Although the lo-fi quality of this recording rivals releases on the Siltbreeze imprint, its songs are similarly worthwhile for their earnest sonic character. Matt Sage, formerly of Castles and Swordfight, is the sole performer and songwriter in M. Pyres, and he brings with him an undeniable knack for superlatively catchy, sometimes driving, sometimes contemplative pop songs. At 21 tracks, Consider Me, Ghost is the fractured indie-rock equivalent of a Robert Altman movie with vivid character sketches, eloquently explored themes, and mini-dramas woven into a loose, larger narrative. Fans of early Sebadoh will appreciate the record's frayed edges and eccentricity. The numbered series of instrumental songs titled "Spectre" reinforce the sense of album as cinema by framing it all with the sounds of haunting isolation.

by: Tom Murphy

or here:

"ACCIDENTAL ANTHEM"
by Elliott Johnston

Matt Sage is building a regional sonic mythology out of adventurous indie pop. His music—which has been created under the names Castles, M. Pyres and now, M. Pyres and the Skygaze Family Band—asks a question worth posing: what does it feel like to live here? What does it sound like? What kind of creative consciousness grows from our yin-yang of extremes, between mountains and plains, East and West Coasts, the city and the sticks?But, despite the fact that the track has connected with listeners like no other song in his repertoire, Sage is torn about it. We recently met to speak about the song, making music in Fort Collins, and the pesky dilemma that hangs over artistic life here: should I stay or should I go?


read the interview HERE

http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2009/08/last_night_desolation_wilderne.php#more

"The band performed lovely, expansive lo-fi power pop. Halfway or so through the set, Matt Sage told us that they wouldn't be playing any more old material. What ensued was a group of songs that were step in the right direction for this band, and it reminded me of a lot of those Flying Nun bands, especially the Clean, with distorted yet resonant riffs and intensity coupled with pretty melodies."

M. Pyres & the Skygaze Family Band performs with a sense of outward joy and exuberance, like a punk-rock band informed by a gentle sensitivity and wracked with possibilities.


http://www.westword.com/2009-09-03/music/m-pyres-the-skygaze-family-band-at-the-hi-dive



(thanks tomurph)

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