That the guitarist of post-metal pioneers Isis would start a side project consisting mostly of ambient guitar explorations was, in all likelihood, a surprise to no one. That project, MGR -- which stands for Mustard Gas & Roses -- is led by Michael Gallagher, and got its start around 2005. The endeavor was made "official" with the 2006 full-length Nova Lux, which was released by the Neurosis-led label Neurot. An EP, Impromptu, followed later that year. In 2007, Gallagher released MGR's follow-up album, Wavering on the Cresting Heft, which featured guest appearances from a string quartet, Greg Burns of Red Sparowes, and Dälek's Oktopus. ~ Chris True