a prologue of 'The Dark Knight', screened before 'I Am Legend' at selected IMAX cinemas. The 6-minute footage, which showed off the new Joker’s idea of a bank heist, was a hit. It helped to generate an unstoppable wave of hype and the finished product smashed the box office record in the following year. 'The Dark Knight Rises' is getting the same treatment, with another 6 minutes of footage aimed at getting people to the cinema on Day 1.

Album Review: The Black Keys - El Camino

The Black Keys - 'El Camino' (UK Release: 5 Dec '11) // Words: Simon Opie

The Black Keys have become part of the mainstream this year, at least in the USA, with Grammy awards and an increasingly large live following. They’ve been prolific of late and 'El Camino' represents, by today’s standards, a rapid follow up to 2010’s 'Brothers'. Radio-friendly is the best description of the music and there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with that, but for those who appreciate the breadth of their work, it’s not the most exciting set they’ve turned in.

Surfacing: NZCA/Lines [New Band]

Words: Saam Das

I popped into The Social in London earlier this week for Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens' Christmas party gig featuring perennial FG favourites Clock Opera. NZCA/Lines were also on the bill so despite the boredom of my own company, I stuck around for this project from Michael Lovett, the bassist for Your Twenties. It was worth it.

Download: Jhameel - WAVES [New Music Series]

Words: Jack Thomson

Jhameel was once set to become an officer in the US Army. His linguistic skills in Arabic, Spanish, Korean, and Russian would have been highly rewarded in the military but Jhameel quit the program, instead earning a degree in Arabic from UC Berkeley within just two years. He began his career in music immediately after, creating "explosively funky music" with inspiration from the likes of Prince and Michael Jackson.

Listen: Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross & Karen O - Immigrant Song [Led Zeppelin Cover]

Words: Saam Das

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross collaborated to provide 'The Social Network' with a riveting score and the duo have returned to contribute to another David Fincher film - an English language remake of 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo'. The film's teaser trailer was soundtracked by an incredible cover of 'Immigrant Song' (with Karen O on vocals) and you can hear it in full below, in a video designed for the film's titles sequence.

Surfacing: The Winter Falls [New Band]

Words: Saam Das

I woke up this morning and it was still dark. I don't think words can express the emotions that ran through me at the time. However, it seems entirely appropriate to be writing about a band called The Winter Falls as a result. You may be familiar with them from when I wrote about them as Yes Lord Sugar. If not, they comprise of members of two of Liverpool's best bands of recent years - Elle S'appelle and goFASTER>>.

Download: Internet Forever - Break Bones [Album Preview]

Words: Saam Das

In 2008, I wrote about an act called 'Heartbeeps', comprising of one Craig Nunn. Craig went onto form lo-fi trio Internet Forever with Laura Wolf and Christopher Alcock, whose music I haven't been particularly fond of. Yet they've unveiled a selection of new songs with new production and I'm much more onboard. Listen to the tracks below, with 'Break Bones' proving to be the standout.

Surfacing: FAMY [New Band]

Words: Saam Das

They lit up the UK blogosphere briefly earlier this year as Family but took a sidestep in rebranding as FAMY. Now this (three-quarters English, one-quarter Italian) France-based quartet have unveiled their debut single, 'Mother Benita'/'Dogg Dogg', which comes out on 12" next Monday. Enjoy WU LYF? Even a tiny bit? Keep reading...

Singles: November 2011

Words: Saam Das

There's still a month to go but I must have listened to at least 500 singles this year. Conversely, I've listened to about 15 albums. People have told me I'm doing it the wrong way round - yet I love the single as an artform. Three minutes of perfection is much more likely than an hour of perfection. Although November hasn't been quite as stellar, here's ten of the best singles out now.

Album Review: White Russia - O Jerusalem

White Russia - 'O Jersusalem' (UK Release: 28 Nov '11) // Words: Jack Thomson

I was first introduced to White Russia, an alternative electronic duo from London, in the early part of 2010. Otherwise known as Benjamin Bufton and Marina Elderton, and combining Elderton’s haunting ethereal vocals with Bufton’s fuzzy winding industrial production, White Russia’s sound represents a crossroad between something organic and something mechanical. Having only released two videos thus far, 'O Jerusalem' is the band’s first audio release to date.

Live Review: Worship @ St Pancras Old Church

Worship at St Pancras Old Church, London (1 Dec '11) // Words: Saam Das

I am very, very silly. Which is why I got lost on the way to this gig. Particularly silly as I used to live in the area and spent the best part of four years at a nearby university. Consequently, I missed Alpines for the umpteenth time. I'm not sure I'll ever see them at this rate. However, I did get to see Worship, who have steadily been building buzz around their recently released debut single, 'House Of Glass'.

Playlist: Bloggers' Sound Of 2012 [Long List]

Words: Saam Das

By the time this post goes up, I believe the oft-criticised BBC Sound Of poll will have its 2012 longlist published. The bitching has probably already begun. We'll be adding our thoughts at some point. In the meantime, I have contributed to an alternative poll of "ones to watch" for 2012 with a selection of UK bloggers. Our 15 act longlist is below, featuring the likes of The Good Natured and and BASTILLE.

Download: The Good Natured - Video Voyeur [Album Preview]

Words: Saam Das

Sarah McIntosh and gang have been busy writing and recording with Robyn producer Patrik Berger (not to be confused with the footballer who rose to prominence during Euro '96). Following the 'Skeleton' EP, 'Video Voyeur' is the first proper taste of the debut album from The Good Natured. Listen to it below.

Album Review: Mike Patton - The Solitude Of Prime Numbers [Soundtrack]

Mike Patton - 'The Solitude of Prime Numbers' (Music From The Film And Inspired By The Book) (UK Release: 14 Nov '11) // Words: Simon Opie

When it comes to pursuit of a singular musical vision there’s not many who can hold a candle to Mike Patton. From his work with John Zorn to The Fantomas/Melvins Big Band via Peeping Tom his output has ranged over a multitude of styles from Free Jazz to Rap. His latest work being the soundtrack for the acclaimed 2010 movie of the novel of the same name.

Download: Team Me - With My Hands... [Album Preview]

Words: Saam Das

As much as I really like Norway's Team Me, naming a song 'With My Hands Covering Both Of My Eyes I Am Too Scared To Have A Look At You Now' is so ludicrously annoying that I may well have not written about the track on principle alone. Yet it is so brilliant that it deserves all the chat it gets. Download it below, a preview to their debut album 'To The Treetops!, which comes out early next year.

Month In Reviews: November 2011

A quiet month for FG. Which is good because it gave me time to recover my sanity after the bustling October we had. Anyway, we had some positive reviews of the new albums from Summer Camp and Calexico, brought in the festive film period with 'Arthur Christmas', and revisited some of the year's summer releases which are out on DVD, including the actually-quite-funny 'Bridesmaids'. Check the reviews out below.