Recording Artist: Donora
Release: S/T (LP)
Notable Tracks: “Shout”, “Photograph”, “London”
Label: Rostrum Records

For most musicians their musical abilities are discovered on a whim while others are lucky enough to have them genetically encoded into their DNA. Jake and Casey Hanner are the latter. Their father, David Hanner, was one half of the Corbin/Hanner Band in the 80′s. His experience and knowledge undoubtedly came into play as he helped produce and mix the album and lent his musical talents to his son and daughter’s self-titled debut release.

The album opens with Donora’s hard hitting pop anthem “Shout”. With catchy rhythms and lyrics, don’t be surprised when this one shows up on MTV sometime soon, that is if MTV even plays music videos anymore. “Photograph” feels as though it’s from a completely different album, an album that no doubt would be a hit. It exhibits the maturity that Donora has in song writing and their ability to break away from the rock/pop mold and into more serious and thought out song progression and lyrics. Closing an album strong is an essential part of a solid LP and Donora does this magnificently with “London”, a soft, slow piano ballad about unreturned infatuation.

(From left to right: Jake Churton, Jake Hanner, Casey Hanner)

In order to have a well balanced band each member needs to be contributing their all. The guitar needs to have memorable riffs and rhythm; the drums need to make you want to tap your foot to the beat; and the bass needs to add another aspect to the guitar chords while not just doubling them. Donora accomplishes this quite well on their debut release. Particularly impressive are Jake C.’s bass lines, although Casey’s vocals are the center point, the bass deserves a good listening to. Jake C. creates lines that are a step above the rest. Occasionally he will fall into a rut of backing up the guitar chords, but you soon discover that this is just a break before his next run.

In an industry based on the next dollar, where artists are pressured into focusing their efforts on attaining artificial milestones of success, such as playing arena shows and merch sales, it’s refreshing to find a band that appears to be having a good time making music just for the sheer joy of it. This album spotlights the versatility of Donora’s abilities to kick out a rock/pop anthem and then turn around and produce a track that demands a quiet, listening ear in order to hear the heartfelt lyrics. The sibling bond, as well as rivalry, no doubt benefit the band and pushes their creativity. If Donora’s self proclaimed slogan is “melodic, dance-worthy, garage rock”, then they hit the nail right on the head.