We're an American Band: Difference between revisions

We're an American Band
We're an American Band
Studio album by Grand Funk Railroad
Released	July 1973
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
	"We're an American Band"/"Creepin'"; Released: July 2, 1973; "Walk Like a Man"/"The Railroad"; Released: October 29, 1973;

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Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[3]
Christgau's Record Guide	B−^[4]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	^[5]

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 in July 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.

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

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

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

Side one
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

Side two
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

2002 bonus tracks
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

Per sleeve notes^[7]

Grand Funk Railroad (credited as Grand Funk)

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

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

2002 Remaster

David K. Tedds – produced & compiled for reissue by, bonus track mix engineer
Kevin Flaherty – supervising A&R producer
John Hendrickson – bonus track mix engineer
Jimmy Hoyson – bonus track mix engineer
Evren Göknar – mastering engineer
Steve Roeser – liner notes

Charts

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
	"Walk Like a Man"	Canada	16

References

^ ^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

[RIAA-1] "Gold & Platinum Searchable Database" (PHP). Recording Industry Association of America. Search for "Heartbreakers" to see results.

[Hits-2] Tedds, David K. (2006). Greatest Hits (CD liner). Grand Funk Railroad. Hollywood, California, United States: Capitol Records. 509992-34915-26.

[AMR-3] Ruhlmann, William. "Review: We're an American Band by Grand Funk Railroad". AllMusic. United States: Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 8, 2011.

[RC-4] 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.

[RS-5] The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 286–287.

[:4-6] "CASH BOX MAGAZINE: Music and coin machine magazine 1942 to 1996". worldradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2020-07-05.

[notes-7] 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)

[aus-8] 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.

[9] "100 Albums" (PHP). RPM. Vol. 20, no. 10. October 20, 1973. p. 10. ISSN 0315-5994. Retrieved July 8, 2011.

[10] "Album – Grand Funk, We Are an American Band" (ASP). Media Control Charts (in German). Retrieved July 8, 2011.^{[dead link‍]}

[11] "Grand Funk – We Are an American Band (Album)" (ASP). Norwegian Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 8, 2011.

[12] "Grand Funk Railroad: Charts & Awards – Billboard Albums". Allmusic. United States: Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 8, 2011.

[:5-13] "RECORD WORLD MAGAZINE: 1942 to 1982". worldradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2020-07-05.

[14] Grand Funk Railroad, "We're An American Band" Chart Position Retrieved March 24, 2015

[15] Grand Funk Railroad, "Walk Like a Man" Chart Position Retrieved March 24, 2015

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@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 | type       = studio
 | artist     = [[Grand Funk Railroad]]
-| cover      = GFR American.jpg
+| cover      = Grand Funk Railroad We're an American Band album cover.jpg
 | alt        =
-| released   = {{Start date|1973|07|15}}<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?content_selector=gold-platinum-searchable-database |title=Gold & Platinum Searchable Database |work=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |format=PHP}} Search for "Heartbreakers" to see results.</ref>
+| released   = {{Start date|1973|07}}<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?content_selector=gold-platinum-searchable-database |title=Gold & Platinum Searchable Database |work=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |format=PHP}} Search for "Heartbreakers" to see results.</ref>
 | recorded   = June 12–15, 1973
 | venue      =
-| studio     = [[Criteria Studios|Criteria]] (Miami)
+| studio     = [[Criteria Studios|Criteria]], Miami
 | genre      = [[Hard rock]]
 | length     = {{Duration|m=39|s=48}}
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 }}
 }}
-{{Album ratings
+{{Music ratings
 | rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
 | rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="AMR">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r8497|tab=review|pure_url=yes}} |title=Review: ''We're an American Band'' by Grand Funk Railroad |last=Ruhlmann |first=William |work=[[AllMusic]] |publisher=[[Rovi Corporation]] |location=[[United States]] |access-date=July 8, 2011}}</ref>
@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 }}
-'''''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|RIAA]] a little over a month after its release.<ref name="RIAA" /> Two singles were released from the album. The first single, "[[We're an American Band (song)|We're an American Band]]", was released on July 2, 1973 and the second, "[[Walk Like a Man (Grand Funk Railroad song)|Walk Like a Man]]", was released on October 29, 1973.<ref name="Hits" /> Both singles were sung by drummer Don Brewer.  There is an addition to the band on this release - Craig Frost - who plays the organ, clavinet and Moog.  Craig was credited as an additional musician on ''Phoenix'' which was released the previous year.
+'''''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]] in July 1973, and was [[Music recording certification|certified]] [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] a little over a month after its release.<ref name="RIAA" /> Two [[Single (music)|singles]] were released from the album. The [[We're an American Band (song)|title track]] was the first single from the album released on July 2, 1973 and the second, "[[Walk Like a Man (Grand Funk Railroad song)|Walk Like a Man]]", was released on October 29, 1973.<ref name="Hits" /> 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 synthesizer|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 (Grand Funk Railroad album)|Phoenix]]'', which was released the previous year.
-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 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==
-''We're an American Band'' was the group's first collaboration with [[Record producer|producer]]/[[Audio engineering|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]].
+''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 '[[Music recording sales certification|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.
+The album's original issue, as well as the "We're an American Band" single, was on [[translucent]] yellow vinyl, [[symbol]]ic of a '[[Music recording sales certification|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==
-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).<ref name="RC" /> 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.<ref name="AMR" />
+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).<ref name="RC" /> 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.<ref name="AMR" />
-It peaked at number 2 on the [[Billboard 200|''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.<ref name=":4" />
+It peaked at number 2 on the [[Billboard 200|''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.<ref name=":4" />
 ==Track listing==
@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 | extra4          = Brewer
 }}
+{{track listing
-{{tracklist
 | extra_column    = Lead vocals
 | headline        = Side two
@@ Line 94: / Line 94: @@
 }}
 {{Track listing
-| collapsed       = yes
 | headline        = 2002 bonus tracks
 | extra_column    = Lead vocals
@@ Line 120: / Line 119: @@
 ''Per sleeve notes''<ref name="notes">{{cite AV media notes |title=We're An American Band |title-link=We're an American Band |others=Grand Funk Railroad |year=1973 |at=inner left sleeve |type=vinyl sleeve |publisher=Capitol Records }}</ref>
+=== Grand Funk Railroad (credited as Grand Funk) ===
 * [[Mark Farner]] – vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, [[conga]]; electric piano on "Creepin'"
 * [[Craig Frost]] – organ, [[clavinet]], electric piano, [[Moog synthesizer|Moog]]
@@ Line 125: / Line 125: @@
 * [[Don Brewer]] – vocals, drums, percussion
-==Production==
+=== Production ===
 ''Per sleeve notes''<ref name="notes"/>
 * [[Todd Rundgren]] – [[Record producer|producer]], [[Audio engineering|engineer]]
@@ Line 134: / Line 134: @@
 * John Hoernle – [[art direction]]
 * Andrew Cavaliere – [[management]]
+=== 2002 Remaster ===
+* David K. Tedds – produced & compiled for reissue by, bonus track mix engineer
+* Kevin Flaherty – supervising A&R producer
+* John Hendrickson – bonus track mix engineer
+* Jimmy Hoyson – bonus track mix engineer
+* Evren Göknar – mastering engineer
+* Steve Roeser – liner notes
 ==Charts==

v t e Grand Funk Railroad
Don Brewer Mel Schacher Max Carl Bruce Kulick Tim Cashion Mark Farner Terry Knight Peter Frampton Craig Frost Dennis Bellinger Lance Ong Rick Baker Howard Eddy, Jr. Stanley Sheldon
Studio albums	On Time Grand Funk Closer to Home Survival E Pluribus Funk Phoenix We're an American Band Shinin' On All the Girls in the World Beware!!! Born to Die Good Singin', Good Playin' Grand Funk Lives What's Funk?
Unofficial albums	Monumental Funk
Live albums	Live Album Caught in the Act Bosnia Live: The 1971 Tour
Compilations	Mark, Don & Mel: 1969–71 Grand Funk Hits Capitol Collectors Series Thirty Years of Funk: 1969–1999 Classic Masters Greatest Hits
Singles	"Inside Looking Out" "I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home)" "Feelin' Alright?" "Gimme Shelter" "We're an American Band" "Walk Like a Man" "The Loco-Motion" "Shinin' On" "Some Kind of Wonderful" "Bad Time"
Related	Discography Terry Knight Terry Knight and the Pack