We're an American Band

We're An American Band
Studio album by Grand Funk Railroad
Released July 15, 1973 (1973-07-15)[1]
Recorded June 12–15, 1973 at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida
Genre Hard rock
Length 39:48
Label Capitol
Producer Todd Rundgren
Grand Funk Railroad chronology
Phoenix
(1972)		 We're An American Band
(1973)		 Shinin' On
(1974)
Singles from We're An American Band
  1. "We're an American Band"
    Released: July 2, 1973 (1973-07-02)[2]
  2. "Walk Like a Man"
    Released: October 29, 1973 (1973-10-29)[2]
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [3]
Robert Christgau (B-)[4]

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 (see 1973 in music) and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America a little over a month after its release.[1] Two singles were released from the album. The first single, "We're an American Band", was released on July 2, 1973 and the second, "Walk Like a Man", was released on October 29, 1973.[2]

The album has been reissued many times and is currently available in the Compact Disc format.

The album is #200 of the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) Definitive 200 albums of all time.

Contents

Recording, production, artwork, and packaging

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, before the band switched to Jimmy Ienner.

The original issue was on a translucent yellow disk. The label, 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, largely for legal reasons, the word "Railroad" does not appear anywhere on the album sleeve, liner, or vinyl record.

Reception

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, although Shinin' On and Grand Funk Hits would both receive higher ratings.[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]

Track listing

  1. "We're an American Band" (Don Brewer) – 3:27
  2. "Stop Lookin' Back" (Brewer, Mark Farner) – 4:52
  3. "Creepin'" (Farner) – 7:02
  4. "Black Licorice" (Brewer, Farner) – 4:45
  5. "The Railroad" (Farner) – 6:12
  6. "Ain't Got Nobody" (Brewer, Farner) – 4:26
  7. "Walk Like a Man" (Brewer, Farner) – 4:05
  8. "Loneliest Rider" (Farner) – 5:17

2002 reissue bonus tracks:

  1. "Hooray" (Brewer, Farner) – 4:05
  2. "The End" (Brewer, Farner) – 4:11
  3. "Stop Lookin' Back (Acoustic Mix)" (Brewer, Farner) – 3:04
  4. "We're an American Band [2002 Remix]" (Brewer) – 3:32

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1973) Peak
position
Canadian Top Albums[5] 4
German Albums[6] 46
Norwegian Top 40 Albums[7] 12
US Billboard 200[8] 2

References

  1. ^ a b "Gold & Platinum Searchable Database" (PHP). Recording Industry Association of America. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?content_selector=gold-platinum-searchable-database.  Search for "Heartbreakers" to see results.
  2. ^ a b c Tedds, David K. (2006). Album notes for Greatest Hits by Grand Funk Railroad [CD liner]. Hollywood, California, United States: Capitol Records (509992-34915-26).
  3. ^ a b Ruhlmann, William. "Review: We're an American Band by Grand Funk Railroad". Allmusic. United States: Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r8497/review. Retrieved July 8, 2011. 
  4. ^ a b Christgau, Robert. "Grand Funk (Extended): Consumer Guide Reviews" (PHP). Robert Christgau. http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist2.php?id=2961. Retrieved July 8, 2011. 
  5. ^ "100 Albums" (PHP). RPM Vol. 20 (No. 10): p. 10. October 20, 1973. ISSN 0315-5994. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.4920&type=2&interval=50&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3. Retrieved July 8, 2011. 
  6. ^ "Album – Grand Funk, We Are an American Band" (in German) (ASP). Media Control Charts. http://www.charts.de/album.asp?artist=Grand+Funk&title=We+Are+An+American+Band&cat=a&country=de. Retrieved July 8, 2011. 
  7. ^ "Grand Funk – We Are an American Band (Album)" (ASP). Norwegian Charts. Hung Medien. http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Grand+Funk&titel=We+Are+An+American+Band&cat=a. Retrieved July 8, 2011. 
  8. ^ "Grand Funk Railroad: Charts & Awards – Billboard Albums". Allmusic. United States: Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p4392/charts-awards/billboard-albums. Retrieved July 8, 2011. 
Grand Funk Railroad
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilations
Singles
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