We're an American Band is the seventh studio album by American hard rock band Grand Funk Railroad, credited as Grand Funk. The album was released by Capitol Records on July 15, 1973, and was certified gold by the RIAA a little over a month after its release.[1] Two singles were released from the album. The title track was the first single from the album released on July 2, 1973 and the second, "Walk Like a Man", was released on October 29, 1973.[2] Both were sung by drummer Don Brewer. There was also an addition to the band's membership with this release - Craig Frost - who played the organ, clavinet and Moog. Prior to We're an American Band being released, Grand Funk Railroad had been a power trio. Craig was credited as an additional musician on Phoenix, which was released the previous year.
| We're an American Band | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 15, 1973[1] | |||
| Recorded | June 12–15, 1973 | |||
| Studio | Criteria, Miami | |||
| Genre | Hard rock | |||
| Length | 39:48 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Producer | Todd Rundgren | |||
| Grand Funk Railroad chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from We're an American Band | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | B−[4] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide |  [5] |
The album cover was originally covered in gold-colored foil on the outside, and the initial run of pressings were pressed in clear, dark yellow vinyl to simulate or suggest a "gold" record. The album has been reissued many times and is currently available in the Compact Disc format. A Quadraphonic mix of the album was available in the Quadraphonic 8-Track cartridge format.
The album is #200 of the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) Definitive 200 albums of all time.
Recording, production, artwork, and packaging edit
We're an American Band was the group's first collaboration with producer-engineer Todd Rundgren. Rundgren and the band recorded the album at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida on June 13–15, 1973. Rundgren would go on to produce the band's next album, Shinin' On (1974), before the band switched to Jimmy Ienner.
The album's original issue, as well as the "We're an American Band" single, was on translucent yellow vinyl, symbolic of a 'Gold record'. The album labels, above the side numbers, instructed listeners to play "at full volume". It included four stickers (two blue, and two red) with the Grand Funk "Pointing Finger" logo. Emphasizing the shortening of the group's name, the word "Railroad" does not appear anywhere on the album sleeve, liner, or vinyl record, except as the title of the first song on side two of the album.
Reception edit
Upon the album's release, We're an American Band became the band's best received album by critics, so far. Robert Christgau gave the album a B−, his highest rating for a Grand Funk Railroad album at the time (although Shinin' On (1974) and Grand Funk Hits (1976) would receive a B and B+, respectively).[4] A modern review of the album by William Ruhlmann for AllMusic stated that the album was a departure from the band's usual material, which was mostly due to Todd Rundgren's production and Don Brewer's increase in lead vocal work. Ruhlmann also said that the album sounded more professional than their previous ones.[3]
It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200, the band's highest position on the chart, but spent one week at number 1 on the Cash Box, and Record World album charts.[6]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "We're an American Band" | Don Brewer | Brewer | 3:27 |
| 2. | "Stop Lookin' Back" | Brewer, Mark Farner | Brewer | 4:52 |
| 3. | "Creepin'" | Farner | Farner | 7:02 |
| 4. | "Black Licorice" | Brewer, Farner | Brewer | 4:45 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | "The Railroad" | Farner | Farner | 6:12 |
| 6. | "Ain't Got Nobody" | Brewer, Farner | Farner | 4:26 |
| 7. | "Walk Like a Man" | Brewer, Farner | Brewer | 4:05 |
| 8. | "Loneliest Rider" | Farner | Farner | 5:17 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9. | "Hooray" | Brewer, Farner | Brewer and Farner | 4:05 |
| 10. | "The End" | Brewer, Farner | Brewer | 2:49 |
| 11. | "Stop Looking Back" (acoustic mix) | Brewer, Farner | Brewer | 3:04 |
| 12. | "We're an American Band" (2002 remix) | Brewer | Brewer | 3:32 |
Personnel edit
Per sleeve notes[7]
Grand Funk Railroad (credited as Grand Funk) edit
- Mark Farner – vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, conga; electric piano on "Creepin'"
- Craig Frost – organ, clavinet, electric piano, Moog
- Mel Schacher – bass
- Don Brewer – vocals, drums, percussion
Production edit
Per sleeve notes[7]
- Todd Rundgren – producer, engineer
- Francesco Damanti – engineer
- Seth Snyder – assistant engineer
- Lynn Goldsmith & Andrew Cavaliere – album design and concept
- Lynn Goldsmith – photography
- John Hoernle – art direction
- Andrew Cavaliere – management
Charts edit
| Chart (1973) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia[8] | 27
|
| Canadian Top Albums[9] | 4 |
| German Albums[10] | 46 |
| Norwegian Top 40 Albums[11] | 12 |
| US Billboard 200[12] | 2 |
| US Cash Box Top 100 Albums[6] | 1 |
| US Record World Album Chart[13] | 1 |
- Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | "We're an American Band" | Billboard Hot 100[14] | 1 |
| Canada | 4 | ||
| Australia | 87 | ||
| "Walk Like a Man" | Billboard Hot 100[15] | 19 | |
| Canada | 16 |
References edit
- ^ a b "Gold & Platinum Searchable Database" (PHP). Recording Industry Association of America. Search for "Heartbreakers" to see results.
- ^ a b c Tedds, David K. (2006). Greatest Hits (CD liner). Grand Funk Railroad. Hollywood, California, United States: Capitol Records. 509992-34915-26.
- ^ a b Ruhlmann, William. "Review: We're an American Band by Grand Funk Railroad". AllMusic. United States: Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
- ^ a b Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: G". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved February 24, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 286–287.
- ^ a b "CASH BOX MAGAZINE: Music and coin machine magazine 1942 to 1996". worldradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2020-07-05.
- ^ a b We're An American Band (vinyl sleeve). Grand Funk Railroad. Capitol Records. 1973. inner left sleeve.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 128. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "100 Albums" (PHP). RPM. Vol. 20, no. 10. October 20, 1973. p. 10. ISSN 0315-5994. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
- ^ "Album – Grand Funk, We Are an American Band" (ASP). Media Control Charts (in German). Retrieved July 8, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Grand Funk – We Are an American Band (Album)" (ASP). Norwegian Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
- ^ "Grand Funk Railroad: Charts & Awards – Billboard Albums". Allmusic. United States: Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
- ^ "RECORD WORLD MAGAZINE: 1942 to 1982". worldradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2020-07-05.
- ^ Grand Funk Railroad, "We're An American Band" Chart Position Retrieved March 24, 2015
- ^ Grand Funk Railroad, "Walk Like a Man" Chart Position Retrieved March 24, 2015