Spend The Night – The Donnas

Producer: Jason Carmer & Robert Shimp

Released: October 22, 2002

Rating: *****

So, you’re looking at this thinking that The Donnas are Alternative or at the very least Punk. The Donnas sound was very much Punk in their early days (keep in mind folks, they formed in 1993 when all member were just 14 years old), but the band has done its best to avoid this label over the years. Problem is, with a name like The Donnas people will automatically think of The Ramones, one of Punk’s marquee bands.

They may not be Punk, but are they Hair Metal/Sleaze? Consider this. The band has covered Strutter (KISS), Living After Midnight (Judas Priest) and Too Fast For Love (Motley Crue). All hair metal classics. The band also performed a show in full Shout The Devil make-up and costumes. I’m also convinced that Torry Castellano worships Tommy Lee simply based on the amount of cowbell she uses. Allison Robertson also at times (especially on this album) sounds a lot like Ace Frehley. If you look VERY closely at the back cover of this CD in the upper right hand corner you will see a guitar case loaded with Ace Frehley signature guitar strings. Are they Hair Metal like Poison or Def Leppard? No. They offer a heavier sound than bands like that, but you can definitely tell that these girls love hair bands.

Which brings us to this album, Spend The Night. I had been aware of The Donnas since the release of Get Skintight which included the cover of Too Fast For Love (wow, what a great song). I dug the song, but it would take the release of Spend The Night for me to purchase an entire album from The Donnas which also got me into their prior releases. When I heard the single Take It Off, the albums second track, I had to finally find out what these girls were all about. I was BLOWN away.

The album opens with It’s On The Rocks which kicks the listener right in the balls and lets them know that this album is going to be a riff heavy rocker. I can’t say enough about the guitar work on this album. Allison Robertson knows her way around a fretboard. She has some first class solos on Spend The Night including the one on It’s On The Rocks.

Next up is Take It Off which actually isn’t as strong as some of the other songs. That’s a good thing, because this song is awesome. Following Take It Off is Who Invited You and WOW does Allison’s solo kill!

All Messed Up is up next and is one of my favorites from the album. The chord changes during the verses send chills up my spine. Very cool shit. Girls can indeed rock. Dirty Denim is the albums 5th song and if there is a weak song on Spend The Night this might be it. Not awful, but not the albums best. Yet, the girls chant after the second chorus does kick ass……

You Wanna Get Me High gets things going again as the song starts off with…… a killer riff from my girl Allison.

Next up are my two favorite songs from the album. I Don’t Care There (So There) features ANOTHER killer solo from Allison and sounds very Space Ace-ish. Pass It Around has more excellent guitar work including some more VERY cool chord changes, riffs and…….. a killer solo. This is also a phenomenal tune to pop in just before a night of drinking.

Too Bad About Your Girl starts off as an interesting little tunes featuring some muted guitar work and nearly whispered lyrics, but the girls kick it in the ass for the chorus. Not The One is a quick little tune that shows The Donnas AC/DC influence.

Please Don’t Tease is the albums most melodic song and features a very hair metal-esque solo from Allison. The section immediately following the solo could very well be Cinderella. Another AC/DC inspired tune Take Me To The Back seat is up next.

5 O’Clock In The Morning closes the album and is a GREAT party anthem. Torry Castellano proves herself a very capable drummer with this track.

I’m not sure why The Donnas don’t have a much bigger following. They’ve certainly had a VERY successful career. They began recording albums when they were 14 and have lasted 15 years in an industry known for 15 minutes. I’ve argued their talents with many of my musical comrades. I contend that these 4 girls are some of the best rock song writers to emerge in the last 10 years. I think part of what prevents The Donnas from enjoying larger acceptance is that they are girls. A lot of people feel that there is no place for women in rock, at least on a stage. I’ll admit it is sometimes awkward singing their tunes which are clearly written from a female perspective. The fact is, it’s supposed to be about the music and The Donnas are as good as any current rock band and much better than most.

I know that they may not be Hair Metal or Sleaze, yet I also have an idea what turns a lot of you on musically. The same things that rock your world about Hair Metal should also help you enjoy and appreciate Spend The Night.