Although French singer/songwriter
Jonathan Morali has carefully constructed a persona under the name
Syd Matters, that of a slightly agoraphobic romantic writing and recording haunted musical messages from the safety of his bedsit, his third album features the debut of
Syd Matters the band, a quintet featuring himself, two other guitarist-keyboardists (one of whom doubles on flute) and a rhythm section. The fuller sound of
Ghost Days suits
Morali's songs beautifully, giving them more depth and a certain level of lo-fi elegance. The soigné mopery of songs like "I Was Asleep" and the epic "Me and My Horses" is just the sort of wistful sadness that feels particularly nice to sink into on a rainy, lonely day, and the lyrics are salted with just enough flashes of happiness to keep the album from turning into a brooding downer. Fans of
the Pernice Brothers, the darker side of
Belle & Sebastian, and other acolytes of
Nick Drake will find much to love here. ~ Stewart Mason