Grand Funk Railroad - E Pluribus Funk

As I've raved before, GFRR was a fave band of mine right up through "We're An American Band", though they certainly started to go downhill not long after that. Their first couple of albums were obviously highly influential in the grunge and punk'n'roll scenes and are as mean'n'nasty today as the day they were released. By the time that this, their 5th studio album (and last to be produced by Terry Knight), was recorded, they were a bit slicker, but still a tough rockin' Detroit r'n'r outfit.

Opening with the fantastic organ-driven (and appropriately titled) "Footstompin' Music", they show that they were still filled with groovy high-energy that was guaranteed to get an audience moving! They have a funky protest song (remember, this was still 1971) in "People, Let's Stop The War", where Mark and Don trade vocals, and this feel continues - in a more upbeat and bluesy way (dig Mark's harp playing!) - in "Upsetter". "I Come Tumblin'" is another fine piece of wild Detroit r'n'r with Mark riffin' for all he's worth, but also still playing with dynamics in a quieter bridge section that bursts back in with cymbals smashes and "Oh! Yeahs!"

Side two of the vinyl opened with the drivin' environmentalist anthem "Save the Land", followed by a somewhat slower groove in "No Lies" where Mark lets out some fierce leads. I know that he was knocked at the time because he wasn't a slick, Jimmy Page-type soloist, but I love his wah-ed, distorted, on-the-edge licks! The album closed with the lengthy, darkly moody "Loneliness", another paean to the environment, complete with full orchestration. At just under 9 minutes, this can get a bit much, though thankfully there are enough changes so it isn't too predictable - the upbeat instrumental bridge being a highlight (though the symphonic ending goes on a bit long).

Bonus tracks on the CD include a live medley from Dayton, Ohio, recorded in '71 of "I'm Your Captain"/"Closer To Home"/"Hooked on Love"/"Get It Together", which really works in a live setting - I dig the lack of strings here, myself. Don & Mel get a rhythm section workout in a live from Detroit "Mark Says Alright" and Mark also cuts loose, of course. as they thrash in a maniacal style here - a great ending!

While not the best GFRR album, this is right up there and is something any lover of Detroit r'n'r should own!