|
Welcome to the Western Lodge Masters of Reality |
|
Ever tried listening to music while submerged under the water for several minutes? Neither have I but I swear this first song sounds just like it was being siphoned through a tube or something and straight into my ear… non-coincidentally the song title is "Its Shit" and while I'll stop short of using such a crude description of its contents, I do think there's got to be improvement lying around the corner. Then again, it may take just a few more listens to actually find out. If the name sounds familiar, Masters of Reality's had a fairly lengthy if somewhat subdued existence. Led by Chris Goss, an eclectic forward looking personality who wrote and basically performs everything that's taking place here, has been plugging away at MOR since originally hooking up with one Rick Rubin back in '89. So at a time when heavy Rock was in search for that one cure-all to save its fading life, Masters of Reality were born. They were not the solution nor were they the problem-instead, they were this unique hybrid creation that held the reins from the classic Rock tradition of the past while positioning themselves toward the future and diversity in style quite independently of what might've been taking place around them. "Welcome to the Western Lodge" is more of the same idea; opting more for the circuitous route rather than the time saving shortcuts through the album side, there's a lot to absorb here without all the unnecessary studio filler techniques that waste valuable space where an organic idea might've better served. "Moriah," "The Great Spelunker," and "Time to Burn" follow up the opening track and successively improve upon their phlegm-inducing predecessor in a big, if not totally expected sort of way. "Take a Shot at the Clown" is another sharp turn off the roadway with its Beatles-like melody and nearly psychedelic haze, while "Baby Mae" at times sounds like a modern day Jethro Tull without the flute and fiddle. The album finishes up strong, a point not to be overlooked considering we're following down thirteen overall tracks here. Instinctively, I'm prone to saying there's also a solid measure of Zeppelin, Cream and Sabbath thrown in the mix here-and not necessarily in that order and then so, there'll always be some quirky oft-beat element or technological fragment going on somewhere-how bout, "Annihilation of the Spirit," that'll totally dissolve that idea… at least for thirty seven seconds or so. "Welcome to the Western Lodge" is unusual, compelling, and fits comfortably with the rest of their catalog inasmuch as it would squirm restlessly among today's rack of hit-makers. Released by Spitfire
Records. Review by Vinnie Apicella
[va85@columbia.edu] |