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Rating:
When I talk to someone about the Grand Funk Railroad, most people don't even know what I'm talking about, which makes me realize we're really in bad shape if they don't know what I consider one of the greatest hard rock bands of the '70s. Technique, pathos, power, and sweetness, these are the characteristics that can be found in the works of this great group.
But let's get to this album released in 1972. Right from the start, you understand you're in the presence of a formation gifted with incredible skill and creativity; in fact, the opener "Flight Of The Phoenix" is a concentration of power and technique, with a keyboard base that is something frightening, comparable only to the best performances of Ken Hensley and John Lord. But every track on this album is, in my opinion, a gem that fits perfectly with the others throughout the entire listening of the record. A positive aspect of this album is that, beyond the logical predominance of hard rock, the band manages perfectly, without falling into repetitiveness, to incorporate blues, soul, and rock & roll melodies, making it more interesting and more complete.
As for the individual performances, the level is extremely high on all fronts, with the music at moments being devastating while still being able to smoothly transition to significantly softer phases with an impressive ease. The performance of singer Mark Farner is outstanding throughout the album, without excess and with exceptional charisma. The background vocals are also well arranged, always in the right place and again without exaggeration.
In conclusion, it's an album that absolutely must be owned, beautiful throughout its duration, music in its purest form, to make your stereo speakers explode.
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
01 Flight of the Phoenix (03:40)
Oooo-oooo, oooo-oooo
Oooo-oooo, oooo-oooo
Oooo-oooo, oooo-oooo
Oooo-oooo, oooo-oooo, oooo-oooo, oooo-oooo, oooo-oooo
(repeat to fade)
03 Someone (04:05)
Why, oh why, oh why should I care for someone,
Who doesn't care for me?
I played the game I was subject of, it was all in vain 'cause I fell in love with someone,
Who doesn't care for me, for me.
I hate the game and what it costs, to feel the pain for the love I lost to someone,
Who doesn't care for me.
Why should I even care for someone,
Who doesn't really care for me?
I'm not excited lovin' someone,
Who doesn't really care for me.
Ohhh, ohhh, ohhh ...
Ohhh, ohhh ...
Ohhh ...
Ohhh, ohhh, ohhh ...
Ohhh, ohhh, ohhh ...
Ohhh, ohhh ...
I've come to think that I never learn, it feels so bad 'cause I yearn and yearn for someone,
Who doesn't care for me.
Why, oh why, oh why should I care for someone,
Who doesn't care for me?
Who doesn't care for me.
Who doesn't care for me.
06 I Just Gotta Know (03:55)
Hey, people are you ready to get in the streets,
To be your own police?
Are you ready to start tonight,
To stand up and fight for your rights?
CHORUS
Woah ... oh, I gotta' know.
I gotta' know.
I gotta' know.
I gotta' know.
Young people would you do the patriotic thing?
Are you ready to stand up and sing,
That you're tired of the war and all that shit?
Oh, tell me, are you ready to do your bit?
CHORUS
You gotta' take a stand,
Give your brother a helping hand.
We got to start today,
So tomorrow our kids can play.
We better do what's right,
So we don't have to fight,
No more.
'Bout the only way I see that we can change the plan,
Is to vote and get our man.
The man whose not afraid,
And one whose not over-paid.
CHORUS
You gotta' take a stand,
Give your brother a helping hand.
We got to start today,
So tomorrow our kids can play.
We better do what's right,
So we don't have to fight,
No more.
10 Rock & Roll Soul (03:32)
We're having a party, yeah, yeah, everybody's invited,
The new generation along with the old.
If you could get with it just a little more, it don't take much tryin',
You'll find out if you've got some rock & roll soul, baby.
Ain't everybody in the world. So when you know what you got, let everybody know,
You got some rock & roll soul.
So when you know what you got, let everybody know,
You got some rock & roll soul.
I know it when I'm feelin' groovy,
It's kind of funky like an old-time movie.
I can feel it and it's really something,
It's really something when my heart starts pumpin', yeah.
Tell everybody you know, you got some rock 'n roll soul.
Tell everybody you know, you got some rock 'n roll soul.
Tell everybody you know, you got some rock 'n roll soul.
Tell everybody you know, you got some rock 'n roll soul.
Tell everybody you know, you got some rock 'n roll soul.
Tell everybody you know, you got some rock 'n roll soul.
Tell everybody you know, you got some rock 'n roll soul.
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