There’s such a special feeling when you find a record that sticks in your imagination. I remember discovering my music taste and the wider world of rock music. I went through a phase of listening to pure psychedelia and trip-stoner rock. Bands like Kyuss, Monster Magnet, Brant Bjork, Sleep, etc. Going through this little phase, I discovered a band that always lingered in my playlists and mixtapes. This band was today’s subject: the American rock band Masters of Reality. I think their record, Welcome To Western Lodge, will always be up there as a genuine masterpiece. Also, when I’m in the mood, their album, Pine/Cross Dover, is something that keeps my attention through the runtime. It’s been a little while since that last record in 2009, so my genuine shock when I saw that they were returning in 2025 with a new record, The Archer. This complete mindbend of a record hits just a well as the older stuff with a few more tricks up their sleeves. Frontman Chris Goss has put together yet another musical experience that crosses the aisle from traditional rock to emfactic trippy psychedelia. The best way I can describe this album is to think of the biggest tripped-out production mixed with masterfully composed music.
The album is something that I’ve been jamming out to for a little over a month now, so I’ve become quite acquainted with the flow of the album. At first, you may think that it’s a fairly spacey record that you need to be on some kind of illicit substance to enjoy. However, if you bear with the record, it very quickly finds its groove. The opening song, title track “The Archer”, sets out the tone of the record and introduces the atompshpere and gets you prepared for what is to come. With Goss’ vocals worming their way into your ears as the carful production warms up the band. You’ll be impressed by how quickly the album blows by. Songs like “Chicken Little” and “Barstow” open your mind with their dream-like sound. It made me feel like I was in the throes of a deep sleep. I would recommend getting the best speakers or headphones to fully appreciate the full soundscape to shine. When you get to songs like “Mr Tap and Go” and “Bible Head”, you feel the rock influence with the harder guitar tones and more impactful drums. Throughout every song, you have the warbly tones of Goss’s voice that lie on top of the production. It feels like a mish-mash of elements that shouldn’t go together, but I feel like they do.
I will say that this style of music is most certainly an acquired taste. I think if you’re not accustomed to this genre or style of production, then you’re more than likely not going to find much here. I think for some, this style of music is all style and effect with no meat. There are no catchy hooks or traditional rock riffs to keep you in. I would say, though, you have to trust the artist to take you on their journey, with all of its mountains and pitfalls. There’s a certain level of understanding when you start a record like this. You, as the listener, agree to allow the artist to take your imagination to where they need it to go. I think that’s something that this record does pretty well. Even though it can feel like a mess of ideas, the overall album experience is one that I enjoy. That’s something that I’d recommend when it comes to this, it’s an album in a true sense of the term. You can’t just pick and choose individual songs to throw on without the rest of the album. Well, you can play the songs, but it’s so much better in the context of the overall record.
So, with all of this said, can I recommend this album? Well, yes and no. If you’re looking for something to fill in that hole of the experimental psych-rock sound of the mid-90s, or if you’re wanting something a little different to the standard rock world, I would say this is something you could absolutely throw on and have a good time. If you’re someone who appreciates well-composed production and ethereal songwriting, this album is an absolute must. In saying that, though, I’d recommend giving it a chance even if it’s not your sound. There’s something to be appreciated here from a pure songwriting and production perspective. I found it utterly fascinating, and if you’re like me or you’ve enjoyed the albums I’ve recommended in the past, then this is one to give a go! Goss is such an underrated songwriter, and his music challenges the listener at every turn. So, his records are always worth checking out, even if it’s just once. You never know, Masters of Reality might capture your imagination like they did mine!
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