Album Review: Masters of Reality: Pine / Cross Dover

The Masters of Reality have always been one of those elusive bands. They don't tour much, rarely release albums, and are known to a handful of music cognoscenti geeks because they worked with Ginger Baker in the early '90s. But while a new Masters record is unexpected, it is always welcome. In this case, mastermind Chris Goss has cooked up two mini-albums, released as a double. Pine is the first five songs, and the last six are Cross Dover.

Pine / Cross Dover finds writer/singer/guitartist/producer Chris Goss working with drummer John Leamy, Queens of the Stone Age bassist Brian O'Connor, and a bevy of guest musicians. This is heavy, powerful rock with equal influences of Cream and Black Sabbath with odd evocations of The Doors, the Mahavishnu Orchestra and even Urban Dance Squad. Goss is known as a producer (having worked with Kyuss and others) and he gives the record a dry, buzzy, imminent sound that is compulsive and compelling to listen to.

There are some short, heavy tracks that feature Goss' oddball lyrics and wailing Telecaster, lots of psychedelic weirdness, and album-closer "Alfalfa", a twelve-minute instrumental jam that will make you want to dance and headbang at the same time. In other words, it sounds like the Masters' best work--unpredictable, weird, and inspired.

Still not convinced? Download the leadoff cut here King RIchard TLH and join those who believe that "MoR" does not stand for "middle-of-the-road", but for "Masters of Reality."