The Real McKenzies-Off the Leash
Fat
August 5, 2008

I remember liking The Real McKenzies last album, but it wasn't anything that truly struck me. Off the Leash is a complete improvement, an album that I love listening to front to back, an album that I think I've already listened to more than 10,000 Shots, and an album that will be getting many spins a long time to come.

From the opener, "Chip," which really straps the listener in for what is going to be a wonderful ride of catchy, bagpipe driven punk music, to the closer, "Culling the Herd," The Real McKenzies don't leave a dull moment. They add in a subtle folk influence, with great stories as interesting as the songs themselves. This is definitely an album that should be listened to with lyric sheet in hand, or at least listened to enough so that all lyrics are figured out.

I'm completely crazy about this album. It seems like I spend countless money buying albums that will be as entertaining as this one. This is an album worthy of many repeat listens, and one that should break The Real McKenzies into a complete household punk name.

Written by: RF
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