**** Great Balls of Fire *** Good Vibrations ** Maybe Baby * Running on Empty

MASTERS OF REALITY

“Masters of Reality.” Def American ***

When the bombastic arena-rock intro gives way to the easygoing but relentless rhythm guitar and kicked-back vocals of “Domino,” you know you have something warped and wonderful on your hands. It’s impossible to pigeonhole this Syracuse band. Are they ‘60s hippies? A ‘50s bar band? Alternative blues-rockers of the ‘90s? And does it really matter when every song on their debut LP is so appealing?

This Rick Rubin-produced album is full of surprises. You can boogie down with “Gettin’ High,” and if you want a little swing music, there’s “Magical Spell.” Old Cream fans can melt into the dreamy strains of “The Blue Garden.” Each song offers a new flavor, but it’s hauntingly held together by singer Chris Goss’ tenor. Guitarist Tim Harrington takes his cues from ‘60s axemen like Clapton and Hendrix, but he also explores ‘50s guitar tones and meanders through a Zeppelin-style acoustic number called “Looking to Get Rite.” “Masters of Reality” is a blissful frolic with a sound that is as elusive as it is enjoyable.