New Releases
Recent music from Donora, Jason Davis
By Margaret Welsh and Andy Mulkerin @andymulkerin
Donora
Ha Ha Heart
(Rostrum Records)
donoramusic.com
On its third release, Donora stays hip while retaining the high-energy pop sensibility that has made it a local (and to some extent national) favorite since the band formed in the late '00s. Even for a band that has always seemed best suited to a confetti-filled environment, Ha Ha Heart is a kind of aural explosion of glittery hearts. This is mostly a good thing: Pro-positivity, sing-along opener "I Might Have a Worry" brings to mind a less-world-music-y Tom Tom Club, as does the record's best track, "American Cars." The rest of the album is likely to invite comparisons to recent efforts by indie-poppers like Tegan and Sara and Jenny Lewis, and, actually, some of these songs wouldn't sound out of place on the new Taylor album (and I mean that as a compliment). Over the span of 11 tracks, the relentless energy can start to feel a little manic. There are some breaks, though — on "Memory," Donora showcases a knack for dreamy electro-pop, which I hope they will explore further.
— Margaret Welsh
DONORA LISTENING PARTY/ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE with TOWNSPPL, WAY YES. 6 p.m. Sat., Dec. 6. Club Café, 56 S. 12th St., South Side. $10. 412-431-4950 or www.clubcafelive.com
Jason Davis
Live + Loud on Lincoln Avenue
(Self-released)
jasondavis.bandcamp.com
A blistering 50 minutes of live tracks from the Pittsburgh expat now living in Utica, N.Y. The music spans from heavy stoner rock to aggressive power-pop and post-grunge; the upside is that there's something from everyone, but the downside is that listeners with a particular sense of what kind of rock appeals to them might only like a couple tracks. The live energy is captured exceedingly well, and Davis is a talented songwriter for sure.
— Andy Mulkerin
More by Margaret Welsh
-
-
Velvet Heat takes jazz to a younger audience
"We're bringing a very feminine element to the music scene."
- Nov 12, 2014
-
Review: Judas Priest at the Petersen Events Center, Saturday, Oct. 18
- Oct 24, 2014
- More »
More by Andy Mulkerin
-
Listen Up! This week in music, in playlist form
A Spotify playlist that serves as a guide to this week's music section.
- Dec 3, 2014
-
New show announcements: Jeff Beck, Anti-Flag, Garth Brooks
- Dec 3, 2014
- More »
Latest in New Releases
-
-
New Releases
Recent music from Amuck and Squonk Opera
- Nov 26, 2014
-
-
New Releases
Recent music from locals LoFi Delphi, Paddy the Wanderer and Jesse Mader
- Nov 12, 2014
-
-
New Releases
A new full-length from The Armadillos
- Nov 5, 2014
- More »
