Audio By Carbonatix
For attitudinal, punk-infused girlie rock with decent musical chops, it doesn’t get much finer than Gold Medal. The Donnas expand beyond the formula that brought them a wider audience with 2002’s Spend the Night, assisted by producer Butch Walker. Though the differences are subtle at first, Medal showcases a taste for heroes of the British Invasion — especially on the Beatlesesque title track and “Revolver” — while lyrically exploring the interpersonal hardships of being serious working girls (“I Don’t Want to Know,” “Don’t Break Me Down”). Gold Medal isn’t revolutionary, but it’s solid, well-executed rock ‘n’ roll with raunchy edges. — Christopher John Treacy