The Ephemeric

Theatre remains one of London's great treats, and the 2012 season is off to a great start. How does the Donmar hold up in the post-Grandage era? Will Simon McBurney see a return to form? We answer all these questions and more as we look at the early notables of London theatre in 2012:


"The Master & Margarita" Theatre Review
Directed by Simon McBurney
Written by Mikhail Bulgakov
Starring Paul Rhys, Henry Pettigrew, Angus Wright
Theatre Barbican, Complicite

I don't normally start a review with my conclusion but in this case I will make an exception; holy cow what a show. When it comes to Simon McBurney's Complicite theatre group you are never quite sure what awaits you; sometimes ingenius, sometimes vapid, this is entirely the former.

The Devil and his retinue visit Moscow in the 1930s to attend a gala with a demonic talking cat while Jesus and Pontius Pilate debate the nature of good and evil; in reality an allegory for Stalinism. This is the fevered imaginings of Mikhail Bulgakov whose seminal masterpiece the Master & Margarita has been hailed as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century, and at the same time a notoriously unadaptable piece of work.

Yet the biggest surprise is not simply that the production manages to hold together, but the panache with which this has been pulled off. It is perhaps to be expected that any adaption of such eclectic source material would involve an unorthodox approach and it is precisely this sort of area where Complicite are known for excellence. The audience is treated to technical marvels including clever use of music, video and 3D animation, and some extraordinarily choreographed climactic scenes.

Fortunately there's more substance here on offer than just a sensory feast, and the acting is equally remarkable. Paul Rhys is simply beguiling as the Bulgakov-like Master and the demonic Woland, a performance so deliciously offbeat that it is impossible to take your eyes off of him. Angus Wright almost steals the stage as the frenetic Koroviev along with Ajay Naidu as Woland's retinue, in equal parts menacing and camp.

Ultimately The Master & Margarita achieves an almost impossibly addictive concoction of zaniness, existential terror and pure excitement. An absolutely unmissable show, easily the best of the year so far and probably comparable to the best of recent years.





"All New People" Theatre Review
Directed by Peter DuBois
Written by Zach Braff
Starring Zach Braff, Eve Myles, Paul Hilton, Susannah Fielding
Theatre Duke of York's Theatre

What does one do after starring in a hit TV show for a decade, and making waves in Hollywood with an award winning debut film? In Zach Braff's case the answer was simple. The star of TV's Scrubs and his writer/director debut Garden State returned to his first love the theatre.

After a moderately successful run in America, All New People has come to the West End. Fans of Braff will recognise his handiwork immediately upon entering the theatre; the very signature Braff  style of soundtrack that typified the production of Scrubs and his various movies plays over loud speakers, featuring many of the same songs. The script even features its share of slapstick comedy and ironic humour with which he has become associated.

However this is a much darker brand of comedy than we are used to, with Braff beginning the opening scene standing on a chair, his neck in a noose. That this scene manages to be hilarious is a testament to both his writing chops as well as his impeccable comedic timing. In addition the script goes into far darker areas including hitmen, prostitution and considerably more profanity than he has ever been able to get away with on TV.

This is a plot that reaches quite close to my heart: a neurotic Jewish guy and a beach house setting in my own childhood haunt of Beach Haven, Long Beach Island. Yet at the same time this is a particularly surreal experience, with amusingly over the top situations and the usual cast of larger than life characters. The mostly tight writing keeps the jokes smart and the gradual reveal of plot points engrossing, while also making time for his trademark moments of tender contrast. What ultimately lets the production down is the clumsy pacing towards the end.

Braff excels at earnest and naturalistic writing, but by forcing his script into a 90 minute running time he is forced to wrap things up in far too abrupt a fashion. Plot threads take awkward twists out of nowhere, and characters turn violently bi-polar in the blink of an eye. It's an unfortunate and uncharacteristic narrative flailing after what is otherwise a reasonably neat and well executed production.

Nevertheless, this stakes a claim as one of the more noteworthy of early 2012 stage productions, and one would be foolish to pass on it while it's in town.





"Making Noise Quietly" Theatre Review
Directed by Peter Gill
Written by Robert Holman
Starring Ben Batt, Susan Brown, Jordan Dawes, John Hollingworth, Sara Kestelman, Matthew Tennyson
Theatre Donmar Warehouse

A lot of eyes have been on, Josie Rourke, the recently installed artistic director of the famed Donmar Warehouse. It is interesting then that Rourke has made the bold choice of reviving Making Noise Quietly, an unsettling, inscrutable piece that has never been to everyone's taste. Sadly on the evidence, it seems a poor choice.

The production takes the form of three short plays each presenting an intimate peek at how personal lives are affected by the spectre of war. The first concerns a troubled conscientious objector's encounter with a precocious homosexual man against the backdrop of countryside bomb raids, the next gives us a sorrowful perspective of a young soldier delivering bad news to a grieving mother, and the last concerns an ill equipped single dad suddenly saddled with a troublesome mute child as a result of war.

It's an interesting concept with the potential for a lot of personal insight. The problem is that this last paragraph contains the entirety of the content of the play. Any psychological or philosophical analysis rarely goes further than skin deep, and the rest of the production's running time is filled with pretentiously vague dialogue the sole purpose of which appears to be to mask the absence of substance and the condescendingly telegraphed "subtext" between characters. This is a script that isn't even half as clever or deep as it thinks it is, and doesn't trust the audience to connect the extremely obvious dots, instead spelling things out as painfully and melodramatically as possible.

To its credit, the acting in this play is perfectly serviceable. Particular mention must go to Matthew Tennyson's performance in the first segment. But this is a rare positive moment for what is otherwise a dull and tedious three hours. An unfortunate and disappointing blip on the record of the Donmar.

The unfortunate truth is that this is a play with little to say, and it takes a long time saying it.

Believe it or not, 2012 is off with a bang and whipping by at a lightning pace. The time has come for a little catch up and since I'm feeling extra generous, here's three hot off the press reviews of noteworthy new albums. Today we have for you the latest LP from American indie stalwarts The Shins, followed by two of the year's hottest debut releases in the UK Lana Del Rey and Dry the River:


"Port of Morrow - The Shins" Album Review
Genre Alternative Rock

With their humble indie credentials established through hits like New Slang and advertised through the medium of Zach Braff, James Mercer's band was the American indie darling of the mid 2000s. They released 3 albums in 6 years, then went on hiatus for the 6 years hence.

Following their debut the band has tried to expand their sound with each release more eclectic than the last, ranging from bubblegum pop-rock to psychedelia and prog-rock. Apparently dissatisfied with this as a creative outlet, Mercer himself has since dabbled in various side projects and collaborations, notably with elite producer Danger Mouse. Now he returns to the act that gave him prominence.

At times this latest effort might seem their most traditional sounding album so far, and yet the band have not sacrificed the indie edge that made them stand out. You have your classic fare here from the impossibly catchy lead single Simple Song to deliciously breezy acoustic numbers like September, while other standouts include the ultra funky, almost Bowie-esque Fall of '82.

There's no reinvention of the wheel here, but for fans of The Shins or just good catchy rock and roll here's another offbeat collection of summery tunes to enjoy.





"Born to Die - Lana Del Rey" Album Review
Genre Pop

One can't help but feel sorry for Lana Del Rey, dismissed as a one hit wonder months before her album even saw the light of day. Such can be the cruel effect of a wildly successful single like Video Games. Not to mention the spate of harshly negative press she's received in America.

The critics have been predictably polarised then, between those who hold this view and others who are more generous. As usual, I take a more middle ground view. This album is not bad by any means, but at the same time it's a victim of its own hype.

This album contains a handful of solid pop-noir songs like Born to Die and of course Video Games, along with a number of today's typical radio staple of hip-hop infused pop which are more hit and miss. The truth is that nothing on this album, even the good songs, comes close to matching the musical and lyrical richness of her lead single. Perhaps it is the curse of high expectations, but much of the album sounds bland, with genre staples that have been done better by other current artists, and lyrics that are very superficial.

I suspect that ultimately this is an album caught between two niches, that of mainstream pop and the more sophisticated singer-songwriter. As the former this is a perfectly serviceable album that ranks alongside the likes of Adele and Duffy that will no doubt find many fans of a certain demographic, but for those who heard Video Games and expected the latter, disappointment is inevitable.





"Shallow Bed - Dry the River" Album Review
Genre Indie

It's traditional to start the year with a heavily hyped new British band, but this is something a little bit different. Dry the River have been around for ever it seems, touring, receiving favourably coverage and pride of place on "hottest new band" lists, and now finally we have the finished product.

Dry the River are a difficult band to define, in equal measures purveyors of whispy folk in the vein of Bon Iver or Fleet Foxes, and more bombastic chamber rock, taking a page from the likes of Thom Yorke and Arcade Fire.

It's impressive, then, that they manage to drift so seamlessly from one intensity to another, assuming the best elements of their influences while bypassing their faults. Lead single New Ceremony  is a fiery multi-instrumental epic of Freddie Mercury style flamboyance and radio friendly polish. By contrast we have Hammer, an acoustic track of such elegance it could pass for Mumford & Sons if not for the fact that it sounds more interesting than watching paint dry. Other standouts include History Book with its luxuriant arpeggios and misty lyrics.

It's a solid effort overall with some fine songs and a consistently accomplished production. Unfortunately "good" never becomes "great". Much of the album is instantly forgettable, and one feels that even the highlights are destined for a short lifespan. This is a band that shows promise, but not yet ready to join the vaunted annals of the great British indie scene.

Genre Soul, Acoustic, Folk
Label Polydor Records
Producers Paul Butler



Here at the Ephemeric we are only too happy to admit when we are mistaken, as rare as that is. One such mistake took place not all that long ago when we bumped Mr. Kiwanuka's debut album off our top 10 most exciting albums of 2012 and gave it a mere honourable mention. It didn't take long for us to realise the error of our ways and you may consider this review the appropriate remedy.

Michael Kiwanuka seems strangely out of place receiving the sort of hype he has, as a soft spoken acoustic singer in an age of Lady Gaga and Adele; his music treads the well worn path of artists like Paul Simon and Tracy Chapman with a tint of 60s/70s soul, lacking both the sonic pomp and thematic melodrama of his most successful contemporaries. These are lyrics of a more existential context, about persistence and self worth, aimlessness and seeking clarity. It's a far cry from Adele's songs about failed relationships or Black Eyed Peas going out clubbing.

Yet almost by accident his debut album Home Again manages to be a bit of a crowd pleaser. Kiwanuka imbues his retro styling with a modern edge and likeable melodies that seem to appeal as much to the mainstream as to the more discerning music lovers out there.

The obvious examples lie in the titular lead single Home Again, a wistful strummer evocative of a grittier reimagining of early Jack Johnson, and I'll Get Along, which strikes a more jaunty, summery note.

Where the album really impresses, however, is with its capacity for the unexpected. Upbeat opening track Tell Me a Tale characterises this dynamism with its rich instrumentalisation and pleasantly unexpected tonal shifts, while slow burners like Any Day Will Do Fine and I Won't Lie lend real weight to Kiwanuka's otherwise feather-soft vocals.

Paul Butler's production of the album is sublime throughout, with perfectly pitched and suitably satisfying melodies and a wide range of instrumental textures, but it is Kiwanuka's voice that really makes these songs so special. That it's malleable enough to hit the jazzy smoothness of Bones and the R&B soul of the superb I'm Getting Ready highlights a truly unique talent.

This is just a taste of an album where really every song is worth listening to. Home Again manages to accomplish what few others are capable, a balance between the sincerity of a substantial work and the accessibility of a music sensation.


Must Listen
I'm Getting Ready


Tell Me a Tale


I'll Get Along


Home Again

Everyone enjoys a good cupcake, on this we can agree. If you don't, then clearly you just haven't found the right cupcake. That's where we come in; this is the Ephemeric's ultimate guide to cupcakes in London, running the rule over the most notable luminaries of confectionaries that this great city has to offer. For those of you with a sweet-toothed disposition, consider this the I Ching of frosted treats.




London town is no stranger to this distinctly American creation, but as with many transatlantic imports few establishments manage to really nail the subtleties of what makes a good product into a great one. Cake that is dense and moist, soft but not crumbly; icing that is neither rock hard nor pure liquid but rather strikes a suitably pudding-like consistency that melts in the mouth; and above all a flavour that is not too sweet, a tragic yet common mistake.

This guide has been a while in the making, and a lot of good cupcakes have been eaten in the name of science. So read on and enjoy as we cover the key dispensaries of which any cupcake aficionado should be aware.


6. Peyton & Byrne
Where: 196 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 7LQ
Price: From £3.00

The self proclaimed rose of British baking, P&B somewhat off-puttingly labels their cupcakes by the British moniker of "fairy cakes". Nevertheless their reputation is such that it warranted a visit. At first I was somewhat worried about the variety of flavours here, eschewing the basic standards in favour of more exotic ideas such as "frou-frou" and lemon meringue which don't always work. Fortunately the cupcake itself is solid, with the icing in particular quite artistically crafted. However if P&B has one major flaw, it's that the cakes err much too far on the sweet end of the spectrum, another very British trait.

Rating on Cupcake-O-Meter:





5. Buttercup Cake Shop

Where: 16 St. Albans Grove, W8 5BP
Price: From £2.50

Sadly not the same Buttercup as the excellent cupcake chain from New York, but clearly finds its inspiration in the American ethos of caked treats. The buttery, creamy icing is everything it should be in terms of texture and flavour, but the cake batter itself is a bit on the dry and crumbly side. More impressive is the periodically changing variety of flavours on offer which always ensures something fresh and new for returning patrons.

Rating on Cupcake-O-Meter:





4. Primrose Bakery

Where: 69 Gloucester Avenue, NW1 8LD
Price: From £2.00

The Primrose Bakery is something of a local favourite for those of us from north London, and gains points for being one of the more reasonably priced entries on the list. Cute, colourful and with near perfect icing, the cupcakes nevertheless lose standing with the rather more dry cake batter. Still, the variety of flavours and general yumminess ensures this will be a fixture for years to come.

Rating on Cupcake-O-Meter:





3. Peggy Porschen Parlour

Where: 116 Ebury Street, SW1W 9QQ
Price: From £3.50

Formerly a designer of bespoke cakes for weddings and events, Peggy Porschen opened her delightfully pink and chocolate parlour in Belgravia a little over a year ago. This dispensary is as expensive as one might expect, but warranted by the quality of product. The cake is light, but moist, with the icing delicious but a little bit on the thick side. The menu serves as a great example of how to non-standard flavours correctly, with the likes of strawberry champagne and vanilla chiffon displaying a fine balance of creativity and tastefulness. PPP also receives the highest commendation here for presentation and decoration; artistic without taking away from enjoyment of the cupcake.

Rating on Cupcake-O-Meter:




2. Bea's of Bloomsbury

Where: 44 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8NW
Price: From £2.50

Bea's is famous as one of London's favourite tea shops, and also widely known as a purveyor of wonderful cakes of varying descriptions. Buy your cupcake individually, or alternatively wander in and sit yourself down for one of their afternoon teas, which comes with a cupcake of your choice. The cupcake itself is very tasty, with a rich darkness to the icing that resists the urge to go too sweet. But the lack of sugar means the cake batter is perhaps not quite as moist as it should be, though by no means too dry. Bea's is another establishment which excels in the aesthetic side of cupcakery, and the range of flavours will keep you coming back to try something new. Keep an eye out for their cookies and cream cupcake.

Rating on Cupcake-O-Meter:




1. Hummingbird Bakery

Where: 133 Port0bello Road, W11 2DY
Price: From £2.00

The undisputed daddy of London cupcakes, and comparable to the very finest anywhere in America, Hummingbird is required eating for anyone in this town. The cake is delicious and moist, the icing of perfect texture and sweetness. The sprinkles are delicious but non-intrusive, and the presentation as a whole is top rate without going over the top, as one might argue is the case with Peggy Porschen. Their selection of cupcakes may not be the biggest, but the quality can't be beat. As a bonus note, most of their products can be bought gluten-free if necessary.

Rating on Cupcake-O-Meter:

This Sunday, Hollywood's famous Kodak Theatre will once again play host to the biggest day on the cinema calendar, the Oscars. People all over the world will tune in for that most tragically popular of pastimes, celebrity watching, followed by four hours of forced laughs and real tears.

The real drama this year lies not on the screen, but behind the scenes as overrated director Brett Ratner (hey, in Hollywood "knowing people" is a very real qualification) resigned from his producer's role in this year's ceremony following scandal, and took with him scheduled host Eddie Murphy. So in a moment of panic the Academy has done what it always does and gone crawling back to Billy Crystal, who will once again host the evening.

As always, I give you my loyal readers some predictions for the big night. You may not have seen the big films this year, or be familiar with the latest hype tearing through tinseltown; if so consider the following a crib sheet for what lies ahead this weekend, and perhaps even a sneak peek at who might just be walking away with the big prize.



Best Picture

Nominations:

• The Artist
• The Descendants
• Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
• The Help
• Hugo
• Midnight in Paris
• Moneyball
• The Tree of Life
• War Horse

Who Could Win:
This year we have 9 nominations, as apparently the new rules state that "up to" 10 may be nominated for best picture. As always I pine for the day of 5 nominations, when a best picture nomination actually meant something. This year I think it's safe to say that everyone and his nan could guess the winner, the hype for The Artist has well and truly reached fever pitch, deservedly so, and it will take far more than a Clooney-shaped meteor to stop it.

Winner:
The Artist


Best Director

Nominations:

• Woody Allen – Midnight in Paris
• Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist
• Terrence Malick – The Tree of Life
• Alexander Payne – The Descendants
• Martin Scorsese – Hugo

Who Could Win:
No surprises here; in recent years the best director prize has always gone with the winner of best picture, even more so when that director has already won the DGA award, as good a barometer of Oscar gold as any. This year that man is Michel Hazanavicius, the impossible to spell director of The Artist.

Winner:
Michel Hazanavicius


Best Actor

Nominations:

• Demián Bichir – A Better Life as Carlos Galindo
• George Clooney – The Descendants as Matt King
• Jean Dujardin – The Artist as George Valentin
• Gary Oldman – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy as George Smiley
• Brad Pitt – Moneyball as Billy Beane

Who Could Win:
Up until a few months ago, George Clooney's victory appeared almost inevitable. The Academy often has a tendency to pick "the next in line" for this award as seen with Jeff Bridges and Colin Firth in recent years, whose victories were known before anyone had even seen a frame of their respective films. This year there was the sense that it was simply Clooney's year. But that was before The Artist came along, and now some hold the sentiment that it would simply be unconscionable not to award Jean Dujardin the Oscar for what is, quite simply, the best performance of the year in The Artist.

Winner:
Jean Dujardin


Best Actress

Nominations:

• Glenn Close – Albert Nobbs as Albert Nobbs
• Viola Davis – The Help as Aibileen Clark
• Rooney Mara – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as Lisbeth Salander
• Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady as Margaret Thatcher
• Michelle Williams – My Week with Marilyn as Marilyn Monroe

Who Could Win:
This could be a close one. Conventional wisdom is torn between this award going to Academy darling Meryl Streep for her Oscar bait role as Maggie Thatcher and the lesser known Viola Davis for her star turn in the crowd pleaser The Help. If there's one thing the Academy loves it's period pieces circa the civil rights era, and the word from my sources says that Viola has simply won too many hearts with her performance to let this prize go to media favourite Streep.

Winner:
Viola Davis


Best Supporting Actor

Nominations:

• Kenneth Branagh – My Week with Marilyn as Laurence Olivier
• Jonah Hill – Moneyball as Peter Brand
• Nick Nolte – Warrior as Paddy Conlon
• Christopher Plummer – Beginners as Hal Fields
• Max von Sydow – Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close as The Renter

Who Could Win:
Another tough one. Here you have here a number of very well regarded actors in good roles, and Jonah Hill for some reason, who could win themselves an Oscar on prestige alone. However I suspect that this race is really down to Max Von Sydow and Christopher Plummer, the latter of whom has in fact never won an Oscar. If the buzz is to be believed then this might just be Plummer's year at last.

Winner:
Christopher Plummer


Best Supporting Actress

Nominations:

• Bérénice Bejo – The Artist as Peppy Miller
• Jessica Chastain – The Help as Celia Foote
• Melissa McCarthy – Bridesmaids as Megan Price
• Janet McTeer – Albert Nobbs as Hubert Page
• Octavia Spencer – The Help as Minny Jackson

Who Could Win:
This year's favourite is without a doubt Octavia Spencer who by all rights should complete an impressive actress prize double whammy for The Help. That being said, there is genuine upset potential here depending on just how big a wave The Artist enjoys on Sunday night; I wouldn't run out and bet money on it, but don't rule out a surprise win for Bérénice Bejo.

Who Will Win:
Octavia Spencer


Best Original Screenplay

Nominations:

• The Artist – Michel Hazanavicius
• Bridesmaids – Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo
• Margin Call – J.C. Chandor
• Midnight in Paris – Woody Allen
• A Separation – Asghar Farhadi

Who Could Win:
A two horse race between Midnight in Paris and The Artist. Personally I think any screenplay that manages to be as engaging as The Artist's without including any dialogue deserves some recognition, but there is a lot of buzz about Woody Allen's most recent hit. This one will once again depend on just how big that Artist wave is.

Winner:
Midnight in Paris


Best Adapted Screenplay

Nominations:

• The Descendants – Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, and Jim Rash from The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings
• Hugo – John Logan from The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
• The Ides of March – George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and Beau Willimon from Farragut North by Beau Willimon
• Moneyball – Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin; Story by Stan Chervin from Moneyball by Michael Lewis
• Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan from Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré

Who Could Win:
Another tough one to call. On the one hand there is The Descendants, a film which fancies itself as the would be Oscar kingpin for this year had The Artist not existed, and in close competition there is the underrated Moneyball. In all honesty Moneyball should probably win, offering a smarter and more original product than it's rival, but I predict the Descendants will win here as consolation for losing out to the Artist elsewhere.

Winner:
The Descendants

Welcome back. We hope you enjoyed our preview of the most exciting movies of 2012, and judging by our analytics it looks like you did! Today it is time to look at one of the other great passions in life, music.



This year we're changing the format a little bit; rather than two distinct lists of albums from new and returning bands we will be going with a simple top 10 list combining the best of both. Be sure to take the precise order with a pinch of salt as it will be based on a myriad of factors including quality, intrigue, and how likely we are to actually see the release in 2012. Rest assured though, every entry on this list has more than earned it's place.

So behold, here is the top ten list of albums to keep an eye on in the coming year, starting with number 10:



10. Untitled - Bloc Party


Bloc Party return following frontman Kele Okereke's ill advised dalliance in solo work. Will it be a return to form for one of Britain's brightest musical products of the last 10 years?

Known for their classic hits such as I Still Remember and Banquet, hype for the band has nevertheless cooled off to a certain extent in recent years following a mediocre third studio album and years of absence since.

Fortunately a nice restful hiatus can do the world of good for a band, and we can only hope that 2012 marks the return of a very fine group of performers indeed. Release date is slated optimistically for 2012, but there is a chance this may yet slip.

Release Date: TBA 2012


9. MGMT - MGMT


One of the Ephemeric's hotly tipped bands of 2008, MGMT's debut album Oracular Spectacular brought the band what some might describe as crazy success. Songs like Time to Pretend and Kids will be etched into the memory for a long time to come, and expectation will surely follow from here on in.

This is exactly what happened with their follow up, Congratulations, wherein the band decided to raise a middle finger to expectation and record a rather more experimental, non-commercial, and some might say self-indulgent album.

Going back to basics with their self-titled third album, and with decidedly more intrusive oversight from the record label if stories are to be believed, MGMT describe their new material as "fun and rewarding". Beyond this it's anyone's guess what direction they will take this time, and whether the band can bring back some of the more fickle hype fans they scared away last time. Either way be sure to expect psychedelia aplenty, with insightful and most likely self-flagellating lyrics.

Release Date: TBA 2012


8. Youth - Simian Ghost (New band)


Our first new(ish) band on the list. Simian Ghost did in fact release a moderately received debut album last year but that hasn't stopped them from pencilling in an audacious follow up only a year later, and from what's been heard so far it looks like the latest Swedish wunderband might be ready to move onto big things.

The Guardian has called new album Youth an early contender for album of the year, and other early coverage has been similarly bright. Listen to first single Wolf Girl and judge for yourself.

In this humble braggart's opinion, if the rest of the album is as lush and melodic as the single, then all signs point to excellence.

Release Date: March 5th 2012


7. Shallow Bed - Dry the River (New band)


Another new band, Dry the River are already moderately well known in the United Kingdom following two successive years of playing Glastonbury and touring, and recently featured in the BBC's "Sound of 2012".

After an apparently fierce bidding war, debut album Shallow Bed will finally see release this Spring. Expect an eclectic assortment from a group that's as comfortable with Killers-style anthems as Mumford and Sons style semi-acoustic melodies.

For a perfect example of this see two songs from the upcoming album: the fairly badass New Ceremony, and the rather more down-tempo No Rest. Could get interesting, keep an eye on it.

Release Date: March 5th 2012


6. Born to Die - Lana Del Rey (New band)


Lana Del Rey seems to be all the rage right now, with many critics including the Sunday Times naming her delicious piece of noir-pop Video Games as one of the songs of the year.

It remains to be seen if the rest of Born to Die will live up to its first single, but here you have a good looking girl with a great voice, and buckets of hype. Whatever happens, the Ephemeric radar predicts this album to be big, and the Ephemeric radar is rarely wrong.

Release Date: October 26th 2012


5. Untitled - Goldfrapp


Genuine chameleons of the electro-pop world, Goldfrapp has dabbled in everything from Kylie Minogue-esque neon to ambient acoustic serenity and even 80s dance anthems.

With their new as yet untitled album they could revisit any of these styles or head some place completely new. If the first song revealed, Melancholy Sky, is any indication however, we might be in for a touch of the same down-tempo delights of previous album Seventh Tree.

The exact release date is unknown, but fingers crossed we see it in 2012.

Release Date: TBA 2012


4. Untitled, and Kisses on the Bottom - Paul McCartney


Former Beatle and elder statesman of Rock and Roll Paul McCartney returns for his fifteenth studio album. Kisses on the Bottom will contain a mix of covered jazz classics and new material, and feature collaborations with the likes of Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder.

But in addition to this he will apparently also be releasing an as yet untitled album which promises more of the pop stylings he is known for. Frankly I'm excited about both prospects, and we are making them joint 4th place on this list.

Honestly there's little else that can be said about McCartney that has not been said already. The man has earned his status as one of the finest songwriters of all time with a career spanning 50 years and going strong. If these match up to his last release in 2008 under the name The Fireman then we are in for a treat.

Release Date: TBA 2012, and February 7th 2012


3. Port of Morrow - The Shins


Following some time off working on a few rather excellent side projects, James Mercer is finally returning to the band which made him famous, The Shins, for their first studio album in five years.

It's hard to guess what's in store for Port of Morrow from a band known for producing such varied and eclectic sounds, from the acoustic stylings of New Slang to the 1960s psychedelia of Girl Inform Me and the more traditional indie rock of Phantom Limb.

So far just the one new song, titled Simple Song, has been revealed and it kinda rocks. As such I have pretty high hopes for this album when it is released come the Spring time.

Release Date: March 20th 2012


2. Battle Born - The Killers


Alright now we are talking. The boys have returned from hiatus and their various solo efforts, and they are recording a new album. That's right, arguably one of the biggest new bands of the last 10 years, The Killers, are back. I mean, do I really even need to post a link to Mr. Brightside or All These Things I've Done? Didn't think so, but I did it anyway.

Little is known of the new album, tentatively titled Battle Born, except that it will supposedly mark a return to the more guitar-based milieu a la Hot Fuss. The band are well known for mixing things up and playing with different styles and inspirations though, so expect something that is nevertheless fresh.

So far the only new song to be heard is this rough around the edges live recording of The Rising Tide, sounding in this man's humble opinion a bit like a cross between the Springsteen-esque style of Sam's Town and Hot Fuss. Not a fan of the new haircut, and Brandon needs to watch out for those high notes, but still looking forward to this album.

Release Date: Summer 2012


1. Untitled - Passion Pit


And this year's number one most highly anticipated album sees the return of another former Ephemeric success story. Passion Pit were a hotly tipped new band back in 2008 when their early EP did the internet rounds and generated immense buzz, and were essentially the hype band of 2009.

No doubt many of you will recognise ubiquitous songs like Moths Wings and Sleepyhead. Now Passion Pit returns with their as yet untitled follow up album, originally due for release last spring, but delayed until 2012. Expect more of the same lush, euphoric melodies and addictive, impossibly uplifting production, plus the invaluable added benefit of experience.

Described by frontman Michael Angelakos as "beautiful, exciting and fun", so far the only taste we've got of new material comes from this sweet live recording of American Blood. Early days yet and no word on precisely when it will see release, but this one is looking pretty special.

Release Date: TBA 2012



Honorable mention must go to new albums from British hip hop artist extraordinaire M.I.A. as well as the experimental electronica of Crystal Castles and in particular a rather promising sounding debut from the acoustic stylings of Michael Kiwanuka which was unlucky not to make it onto our top 10.

Lastly there is also a rumour that Mercury Prize winner (and former Ephemeric hot tip) The XX may be on the verge of releasing a follow up album in the next year. Sadly I'm pretty skeptical that this will actually happen, and so they miss out on a top 10 spot they would otherwise easily have earned.

Tune in next week for the best upcoming video games of 2012!

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to 2012. Now that the new year has had time to settle in, take its shoes off and make itself at home, I think it's about time to start having a look at what awaits us over the next 12 months. We begin with our in depth look at 2012 in films.



This list looks at films released after the deadline for the 2012 Oscars. As with every year, we can only express our condolences to top films like the Artist and the Descendants which open during the awkward lapse between the end of year Debbies and the Oscars. Sadly they will not be considered on this list as "2012 films" despite their apparent excellence and 2012 release date.

So behold, here is the top ten list of key films to keep an eye on in the coming year (trailers linked in the title where available), starting with number 10:



10. The Great Gatsby


This could be a bit special. F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel is being brought to the big screen again, this time courtesy of director Baz Luhrmann and starring the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire.

With the array of talent involved in this project great things are to be expected, and the Christmas day release date suggests they mean business.

It will be interesting to see how Luhrmann approaches this film given his track record for heavily stylised, overly sentimental romantic films, but it might just be a perfect fit for him. DiCaprio meanwhile will be hoping to make up for the likely disappointment of not winning the Oscar this year for J. Edgar (yeah I'm calling it) and Mulligan, who is pretty much the hottest up and coming young actress in Hollywood, may finally find the role that takes her to the next level.

Release Date: December 25th 2012


9. Les Miserables


The legendary musical will finally get a proper musical film adaption, and now I'm going to tell you why that's something to get excited about. Les Miserables is the longest running musical in the world, based off Victor Hugo's timeless novel, and 1998's mediocre non-musical adaption not withstanding has never had a proper film interpretation.

That's going to change now, with none other than King's Speech director Tom Hooper at the helm, and an all-star cast including Hugh Jackman (fresh from his smash hit show on Broadway), Russel Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne and Helena Bonham Carter.

Sweeney Todd showed us that musicals can still be taken seriously by the Academy if done well, and this production has more than enough pedigree to make that happen.

Release Date: December 7th 2012


8. Prometheus


Ridley Scott is back and so is the Alien franchise (kinda, sorta, not really), although not in name. This is technically a loose prequel to Alien, however it is intended to be taken as a standalone story, almost entirely unconnected to the Alien movies.

The plot details are a bit thin at the moment, but Prometheus stars Noomi Rapace, the up and coming Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, and Charlize Theron, who between them have tallied a number of great movies and numerous awards.

Some pretty top talent involved then, with creative control in the hands of one of the directors who pretty much invented modern sci-fi. Expect this to be pretty big when the summer blockbuster season comes around.

Release Date: June 8th 2012



7. World War Z


After a long bidding war and production issues going back over five years, Brad Pitt's zombie baby is ready to make an appearance.

Mind you this is no ordinary zombie movie. World War Z is based on a best selling novel, directed by Oscar winner Marc Forster and starring Pitt himself, with a cast that includes Matthew Fox and Bryan Cranston.

It may not be the next 28 Days Later, or up for awards in 2013, but all signs point to this being one heck of a ride, with some pundits speculating that this film could do for zombie movies what Blade Runner did for sci-fi.

Billed as a trilogy grounded in the realistic gun-metal style of the Bourne series tethered to the unsettling end-times vibe of the Walking Dead, keep an eye on it.

Release Date: December 21st 2012



6. Skyfall


James Bond returns for our next entry, hoping to atone for the misstep that was Quantum of Solace. Skyfall happily breaks away from the story arc of the last two entries in the series for a bit of original storytelling, which sees Bond fighting for the very survival of MI6 and in particular Judi Dench's maternal "M".

Daniel Craig makes his third and allegedly final appearance as James Bond alongside a cast that includes Oscar winner Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes.

But the real news here is that legendary director Sam Mendes is directing. Those of you who don't remember Mr. Mendes from his time as artistic director of the Donmar theatre will certainly remember his Academy Award winning work with American Beauty and Road to Perdition, as well as his other films Jarhead and Revolutionary Road.

Here's hoping that this one will be a bit more Casino Royale, and a bit less Quantum of Solace. For now though there is plenty of reason to be excited.

Release Date: October 26th 2012


5. Gravity


Another highly mysterious project about which very little is known. What we do know is that Gravity is a thriller about astronauts who get stranded on the International Space Station after some kind of disaster, and that it will star this year's current favourite to win the Oscar George Clooney as well as previous Oscar winner Sandra Bullock.

The other big piece of info is that this film will be directed and written by Alfonso Cuarón, best known for his Oscar nominated work on the brilliant Children of Men. I'll be honest, the only reason this film is so high on this list is because that was such an excellent movie.

Little additional info has been made available, but the insider buzz on this one is quite positive, certainly one to keep an eye on.

Release Date: November 21st 2012


4. The Dark Knight Rises


What more can be said about Chris Nolan's Batman films that haven't already been said? Dark Knight Rises marks the end to this trilogy and the end of an era.

Of course the likes of Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine will return, and this time they are joined by Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anne Hathaway, and Marion Cotillard. That's an extremely well stocked cast.

It remains to be seen if this can match the runaway success of its predecessor the Dark Knight, but either way the level of talent involved is undeniable, and with Chris Nolan at the helm anything is possible. This trilogy looks set to go out with a bang.

Release Date: July 20th 2012


3. Django Unchained


The unmissable Quentin Tarantino returns with his next film following the success of Inglourious Basterds. As with most of his films, details are being kept tightly under wraps, but it's safe to say we can expect the usual mix of violence, great acting and sharp dialogue.

A typically all-star cast includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt (who appears to be doing a Ryan Gosling and appearing in everything this year), Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, Christoph Waltz, Kurt Russel, Jamie Foxx, and interestingly Sacha Baron Cohen. It's a fantastic cast, featuring a lot of old Tarantino favourites and an abundance of award winning talent.

Not much is known about the plot except that it's about slavery, set during civil war times in the American south. Tarantino himself describes it as a spaghetti western set in the south, or as he calls it a "southern".

Release Date: November 20th 2012


2. Lincoln


This one is actually pretty difficult to talk about without molten Oscar gold dripping out of your mouth. Steven Spielberg directs this biopic of Abraham Lincoln, one of America's greatest historical figures, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, who has allegedly been in character as Lincoln since last summer.

Between the two of them they have more than a dozen Oscars and they are backed by an impressive ensemble which includes Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (seriously, he's everywhere!).

I don't have to see a single frame of footage to know that this film is going to be in the running for awards this time next year. It's hard to believe that it took this long to make a big budget film about our 16th President, but if any film maker is up to the task it is Spielberg, despite his disappointing 2011.

Release Date: TBA Q4 2012


1. Cloud Atlas


The most intriguing entry on this list is the long mooted film adaption of David Mitchell's challenging and complex best selling novel. A profound telling of six interlocking story arcs that span generations and geography, it sounds like the sort of subject matter that can't possibly be adapted for the mainstream.

Enter the Wachowski Brothers. Best known for making high school philosophy into a mainstream blockbuster with the Matrix, revolutionising the action genre in the process; if anyone can turn Cloud Atlas into something presentable it's them.

Add to that a great looking cast featuring Tom Hanks, Hugh Grant, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent and Hugo Weaving, and you've got yourself the makings of something a little bit special. Let's just hope this doesn't go all Matrix Revolutions on us.

Release Date: October 2012



This is just the cream of the crop, but an honorable mention should go out to The Avengers, which forms the culmination of the recent deluge of Marvel franchise films, and Men In Black III, which will probably be absolutely awful, but still deserves a watch through merit of the original film. Meanwhile on a more serious note we have The Master, a controversial commentary of all things on Scientology starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman, which has not been included on this list because it may not even come out in 2012.

Tune in next week for the best upcoming music of 2012!

Directed by Michel Hazanavicius
Written by Michel Hazanavicius
Produced by Thomas Langmann
Starring Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman
Running time 100 minutes




So maybe this hasn't been the most exciting year for cinema in recent memory. Maybe there's no King's Speech or Avatar, but when February rolls around the Academy will still have plenty of traditional Oscar fare to contend with like War Horse, the Descendants and the Help.

Yet it isn't any of these that is currently considered the frontrunner for the most coveted of film awards, that honor belongs to a french silent movie shot in black and white, starring and directed by complete unknowns. It might just be one of the strangest and most unexpected awards campaigns of all time, but the Artist has captured the zeitgeist of critics and movie patrons the world over, and heads into 2012 as favorite for the big finish.

Naturally I was curious as to how such a thing could be possible, and made sure to book tickets for opening night, which just happened to be my birthday. I'm pleased to say that I can now understand why such an oddball of a movie has elicited so positive a reaction, this film easily surpassed my expectations.

First of all: yes this film is (almost entirely) silent, with scenes backed by a continuous score, rarely any diegetic sound, and dialogue displayed sparingly with intertitles. The Artist is a love story for sure, but the real meat of the plot lies with the tormented silent movie star whose dumb pride and stubborn ways render him unable to cope with the changing times in Hollywood. The Artist is a tender homage to the early days of cinema, and particularly the period of transition between silent movies and "talkies", but any fear that this aesthetic is merely some self-indulgent gimmick is quashed within the first few minutes.

As hard as it may be to believe, I was glued to the screen for the entire film, absorbed into the moment in a way that few recent films have managed. The Artist is uproariously funny, perfectly acted (not least of all by a scene-stealing terrier), at times heartrending, and always sublimely stylish to look at.

It turns out there is an art to conveying story and emotion using the minimum dialogue. While we like to think of such a style as some archaic relic from the silent era they still form some of cinema's most eloquent and affecting moments, from 2001 to Cast Away to Wall-E. There's a surprising amount that can be said without words. The Artist uses that effect better than any of these films to the extent that, far from a gimmick, this heavily stylised tone actually adds to the content of the film. It also doesn't hurt that the score which accompanies almost every second of the film is so excellent.

So is it really a contender for best picture in February? Most definitely. The Artist is one of those films which grows even fonder in memory; certain scenes are so brilliantly clever and well executed that they border on cinematic perfection. The spellbinding and utterly committed best-actor-at-Cannes-winning performance of Jean Dujardin is also almost certain to earn a nomination, though halting the Clooney buzz that seems to be building will be a tall order, no matter how deserving.

Yet at the same time the Artist is a film that in hindsight might look strangely lightweight next to other winners of the coveted best picture. This is not a "deep" movie, it doesn't tell any groundbreaking story that hasn't been done before, and on the grand scheme of things it doesn't have anything pivotal to say. The Artist is simply an exceptionally well made encapsulation of Hollywood and everything that people love about movies. It captures the devoted torment and the unbridled joy of an artform, and it does so in a way that is simply absorbing for the moviegoers.

Skeptical? I was too, but give this a go and the irresistible charm will suck you in and win you over.



Loves:
Extraordinarily clever filmmaking
Tour de force performances
Daring and ultimately vindicated stylism

Hates:
That skeptical patrons may not give this a shot

Here we are again for the traditional end of year awards, where our esteemed panel of judges (ie me) lay down the ultimate verdict on the year gone by for everything, and we do mean "everything". 20 categories, 20 hard fought and well earned trophies.

It's been a year of much excitement and transition, of folk-rock revival and Ryan Gosling, and whether you find yourself overwhelmed by it all, or simply haven't been paying attention, you can't miss our final and definitive look back at all things 2011.

So happy holidays you magnificent bastards, and without further ado here are the:


2011 Debbie Awards


Cinema & TV

1. The Debbie for TV Show of the Year 
Winner: Curb Your Enthusiasm 
Runner Up: Dexter









Curb Your Enthusiasm , the brainchild of comedy legend Larry David, is quite simply the funniest thing on TV right now, and this latest season might just contain some of its finest moments. It's all the more impressive when you consider that between this and Seinfeld, David has been writing at the forefront of comedy for more than 20 years, his is a rare kind of genius.

Dexter comes in second, with the series still defying all expectations in keeping the premise improbably watchable as the seasons advance. The series may have peaked, there may be only a year or two left waiting in the wings, but for now this still remains one of the best shows currently on TV.


2. The Debbie for New TV Show of the Year 
Winner: American Horror Story
Runner Up: Falling Skies










It's safe to say that many eyebrows were raised when the creators of mega-sensation Glee said they wanted to move into horror for their new TV series American Horror Story, especially for people like myself  who hate Glee. The result however is far better than anyone could have expected, proving that some people simply have a knack for making compelling television regardless of genre or style.

Also worthy of note is new Spielberg produced alien invasion series Falling Skies, the spearhead of TNT's new lineup, which got off to a very promising start this fall.


3. The Debbie for Film of the Year 
Winner: Moneyball 
Runner Up: Source Code










While it may be a premature statement with so many of the films tipped for next year's Oscars still to be released, the Brad Pitt starring Moneyball goes down as the best of 2011 in my books. For the second year running, an Aaron Sorkin scripted film takes the prize, this time adapting the best selling true story of a manager who turns a tiny baseball team into record setters through the magic of statistics.

Duncan Jones (who no longer has to be known as Zowie Bowie now that he has escaped his father's shadow) follows up his critically acclaimed debut Moon with the bigger budget Source Code . The result speaks for itself and provides another hint of things to come from one of the most promising directors in cinema.


Music & Theatre

4. The Debbie for Theatrical Production of the Year 
Winner: Frankenstein 
Runner Up: Anna Christie










For the second year running, we snub the Donmar for the coveted Theatre Debbie. Michael Grandage must be phoning it in with his final year in charge. That being said, the winning production is something quite spectacular indeed: Danny Boyle's stunning interpretation of the classic Frankenstein starring a superb cast of Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller, and the music of Underworld. Truly it was the kind of theatrical blockbuster that comes along only so rarely, and one that will live long in the memory.

The Donmar's Anna Christie takes the silver medal with Jude Law proving his stage acting chops with a role cast completely against type, and all the better for it.



5. The Debbie for Album of the Year 
Winner: Hurry Up We're Dreaming - M83 
Runner Up: Helplessness Blues - Fleet Foxes










Some Debbies are easy to award, but in this case there has been much deliberation and disagreement over which of two great 2011 albums should take home the gold. Ultimately we went with the more creatively adventurous effort from M83 and its rich, ambitious soundscape. Dreamy, nostalgic and quite remarkable, Hurry Up We're Dreaming is a worthy winner.

Fleet Foxes take the runner up price, but make no mistake they would have been a worthy winner in another year. Helplessness Blues improves upon their successful debut in every way, refining the wistful folk-revival sound and adding a lyrical narrative richness that was often previously lacking.



6. The Debbie for Debut Album of the Year 
Winner: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds










It's not been an especially groundbreaking year for debut acts, but there are a couple which come to mind when considering this most coveted of Debbies. This year the winner is Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, the latter and greater of this year's two post-Oasis solo albums. Noel is on song here on his own for the first time, staking his claim as a standalone artist in his own right.


7. The Debbie for Song of the Year 
Winner: Helplessness Blues - Fleet Foxes 
Runner Up: Wait - M83










In a reversal of fortunes from the best album Debbie, it is Fleet Foxes who take the top prize for song of the year with their lead single Helplessness Blues. Building on the smooth harmony-laden melody of a White Winter Hymnal, Helplessness Blues forms the crux of the new album with its driven angst and impetus.

Meanwhile the sumptuous Wait from M83's album takes second place with its beautiful, yet understated melancholy.


Videogames & Technology

8. The Debbie for Greatest Technological Innovation of the Year 
Winner: Kepler Spacecraft









While technically speaking Kepler launched in 2009, 2011 was a big big year for the project, and a year of many firsts for space exploration. 2011 saw the first Earth-size extra-solar planets discovered as well as the first extra-solar planets discovered within the so-called "goldilocks zone"; there has been much talk of the death of the space program, but in many ways now more so than ever before is an exciting time in this field.


9. The Debbie for Lamest Technological Innovation of the Year 
Winner: Kinect










At some point the Microsoft bigwigs gathered in a smoke-filled and i'd like to think poorly lit room and decided that the best way to copy Nintendo's motion control idea was Kinect, a device which involves controlling games by flapping about like an idiot with absolutely zero physical feedback. Needless to say it has not exactly taken off, nor has Microsoft's grand vision of a house controlled entirely by waving your hands at Kinect.




10. The Debbie for Videogame of the Year 
Winner: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword 
Runners up: Portal 2, LA Noire









The winner of this year's Debbie for best video game may raise some eyebrows for its lack of review on this website, but then I'm a busy man, so deal with it. The fact that it's winning game of the year against some pretty formidable competition should say all that needs to be said; Skyward Sword sees the most radical shift in gameplay arguably in the series' history while managing to stay faithful to the elements which make Zelda one of the world's most critically acclaimed franchises.

In a year full of tough competitors for the top prize, the choice of runners up was equally difficult, but ultimately second place is being shared by Portal 2, the more ambitious sequel to one of the greatest games of the past 10 years, and LA Noire, Rockstar's technologically innovative homage to the 1940s.


Sports

11. The Debbie for Footballer of the Year 
Winner: Lionel Messi










Lionel Messi, retains his trophy, being that he is frankly not in the same category as the rest of us mere mortals when it comes to footballing ability. For this reason I have decided that picking a runner up would bely the gulf in class between him and the rest. Also I didn't even bother changing this blurb or picture from last year's awards.  


12. The Debbie for Sports App of the Year 
Winner: iFooty










It's been a big year for iFooty with the launch of video content and other new features, one which has seen the app attract even greater media attention, including a write up in prestigious football magazine FourFourTwo.


Social

13. The Debbie for Party of the Year 
Winner: Halloween Pub Crawl












Maybe I'm just a sucker for Halloween, but year after year they tend to produce the best nights. This year's pub crawl through the seedy depths of Camden Town set the scene perfectly.



14. The Debbie for Restaurant of the Year 
Winner: The Oxo Tower 
Runner Up: O Ya









This year belongs to the Harvey Nichols brasserie in the Oxo Tower, consistently one of the best restaurants in London with its superb changing menu and newly redone bar. With unrivalled panoramic views across the Thames this is truly a restaurant for special occasions.

Content to hold the runner up position again is O Ya of Boston, one of the best restaurants in the world, so good as to make reference to it as a "sushi place" seem almost ludicrous.



15. The Debbie for Nightclub of the Year 
Winner: Piccadilly institute










If there's one thing I am a sucker for it's creative drinks and themes. Piccadilly has this going for it in spades with several uniquely themed rooms and drinks to match including a science room containing the steaming foamy beakers pictured above, and a Moulin Rouge styled room where drinks are served in a top hat with sparklers.



16. The Debbie for Best Brother 
Winner: Jeremy Debate

You're welcome bro.



17. The Debbie for Douchebag of the Year 
Winner: 99.9% of all London bike riders










Bikes, the scourge of London drivers and pedestrians, and with the new influx of "Boris bikes" (actually a brilliant idea, though we stole it from the French) there are a whole lot more of them all of a sudden. Don't get me wrong, bikes are a great thing, the trouble is 99.9% of people in London ride them like an idiot. So to those of you in the 0.1% I raise a glass in gratitude, to the rest, a middle finger.



Travel & Literature

18. The Debbie for Book of the Year 
Winner: Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson










Not exactly a new book, but read for the first time this year and unique to say the least. Don't just catch the films, make sure you read the books as well.


19. The Debbie for Wine of the Year 
Winner: Castello di Fonterutoli 2004 
Runners Up: Cerviolo 2001











Castello di Fonterutoli 2004 is, for my money, the best vintage of the best wine from one of the best vineyards. Fonterutoli has become one of the biggest names in wine, but if you want to do it right, try to find one of these bottles, which are understandably becoming scarce.

Going for something a bit on the heavier side, Cerviolo 2001, takes the silver medal this year having tracked down the last remaining bottle at the San Fabiano vineyard. Quite the wine.



20. The Debbie for Champagne of the Year 
Winner: Champagne Mailly L'Air Blanc










Champagne Mailly's latest Grand Cru continues the "four elements" theme, this year bringing air to the table, and it might just be their best yet. This delicious 2005 vintage is rich, fruity and irresistibly smooth.



Well there you have it, another great year, and here's to the next one being even better!