Grand Funk Railroad On Time CD

Although Grand Funk's first album, 1969's ON TIME, didn't contain as many instantly recognizable tracks as would future albums (1973's WE'RE AN AMERICAN BAND, for example), it's unquestionably one of the best hard rock debuts ever. While some bands honed their sound over the course of a few albums, GFR had already found its niche with ON TIME, which was one of the first albums to be termed "heavy metal." Sample a young and hungry Grand Funk, with highlights including "Anybody's Answer," "Into the Sun," "Time Machine," and "Are You Ready?"

Grand Funk Railroad's 1969 debut is a wildly uneven affair. Although the exuberant energy and power-trio theatrics that would fuel their 1970s hits are in place, the group's songwriting and arranging abilities are very much in their infancy. The biggest problems in terms of songwriting are the often-amateurish lyrics: "Anybody's Answer" is a sincere but muddled attempt at a message song that expends a lot of energy without ever focusing on a particular target and "Heartbreaker" is a love lament that is content to trot out a series of well-worn heartbreak clichés. In terms of arrangements, the band often places an aimless jam where a tight instrumental break should be. The standout example of this problem is "TNUC," a loose-limbed tune that wears out its welcome with an overlong and unstructured drum solo. Despite these problems, there are some strong tunes in the mix: "Are You Ready" is an exuberant rocker built on one of Mel Schacher's trademark walking basslines and "Into the Sun" is a clever tune that starts as a mellow mid-tempo jam before blossoming into a stomping rocker with a funky guitar riff. Both of these sturdy tunes appropriately became mainstays of Grand Funk Railroad's live show for many years to come. "Time Machine" is another highlight, a bluesy shuffle built on Mark Farner's wailing vocals and a catchy, stuttered guitar riff. All in all, On Time is way too patchy of an album to please the casual listener but provides a few hints of and contains enough worthwhile moments to please the group's fans. [The 2002 reissue contains two bonus tracks: the original versions of "High On a Horse" and "Heartbreaker".]~ Donald A. Guarisco

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Recorded at Cleveland Recording Company Studios, Cleveland, Ohio on April 16 & June 18-19, 1969. Originally released on Capitol (307). Includes liner notes by Steve Roeser.

Personnel: Mark Farner (vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano, keyboards); Don Brewer (vocals, drums); Mel Schacher (vocals).

Audio Mixer: Jimmy Hoyson.

Recording information: Cleveland Recording Company Studios (04/16/1969-06/19/1969).

Photographer: Barry Edmunds.

Grand Funk Railroad: Mark Farner (vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano); Don Bewer (vocals, drums); Mel Schacher (bass).