Grand Funk Railroad - On Time (1968)

Whilst perhaps not over familiar to UK rock fans, Grand Funk Railroad were absolutely huge in their native USA and this, their first studio album, whilst not fully displaying their full rock side that would be at its peak during the early 1970s, gives a strong indication of what is to come and is well-worth a listen.

From the opening ‘Are Your Ready?’, the band go through a series of powerful riff-based tracks with Mark Ferner’s driving guitar being ably backed up by simple thunderous drumming and inventive bass-lines: think Cream crossed with MC5 and you’ll get the idea of what to expect.

Certainly a pioneering record in its day, whilst the production is clear, the sound of the instruments – limited by the technology of time – somewhat dates this record but the songs themselves stand up well and from this album were developed many of the band’s powerful rock anthems in their 1970s live set, to which the clip of Heartbreaker below truly attests.

• Mark Farner – Guitars, Vocals
• Don Brewer – Drums, Vocals
• Mel Schacher – Bass guitar