The Donnas rediscover their metal roots in new Bitchin’ album

New album pleases fans by returning to trademark punk sound, corny lyrical style

By Katie Zanin, contributing writer
Posted on October 4, 2007

At 28-years-old, the members of The Donnas already have 6 full-length albums under their belts – an impressive feat for any musician. After a flop with their 2004 release, Gold Medal, the five girls have taken time off to re-evaluate their sound. With their seventh album, Bitchin,’ The Donnas have drifted from the pop scene to return to their metal roots.

The Donnas began their music career as a high school punk band. As they got older and (slightly) more mature, their music developed into rock ‘n’ roll party music. Die-hard fans were taken aback by the change, after getting used to the band’s tough and dirty punk rock sound. In the long run the transformation was for the better both musically and in terms of business.

This change began with their fifth album, Spend the Night, which brought The Donnas into the mainstream with songs such as “Take It Off” and “Who Invited You.” Their following album, Gold Medal, tried even harder to be radio-friendly, but to no avail. Now The Donnas prove that they don’t care what’s on the radio anymore as they’ve gone as far back as 1980 with their latest album.

Bitchin’ opens with the sound of a fire alarm and the slow beat of drums. Gradually a distorted guitar joins in with a haunting riff accompanied by a demonic whisper. The music picks up and the whisper turns into a high-powered refrain drenched in attitude that only Donna A. can pull off. The album continues from there with high-energy, hard-hitting music in the style of ’80s metal bands.

The new sound is a hybrid of their old punk sound with that of ’80s bands such Motley Crue and Def Leppard. Their old sound comes out in the short but sweet guitar solos bursting with energy but the ’80s influence shines through with repeating riffs and captivating choruses; plus they use a whole lot of cow bell.

As always, the girls’ lyrics consist of corny rhymes and unforgettable one-liners. The lyrics are so disgustingly cliché that over time, they’ve become one of the band’s attractions. Not many bands can sing songs dripping with irony and sexual-innuendo without losing respect but The Donnas continue to keep their cool. Their humor and self-confidence seem to be what has kept the Donnas from becoming as trite as any other rock and roll band.