In theory, it seems Vancouver's irrepressibly goofy
the Real McKenzies have set out to do for Scottish folk what
the Pogues did for Irish folk: give a cheerful boot up the ol' arse. In reality, they sound closer to the ultra-gimmicky one-hit wonders
Tenpole Tudor: three-chord bubblegum-punk that occasionally throws in a set of bagpipes or essays a traditional tune for color. This is not necessarily a bad thing, because
the Real McKenzies deliver the goods with unpretentious charm and a refreshing sense of humor on
Oot & Aboot. Sly, sassy songs like "Cross the Ocean" and "Shit Outta Luck" hit the same pleasure centers as the goofier songs on the mid-period
Replacements songs ("Gary's Got a Boner" or "I Don't Know," for example). So it's not really all that folksy, except for the surprisingly trad closing instrumental, "Taylor Made," but it's fun.