Album of the Day — October 28

Green — Elaine MacKenzie

Green — Elaine MacKenzie

Green — Elaine MacKenzie

28.October.2020
Green
Elaine MacKenzie
1987

I remember walking from the Hoboken PATH stop on one of those ice-cold January nights to go to Maxwell’s to see this band from Chicago, Green.

I remember that, but I can’t remember the show through no fault of the band.

The blame here lies squarely with Rolling Rock, Jack Daniels …and me.

Elaine MacKenzie is the second album from Green, a power-pop trio from Chicago who, at the time, consisted of:

• Ken Kurson — bass guitar, vocals

• Jeff Lescher — guitar, vocals

• Richard Clifton — drums

Vocally, if you can imagine a band that combines the best of The Kinks, The Descendants, and just a touch of Ronnie James Dio, you may have an idea of what Green sounds like.

Musically, Elaine MacKenzie combines the best of the jangle rock that R.E.M. had brought back into fashion by 1987. Coincidentally, R.E.M.’s sixth album in 1988 was titled Green …which prompted a response from Green, a song called “REM.”

Lyrically, this is just fun music. It’s not necessarily “moon, spoon, June” stuff …it’s also not overly complicated.

Elaine MacKenzie is very of its moment, 1987.

And yet it holds up surprisingly well.