Free Digital Sheet Music

For many artists, the quest each new album is to explore new musical terrains. To expand their sonic palette and not get stuck into rut with an identifiable sound and style. On the other hand you have a bands like The Donnas that realize their strengths lie in what they have always done and there is no reason to change. The Donnas started off as a cutesy, Ramonic take on life in Northern California high schools. But their hearts truly lay with 80s metal. As their proficiency on the their instruments grew, they outgrew the trash and bash of punk and happily wallowed in heavy riffage. On the new album Bitchin’ The Donnas proudly make no concessions to insufferable hipper than thou crowd. The album is almost an aural time capsule from the mid 80s. Their new logo suggests Iron Maiden or Judas Priest. The sound is again heavy bass and drums, plenty of meaty riffs and big, loud background vocals on the chorus. And it is nice to hear attention made to background vocals. It is unfortunate how many hard rock bands forget that melodic background vocals can really make a song. So all the right ingredients are in place for a great rock album. But Bitchin‘ is not quite that bitchin’. At its worst, Bitchin’ is fun but not that memorable. The problem is a lack of hooks. Which is disappointing as when The Donnas formula of meaty riffs and big choruses click, it is indeed bitchin. Smoke You Out just soars on some simple but great background vocals. Likewise Here for the Party hits paydirt with a catchy sing-song chorus. However with the majority if the songs, a great build up is let down by lack of a hook. Save Me starts off like a great Def Leppard outtake. However all the great melodic work in the verse is undone with a lukewarm chorus. The song is representative of the album as a great deal of Bitchin’ sounds like a band in search of a hook. When The Donnas get it right it is a glorious sound. But too often the songs seem to be only half realised. It makes Bitchin’ an ok album that while a fun listen, is ultimately frustrating as you can hear what it coulda been with a little more work. Check out some of tunes on The Donnas MySpace page. Includes Smoke You Out plus 3 other tracks from album.