Similar Albums:
- Artist: Grand Funk Railroad
- Rating:
- Release Date: 1973 11
- Total Time: 39:48
- Genre: Rock
Review
Having made several changes in their business and musical efforts in 1972, Grand Funk Railroad made even more extensive ones in 1973, beginning with their name, which was officially truncated to "Grand Funk." And keyboardist Craig Frost, credited as a sideman on Phoenix, the previous album, was now a full-fledged bandmember, filling out the musical arrangements. The most notable change, however, came with the hiring of Todd Rundgren to produce the band's eighth album. Rundgren, a pop/rock artist in his own right, was also known for his producing abilities, and he gave Grand Funk exactly what they were looking for: We're an American Band sounded nothing like its muddy, plodding predecessors. Sonically, the record was sharp and detailed and the band's playing was far tighter and more accomplished. Most important, someone, whether the band or Rundgren, decided that gruff-voiced drummer Don Brewer should be employed as a lead singer as often as guitarist Mark Farner. Brewer also contributed more as a songwriter, and the results were immediate. The album's title song, an autobiographical account of life on the road written and sung by Brewer, was released in advance of the album and became a gold-selling number one hit, Grand Funk's first really successful single. Despite the band's previous popularity, for many, it must have been the first Grand Funk record they either heard or bought. Elsewhere on the album, Farner contributed his usual wailing vocals and guitar, singing of his heartfelt, if simpleminded, political concerns. But We're an American Band really belonged to Brewer and Rundgren, and its success constituted a redefinition of Grand Funk that came just in time. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music GuideTracks
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| We're an American Band | Grand Funk Railroad | (3:25) | |
| Stop Lookin' Back | Grand Funk Railroad | (4:51) | |
| Creepin' | Mark Farner | Grand Funk Railroad | (7:01) |
| Black Licorice | Grand Funk Railroad | (4:43) | |
| The Railroad | Mark Farner | Grand Funk Railroad | (6:07) |
| Ain't Got Nobody | Mark Farner, |
Grand Funk Railroad | (4:19) |
| Walk Like a Man (You Can Call Me Your Man) | Grand Funk Railroad | (4:03) | |
| Loneliest Rider | Mark Farner | Grand Funk Railroad | (5:19) |
