So what do you get when you mix bands like The Ramones, The Runaways, Girlschool, AC/DC, Guns N Roses, KISS, and throw in a dash of Motörhead? You get The Donnas who are the next band on the chopping block. Until recently, they’ve been kind of a guilty pleasure band but they’ve always put out solid rock records so let’s take a look……
The Donnas- so I hadn’t really heard this album until this review and when you go on Spotify, their albums are all out of order and it said it was released in 2020 but I guess that is the remastered version. Now as far the album itself is concerned, it’s got a punk sound. The songs are really only about 1 1/2 minutes or so and they are fast like most punk songs. I did find that it did seem like a long album and there are about 23 songs but again they are all pretty short and the album clocks in at about 40 minutes. Overall not a bad start and I will say they sound really young on this record too. I give this record 8/10
Standouts: Let’s Go Mano!, I Don’t Wanna Go To School, Drive In
American Teenage Rock N Roll Machine- this one sort of continues with the same sound as the self titled only there are rock elements with the punk sound. This album is actually a lot shorter than the last one with it only being about 20 minutes and only having about 10 songs. Again they sound really young here but there is definitely a Runaways/Joan Jett influence on here too. A great follow up record and I give it 8.5/10
Standouts: You Make Me Hot, Looking For Blood, Gimme My Radio
Get Skintight- this one continues the punk meets hard rock sound. I feel like here, the songs don’t really deviate too much from the last album however, the band seems to be tighter and a little more focused. The songs have a bit more structure to them and on here you can hear the music maturing as well. This is another fantastic record and a great follow up. There is even a great cover of the Motley Crüe song Too Fast For Love. I give it 8.5/10
Standouts: Hyperactive, Searching the Streets, Too Fast For Love
The Donnas Turn 21- so this one is less of a punk pop record and more of a hard rock record. This was my introduction to them as well. I remember being in I think a Blockbuster music and they had one of those tables where you could listen to albums before you buy and I remember actually really liking this record. It was recommended by one of the workers because I was in search of just a great hard rock album. Why this was recommended I’m not sure but either way, a great recommendation however, I don’t remember actually purchasing it. Again there isn’t really any punk sound and this one really shows the talent of the band. Allison Robertson’s guitar playing is awesome as are the vocals from Brett Anderson. Definitely a great record to start with if you are looking for a great modern hard rock record or if you are interested in listening to this band. There is also a badass cover of Judas Priests Living After Midnight. I give it 9/10
Standouts: Do You Want To Hit It, 40 Boys in 40 Nights, Living After Midnight
Spend The Night- again this one continues with the hard rock sound that was present on the last album. This was the first album I bought from them and I remember actually getting it in the used rock section at Amoeba in Hollywood. This one is actually one of my favorites from them. It’s a simple no nonsense rock record that isn’t overly complex. The songs are fun and it doesn’t slow down at all. I give it 10/10
Standouts: It’s On The Rocks, Take Me To The Backseat, Dirty Denim
Gold Medal- this is that album that features the song Fall Behind Me which was on so many commercials in 2005/2006. Personally, it’s not quite as strong as the last album but it’s definitely worth listening too. Of all their albums so far, this one is probably the most slowed down album and the most mature one. The party lyrics and song titles are pretty much gone but the guitar playing is probably the most complex. Overall, a great rock record and I give it 8.5/10
Standouts: I Don’t Want To Know, The Gold Medal, Revolver
Bitchin’- for some reason I kind of stopped listening to them after Gold Medal and I’m kind of sorry I did because this is a great album. There is something different going on with Brett’s vocals on this and I think it’s the way they were produced. No it’s not as catchy as an album like Spend The Night but the entire band is firing on all cylinders here. It’s part Spend the Night and part Gold Medal. Sadly, this would be the last album from The Donnas and drummer Tory Castellano would be forced to quit the band on tour due to a shoulder injury. A great final record from a great rock band. I give it 9.5/10
Standouts: What Do I Have To Do, Don’t Wait Up For Me, Smoke You Out
If you are looking for a fun straightforward rock band, then this is the band for you. It’s really too bad that they had to break up because I really would’ve liked to have at least one or two more new albums from them. This is another one of those bands where I had the chance to see them live but didn’t because I figured I’d see them on the next tour. Maybe some day they will reunite and play shows but until then, we have these great albums.
Album Rankings:
- Spend the Night
- American Teenage Rock N Roll Machine
- Bitchin’
- The Donnas Turn 21
- Get Skintight
- Gold Medal
- The Donnas
Sinister Reviews 