Masters of Reality – Pine/Cross Dover

(Brownhouse, 2009)

Desert rock pioneer Chris Goss continues to plod along with Masters of Reality in between all the other projects he has going on. 2009 saw the release of Pine/Cross Dover, their sixth studio album, and first since 2004.

King Richard TLH sets the mood with a typical upbeat Masters of Reality melody with soothing vocals over intricate guitar playing. Absinthe Jim And Me the upbeat dreamlike feel of the opening track and turns it on its head; an alarming few seconds leads the listener into a dark and mysterious new world, building up a sense of danger towards Worm In The Silk where the female backing vocals give the looming threat an eerie religious like feel to it. Perhaps this is appropriate given we are listening to a desert rock god. takes

Always provides a classic Masters of Reality mix of trippy rock before Johnny’s Dream once again lures the listener into an odd dreamy/nightmarish like state, reminiscent of the work of Goon Moon. The first five tracks make up Pine, a much darker side compared to the second half Cross Dover.

Up In It has all the modern desert rock characteristics, illustrating the influence Goss has over the likes of Josh Homme. Dreamtime Stomp, Rosie’s Presence, and The Whore Of New Orleans have a timeless quality and wouldn’t be out of place on any Masters of Reality album.

The dark, brooding Testify To Love has Goss searching for, and finding, hope and strength; this signals an end to the album before closing track Alfalfa provides a wonderfully improvised, 12 minute long, instrumental.

Pine/Cross Dover, an album which flew under the radar somewhat when it was released, takes the listener through a range of dreamlike stages, bordering on psychedelic, before the listener is put back at ease by the close; Goss’ distinctive, and at times delicate vocals often contrast the dark feel created by heavy bass and droning guitar.