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| Grand Funk - We're An American Band |
 Released: 1973/2002 Label: Capitol Records Cat. No.: Total Time: 39:07 (+ bonuses) | |
Reviewed by: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, November 2002 After their dedicated followers went through the adjustment phase of a new member in the group and the new sound that Phoenix offered, Grand Funk was ready to take it all to the next level. What a better way to do it than bringing in the master of pop himself Todd Rundgren to produce the record? Rundgren made all the difference in the world once he got the band into the studio with their new material. With his well-known expertise of finely honing crafty rock-pop songs, he helped the boys from Michigan reach the vaunted status of superstars with We're An American Band. Todd was able to get the best out of each member of the band and utilize all of their talents to create a smash hit album. The title song hit the airwaves and it was an instant rock classic. No longer were they right on the edge of making big, they were there at last. Many of their followers felt disappointed with their decidedly pop sound, yet what this allowed for was a much wider all-inclusive audience. Personally, I have loved every phase of this band, they were a great band no matter what style of music they tried, and they always made everything they recorded with their heart and soul. "Walk Like Man (You Can Call Me Your Man)" was their next hit and it featured the booming rock voice of drummer Don Brewer. Rundgren used Farner and Brewer with equal measure, and at other times to compliment each other in a song. It was magical and the sound was incredible. I remember getting the single of "We're An American Band" in yellow vinyl; they also issued the album in a limited number in that color. I imagine that today it would fetch a nice price tag. I also always enjoyed the funky rapid-fire keyboards in "Stop Lookin' Back," and "The Railroad" was goose pimple time for me every time I heard it, and it still creates the same feelings and emotions. Now that this great album is available as a remastered release, it sounds better than ever. You get four bonus tracks on this reissue, a generous offering for the collector and diehard fan. Grand Funk once again dug in and proved to be one of the best bands in the world with this album. They survived the test of time and change to grab the prize that so elusively evaded them for so long. I think they deserved all the rewards and successes that came with making a hit album. Moreover, they were not done yet. Rating: 5/5 More about We're An American Band: Track Listing: Creepin' (7:01) / The Railroad (6:07) / Black Licorice (4:43) / Loneliest Rider (5:19) / Walk Like A Man (You Can Call Me Your Man) (4:03) / Ain't Got Nobody (4:19) / Stop Lookin' Back (4:51) / We're an American Band (3:25) / Bonus Tracks: Hooray / The End / Stop Lookin' Back / We're An American Band Musicians: Contact: Website: www.grandfunkrailroad.com Discography
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