The Real McKenzies – Oot & Aboot

A Canadian punk rock band, with a major twist. A Scottish twist that is. These kilt wearing punkers by the name of The Real McKenzies have graced Honest Don’s Records with a 13 track Scottish punk rock album which will truly blow you away. It will never be a classic, but will always be one which you can return to at any time and truly enjoy. That in itself is something incredible. From the opening track of Cross The Ocean to the final track, an instrumental (Taylor Made), there is not one let down.

The opening track, Cross The Ocean, comes at you with a drum and guitar melody. The vocals then come blasting in and you get surprised at the talent and power of it all. It something very different from the mainstream pop you see all over the TV and radio. Paul Mckenzie, the vocalist, sings the songs with a perfect Scottish accent, which gives it a good old traditional feel. Fast paced most of the time, but able to slow it down at times to sing the catchier parts of the song, the chorus. A perfect choice to open the album with, it grabs your attention and gets you wanting to hear more.

Track 4, Get Lost, is my favorite song on the track. This time the bagpipes by Matt MacNasty are more evident, but the vocals are by far the most prominent, and once again quite catchy. The pace of the track changes from time to time always at the right moment and by the right amount. Telling someone to go, get lost, and join a punk rock band. A short song, but a perfect punk rock melody. Dance Around The Whisky, (track 7) is another track which I really like. It has a more of a “real” feeling to it. A song about drinking beer and having a fun time, but with sounds in the background (galsses banging, people talking, etc.) gives it a feel as it it really was in a pub. It also has another different feel to it as it is mostly just an acoustic track.

Shit Outta Luck, the ninth track, is my second favorite one of the whole album. A incredibly catchy chorus, and somewhat catchy verse, the Mckenzies find another new way to send across their musical talent.  A great combination of musical instruments in the background all interconnected perfectly. The bass though, is the most prominent for most of the song.  Just a good old fashion song. Other songs worthy of mention would be Lest We Forget, Ye Banks And Braes, The Night The Lights Went Our In Scotland and  Drink The Way I Do.

Overall, this album will probably not be in my top 10 of 2003, but will always be one which I will be able to return to and really enjoy. It gives you a new feel and perspective on the punk world. I do recommend you pick it up if you get the chance.