Review
by William Ruhlmann
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.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/were-an-american-band-mw0000233142
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Revisión
por William Ruhlmann
Después de haber hecho varios cambios en sus esfuerzos comerciales y musicales en 1972, Grand Funk Railroad hizo otros aún más extensos en 1973, comenzando con su nombre, que se truncó oficialmente a "Grand Funk"."Y el tecladista Craig Frost, acreditado como acompañante en Phoenix, el álbum anterior, ahora era un miembro de la banda de pleno derecho, completando los arreglos musicales. El cambio más notable, sin embargo, llegó con la contratación de Todd Rundgren para producir el octavo álbum de la banda. Rundgren, un artista de pop / rock por derecho propio, también era conocido por sus habilidades de producción, y le dio al Grand Funk exactamente lo que estaban buscando: Somos una banda estadounidense que no sonaba como sus predecesores fangosos y pesados. Sonoramente, el disco fue nítido y detallado y la interpretación de la banda fue mucho más ajustada y lograda. Lo más importante es que alguien, ya sea la banda o Rundgren, decidió que el baterista de voz ronca Don Brewer debería ser empleado como cantante principal con la misma frecuencia que el guitarrista Mark Farner. Brewer también contribuyó más como compositor, y los resultados fueron inmediatos.
La canción que da título al álbum, un relato autobiográfico de la vida en la carretera escrito y cantado por Brewer, fue lanzado antes del álbum y se convirtió en un éxito número uno en ventas de oro, el primer sencillo realmente exitoso de Grand Funk. A pesar de la popularidad anterior de la banda, para muchos, debe haber sido el primer disco de Grand Funk que escucharon o compraron. En otras partes del álbum, Farner contribuyó con su habitual voz y guitarra, cantando sus sinceras, aunque ingenuas, preocupaciones políticas. Pero somos una Banda Estadounidense que realmente pertenecía a Brewer y Rundgren, y su éxito constituyó una redefinición del Gran Funk que llegó justo a tiempo.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/were-an-american-band-mw0000233142
1 - We're An American Band
Written-By – Mark Farner
2 - Stop Lookin' Back
Written-By – Don Brewer, Mark Farner
3 - Creepin'
Electric Piano – Mark Farner
Written-By – Mark Farner
4 - Black Licorice
Written-By – Don Brewer, Mark Farner
5 - The Railroad
Written-By – Mark Farner
6 - Ain't Got Nobody
Written-By – Don Brewer, Mark Farner
7 - Walk Like A Man
Written-By – Don Brewer, Mark Farner
8 - Loneliest Rider
Written-By – Mark Farner
- Bonus Tracks:
9 - Hooray
Written-By – Don Brewer, Mark Farner
10 - The End
Written-By – Don Brewer, Mark Farner
11 - Stop Lookin' Back (Acoustic Mix)
Written-By – Don Brewer, Mark Farner
12 - We're An American Band (2002 Remix)
Written-By – Don Brewer
Credits:
Art Direction – John Hoernle
Bass – Mel Schacher
Design Concept, Design – Andrew Cavaliere, Lynn Goldsmith
Engineer – Todd Rundgren
Engineer [Assisted] – Seth Snyder
Liner Notes – Steve Roeser
Mastered By – Evren Göknar
Organ, Clavinet, Electric Piano, Synthesizer [Moog] – Craig Frost
Producer – Todd Rundgren
Reissue Producer, Compiled By – David K. Tedds
Vocals, Drums, Percussion – Don Brewer
Vocals, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Congas – Mark Farner
Recorded in June 1973 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Label: Capitol Records – 72435-41726-2-5, Capitol Records – 5417262
Format:
CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered
Country: US
Released: 2002
Genre: Rock
Style: Classic Rock
https://www.discogs.com/release/5054758-Grand-Funk-Were-An-American-Band
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