Review Summary: A low key, welcome comeback from the elder statesmen of desert rock
The Archer just might be the most low key comeback album I’ve ever heard. Masters of Reality always had a peculiar status as a leading pioneer in the desert rock scene with some interesting associations over the years but also marred by missed opportunities and sporadic activity. In this regard, it’s pretty in character for their first album in sixteen years to just sort of saunter in rather than be a triumphant comeback.
Fortunately, the band’s musicianship and sense of style haven’t been degraded by the years away. Any attempts to channel their early nineties hard rock heyday go unneeded as the music is much more closely aligned to the mellow folk of 2004’s Give Us Barabas with some grabbag moments ala 2009’s Pine/Cross Dover. The mood is consistently laid back throughout with the vocals wafting by on contemplative Neil Young-isms while the textures put in a variety of dynamics, never getting too abrasive but making sure to avoid slipping into background music.
From there, the songs follow Masters of Reality’s tried and true method of easygoingg catchiness acrosss a breezy runtime. The opening title track presents a western overcast with gentle strums and exhoing leads that see further exploration with the hazy sway on “Chicken Little,” the subdued Beatles vibes of “Barstow” and “Sugar,” and the dreamy “Powder Man.” Elsewhere, “I Had A Dream” puts some fuzz to its upbeat pace without fully exploding while things come to a spaced out culmination with “It All Comes Back To You” and “Bible Head.”
Despite what may sound like a lack of serious fanfare, Masters Of Reality makes a welcome return with The Archer. Not too many bands in the current stoner rock crop seem to tap into a similar mindset, which could risk them seeming out of step but ultimately reinforces their unique appeal. It’s relaxed yet meandering, well suited to lazy Sunday listening with an old friend.
