The Donnas

In the wake of 2002's Spend the Night, the biggest-selling platter of their career, the Donnas have discovered maturity the way some seekers find religion. The ladies from Palo Alto recently ditched their Ramones-like pseudonyms in favor of their given names and transitioned musically from semi-novelty punkettes to sturdy pros with an occasionally glammy edge. Thanks to these changes, they sound more proficient than ever on Gold Medal -- but that proves to be a mixed blessing.

Related Content

• California Cafe closes in Park Meadows
  January 3, 2012
• National food critics dish out tweets on their Denver meals
  January 30, 2012
• Denver ranks as the third most socially networked city in America
  March 17, 2011
• Chris Cina, exec chef of Hideaway Steakhouse, on being a goof in the kitchen, the day he made a bride cry and the ups and downs of opening a new restaurant
  June 8, 2011
• Modmarket needs your help to step up its social media game
  July 8, 2011

More About

• Butch Walker
• Allison Robertson
• Palo Alto
• Brett Anderson

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

Produced by Butch Walker, the album leans heavily on Allison Robertson's increasingly slick guitar; the solo in "Don't Break Me Down" may mark the first time the word "tasty" can be applied to her playing. Meanwhile, lead vocalist Brett Anderson is crooning more and growling less -- a decision that subtly undermines the sass in the lyrics to "Is That All You've Got for Me."

Not that the disc as a whole is a wipeout. "It's So Hard" proves the quartet can still engage in flirty double entendres when the mood strikes, and tunes such as "It Takes One to Know One" are hook-filled and infectious. Unfortunately, they're also a bit more subdued than the Donnas' previous efforts, and that raises questions for the future. Be careful, ladies: A little maturity goes a long way.