CellarGhosts
10/30/08, 06:25 PM
The Real McKenzies - Off the Leash
Record Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Release Date: August 25, 2008
To use an appropriate (albeit cliche) metaphor, The Real McKenzie's latest offering goes down like your favorite beverage - refreshing, smooth and familiar. While the band has spent some time refining their sound over the years, they've never strayed far from their unique blend of Scottish folk and Spirit of '77 punk rock. Much like Boston's Dropkick Murphys, there is ample bagpipe to be heard on any of The Real McKenzies' releases, which lends well to the band's ear for melody. Like their previous album, 10,000 Shots, Off The Leash features an abundance of instantly memorable rockers, all stirred up with some new dashes of folk instrumentation, such as banjo on "The Ballad Of Greyfriars Bobby." Lagwagon guitarist Chris Rest even shows up to lay down a few licks, lending to the punk side of The Real McKenzies' sound. Top notch musicianship is abundant on Off The Leash, specifically on "The Maple Trees Remember", with it's tight country guitar picking and steady violin work.
And while overall the album is a very solid effort, it has it's shortcomings. Like with any of the band's other releases, vocalist Paul McKenzie's voice can be just a little wearing. Of course this isn't to say his voice is bad at all, it's just a little much to take in at once. Another weak point is lyrical inconsistency. In parts, Paul McKenzie's lyrics are pure Scottish storytelling, a fine offering of tales of boatwrights ("Chip"), historical figures ("The Lads Who Fought and Won") and friends dear to the heart ("Kings Of Fife"). But at times, his lyrics falter, as they do in "My Mangy Hound" which, despite being an otherwise terrific song with a infectious melody and superb back up vocal work, just comes across as something of a children's song, lyrically. "White Knuckle Ride" is another example of what feels like lazy lyricism on McKenzie's part, but it is the weakest overall song here, so it's nothing too distracting.
Thankfully, those are the few gripes I can think of while writing this review. In the end, this is a fun, fine album, sure to please the old fans and convert some newcomers. If you're looking to have a good time, or knock back a few cold ones with your friends, Off The Leash is the album for you.
Dropkick Murphys; Stiff Little Fingers; Flogging Molly; folk rock; singing along
myspace.com/therealmckenziess (http://www.myspace.com/therealmckenziess)
Record Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Release Date: August 25, 2008
To use an appropriate (albeit cliche) metaphor, The Real McKenzie's latest offering goes down like your favorite beverage - refreshing, smooth and familiar. While the band has spent some time refining their sound over the years, they've never strayed far from their unique blend of Scottish folk and Spirit of '77 punk rock. Much like Boston's Dropkick Murphys, there is ample bagpipe to be heard on any of The Real McKenzies' releases, which lends well to the band's ear for melody. Like their previous album, 10,000 Shots, Off The Leash features an abundance of instantly memorable rockers, all stirred up with some new dashes of folk instrumentation, such as banjo on "The Ballad Of Greyfriars Bobby." Lagwagon guitarist Chris Rest even shows up to lay down a few licks, lending to the punk side of The Real McKenzies' sound. Top notch musicianship is abundant on Off The Leash, specifically on "The Maple Trees Remember", with it's tight country guitar picking and steady violin work.
And while overall the album is a very solid effort, it has it's shortcomings. Like with any of the band's other releases, vocalist Paul McKenzie's voice can be just a little wearing. Of course this isn't to say his voice is bad at all, it's just a little much to take in at once. Another weak point is lyrical inconsistency. In parts, Paul McKenzie's lyrics are pure Scottish storytelling, a fine offering of tales of boatwrights ("Chip"), historical figures ("The Lads Who Fought and Won") and friends dear to the heart ("Kings Of Fife"). But at times, his lyrics falter, as they do in "My Mangy Hound" which, despite being an otherwise terrific song with a infectious melody and superb back up vocal work, just comes across as something of a children's song, lyrically. "White Knuckle Ride" is another example of what feels like lazy lyricism on McKenzie's part, but it is the weakest overall song here, so it's nothing too distracting.
Thankfully, those are the few gripes I can think of while writing this review. In the end, this is a fun, fine album, sure to please the old fans and convert some newcomers. If you're looking to have a good time, or knock back a few cold ones with your friends, Off The Leash is the album for you.
Dropkick Murphys; Stiff Little Fingers; Flogging Molly; folk rock; singing along
myspace.com/therealmckenziess (http://www.myspace.com/therealmckenziess)