Among the diamond-dripped rappers, barely-dressed pop princesses and deeply tormented nu-metal bands that represent the current music scene, there can be found four talented women who truly do rock. The Donnas are the California-native band that has recently busted out into the mainstream musical market.
The self-taught group has actually been around for about nine years, but it is not until the Oct. 22, 2002, release of Spend The Night, under the major label Atlantic Records, that it started receiving major recognition.
The ladies, Brett Anderson (Donna A.) on lead vocals, Allison Robertson (Donna R.) on guitar, Maya Ford (Donna F.) on bass and Torry Castellano (Donna C.) on drums, had four previous albums under the independent Lookout Records.
Since the group’s birth in 1992 as Ragedy Anne, an all-punk cover band, they morphed into the hard-metal Electrocutes, who you may have recognized in the movie “Drive Me Crazy,” and finally settled on rocking as The Donnas.
It is because of these multiple music personalities that The Donnas are able to have such a self-made, undefined sound. Often compared to the Runaways and Ramones, The Donnas do march to the beat of their own drummer.
Spend The Night is a 13-track, 39-minute array of feel-good party songs that force you to move at least some part of your body to the rhythm. There is a strong, solid drumbeat that holds the foundation for a smooth, pulsating bass and ripping guitar hooks.
Spend The Night showcases how The Donnas have really come into their own. The music is confident and mature, exuding a magnetic attraction.
“We wanted to make it sound as close to live as possible while still having the balls of a good studio album,” guitarist Donna R. told Rolling Stone. “Mostly we were concerned with making sure it kicked everybody else’s ass, everyone else that’s out right now.”
The album starts out with the throaty and pumping “It’s on the Rocks,” which is basically the girls kissing off a current boy toy with lyrics like, “We’re over I’m all done / Yeah it’s time to have some real fun / I’m gonna call all my ladies.”
Following is the popular “Take it Off,” and the ladies maintain the party persona throughout the rest of the album. In fact their lyrics have caused a buzz because some critics feel that they are just drunk party girls looking to get laid rather than serious musicians, with such lines as, “Don’t wanna go to the mall / Don’t wanna go to the movies / I think we’ve done it all / Just take me to the backseat.”
But some may tell those critics that that is the whole point! This is a party album, focused on having a good time and doing all those things that young people do. It is a breath of fresh air to have an album that doesn’t hold some deep secret meaning — it is just good rock, period.
The Donnas have created a masterful album that encompasses all the elements that make music great, and they have even realized the full diversity of the cowbell. Spend The Night will keep you rocking until the last minute — who could argue against that?
If you’re not familiar with The Donnas, this album would be an excellent first impression, and if you’re a long-time fan you will surely be proud when you see just how together this new album really is while still holding true to the group’s distinct sound.
The Donnas play at the Barrymore Theatre Friday, Feb. 14 with openers OK Go. Keep watching The Badger Herald for further coverage of the show.
