Real McKenzies

Putting aside the scotch whiskey, the shtick, and mystery as to whether the Real McKenzies are all true Scotsmen or not, the music must speak for itself first and foremost. With that said, the lads have truly outdone themselves and Oot & Aboot is easily the best McKenzies release since 1998’s Clash of the Tartans. Paul McKenzie has come a long way since his new wave Enigmas days singing about "Teenage Barnacles.” Replacing the saxophone with bagpipes and the band with a motley crew of whiskey-swilling, kilt-lifting, penis flapping, frisky Scotsmen. The Real McKenzies may share a loose affiliation with the likes of Flogging Molly, the Dropkick Murphys, or the New Breed, but they are a cut above the rest. Right from "Cross the Ocean” until "The Night the Lights Went Out in Scotland,” the Real McKenzies display their brawn and keep the tempo just right for jigging or slamming.