Gold Medal (album)

The Donnas released their fifth studio album Spend the Night in October 2002.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/spend-the-night-mw0000662159|title=The Donnas Spend the Night Album Reviews, Songs & More|publisher=AllMusic|author=Johnson, Zac|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=May 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526185135/https://www.allmusic.com/album/spend-the-night-mw0000662159|url-status=live}} Its lead single "Take It Off" peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Modern rock radio chart. Their profile grew when they appeared on covers for magazines, as well as perform on TV shows such as Saturday Night Live and Total Request Live.Hasty 2007, p. 16 In preparation for Lollapalooza 2003, drummer Torry Castellano began suffering from De Quervain Tendonitis. They continued touring with Castellano receiving cortisone injections, until she reached the point where she was forced to stop playing. The band took an extended break from touring from September 2003 as Castellano had wrist surgery.{{cite web|url=https://www.kindamuzik.net/interview/the-donnas/de-donnas-zijn-volwassen/9127/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815180507/https://www.kindamuzik.net/interview/the-donnas/de-donnas-zijn-volwassen/9127/index.html|title=The Donnas Are Grown Up|publisher=KindaMuzik|author=Ruys, Anneke|date=April 11, 2005|archive-date=August 15, 2022|accessdate=August 16, 2022|language=NL|url-status=live}} Post-operation, they started rehearsing material for their next album in 2004, opting to play slower-tempo songs as Castellano was still recovering. Guitarist Allison Robertson said this choice allowed her to "explore parts that had more funk and feeling" to them.Molenda 2011, Chapter Allison Robertson (Search phrase "Gold Medal")

Around this time, the band's label Atlantic Records was undergoing personnel changes stemming from the company's owner Warner Music Group switching investors. The band met with several people, before landing on Scott Litt; they travelled from the Bay Area to Los Angeles to start pre-production with him in January 2004. They liked his work with R.E.M. and assumed the partnership would be a good experience based on prior conversations they had. though any work proved fruitless. Upon meeting up, the band realised Litt wanted a different sound than what they were aiming for. From a selection of four-to-five people, they came across Butch Walker, who had recently completed sessions with Avril Lavigne. He was aware there had been some form of disagreement between Litt and the band, and that they wanted to show some growth as a unit.

Walker and the band spent sometime discussing music they liked growing up and what they wanted to takeaway from their influences.{{cite web|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/donnas-365484|title=The Donnas|work=Mix|author=Farinella, David John|date=January 2005|accessdate=May 29, 2022|archive-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413020350/https://www.mixonline.com/recording/donnas-365484|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1484390/for-the-record-quick-news-on-p-diddy-beck-good-charlotte-nerd-lil-jon-duran-duran-donnas-more/|title=For The Record: Quick News On P. Diddy, Beck, Good Charlotte, N.E.R.D., Lil Jon, Duran Duran, Donnas & More|publisher=MTV|date=January 15, 2004|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027012948/http://www.mtv.com/news/1484390/for-the-record-quick-news-on-p-diddy-beck-good-charlotte-nerd-lil-jon-duran-duran-donnas-more/|url-status=dead}} In June and July 2004, the band and Walker recorded drums at Black in Back studio, before moving to Conway Recording Studios in Hollywood, California.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/9670/the-donnas-in-the-studio|title=The Donnas in the studio|publisher=Punknews.org|author=White, Adam|date=July 11, 2004|accessdate=May 28, 2022|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029205209/https://www.punknews.org/article/9670/the-donnas-in-the-studio|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000555279|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040803011202/https://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000555279|title=Billboard Bits: Prince, Montgomery Gentry, Donnas|magazine=Billboard|author=Cohen, Jonathan|date=June 29, 2004|archivedate=August 3, 2004|access-date=May 29, 2022}} Paul David Hager served as the main engineer throughout recording, while Seth Waldman, Tony Rambo and Lars Fox acted as assistant engineers. As Castellano was still recovering, the rest of the band recorded their parts first. Chris Lord-Alge mixed the recordings at Image Recording Studios, also in Hollywood, with assistant engineers Keith Armstrong and Dmitar Kranjaic. Emily Lazar then mastered the album at The Lodge in New York City, with assistant engineer Sarah Register.

Gold Medal continues the hard rock sound of Spend the Night; while influences from AC/DC and the Ramones can still be heard, the band also incorporate portions from Alice Cooper, Golden Earring and Steppenwolf. Uncut writer Stephen Dalton described it as 1970s rock "pastiche meets revved-up sugar-rush melodies, cynical teen-romance lyrics and knowingly dumb sexual innuendo". Bassist Maya Ford Spend the Night was "all fast and hard [...] we limited ourselves"; for Gold Medal, they decided they "should do just what ever we want to do and experiment". Discussing the album's title, Robertson said: "To us, it's going for what we think is the gold. On each song we just went with what sounded best instead of going, 'Oh, the Donnas would never do that.{{single double}}.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/donnas-go-for-the-gold-245762/|title=Donnas Go for the Gold|magazine=Rolling Stone|author=Baltin, Steve|date=August 6, 2004|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=January 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106195611/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/donnas-go-for-the-gold-245762/|url-status=live}} They collaborated together instead of letting one individual do a bulk of the writing, resulting in a more melodic sound, aided by Walker's past production work with Lavigne and Simple Plan.{{cite web|url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/despite-naysayers-the-donnas-keep-rockin-seriously/|title=Despite naysayers, the Donnas keep rockin'. Seriously.|work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|author=Behe, Regis|date=November 25, 2004|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529145337/https://archive.triblive.com/ccpa/|url-status=live}}

The opening track to Gold Medal, "I Don't Want to Know (If You Don't Want Me)", talks about a disintegrating relationship and is reminiscent of the work of Ash.{{cite web|url=https://trouserpress.com/reviews/donnas/|title=Donnas|work=Trouser Press|author=Glauner, Jim; Neugebauer, Delvin|access-date=May 27, 2022|archive-date=August 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831220134/https://trouserpress.com/reviews/donnas/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/singles3/donnas-4.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051127013010/http://www.musicomh.com/singles3/donnas-4.htm|title=The Donnas - I Don't Want To Know (If You Don't Want Me) (Atlantic)|work=musicOMH|author=Heywood, Tony|archivedate=November 27, 2005|access-date=May 28, 2022}} It is followed by the mid-tempo hard rock track "Friends Like Me", which evokes the sound of the Stooges and the Who.Anon. 2005, p. 5 The metallic "Don't Break Me Down" discusses trying to make a relationship work after having moved on quickly from past partners. "Fall Behind Me" recalls the band's earlier sound, while being compared to the work of the Cult; it starts off akin to Status Quo, switching to "Rocket Queen" (1987) by Guns N' Roses.{{cite web|url=http://www.gigwise.com/contents.asp?contentid=3425|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209172513/http://www.gigwise.com/contents.asp?contentid=3425|title=The Donnas 'Gold Medal' (Virgin)|work=Gigwise|author=Kirsch, James|archivedate=February 9, 2005|access-date=May 27, 2022|url-status=live}} Robertson said it dealt with bands that get ahead of others by luck, only to be forgotten in a short timeframe thereafter.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1490998/the-donnas-take-charge-with-gold-medal/|title=The Donnas Take Charge With Gold Medal|publisher=MTV|author=Rashbaum, Aylssa|date=September 15, 2004|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508023820/http://www.mtv.com/news/1490998/the-donnas-take-charge-with-gold-medal/|url-status=dead}} The softer-sounding "Is That All You've Got for Me" marked the first time the band uses acoustic guitars in their music, adding elements of rockabilly. Unlike the rest of the album, "The Gold Medal" features a piano and acoustic guitar break in lieu of an electric guitar solo. Ford referred to the song as a {{double single}}fuck you' to San Francisco. We live there, but have never really fitted into the city".{{cite web|url=https://www.ox-fanzine.de/interview/donnas-1385|title=Grown up or blown up|work=Ox-Fanzine|author=Wessel, Lauri|date=February–March 2005|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=January 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106195628/https://www.ox-fanzine.de/interview/donnas-1385|url-status=live}} The blues-indebted "Out of My Hands" tackles the theme of a long-distance relationship.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2004/music/reviews/the-donnas-1200529497/|title=The Donnas|work=Variety|author=Augusto, Troy J.|date=November 15, 2004|access-date=May 27, 2022|archive-date=January 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106200239/https://variety.com/2004/music/reviews/the-donnas-1200529497/|url-status=live}} Kel Munger of News & Review said the power ballad "Revolver" is an "ode to love gone truly, truly bad".

On August 9, 2004, Gold Medal was announced for release in two months' time; a few days later, a music video was filmed for "Fall Behind Me" in Los Angeles, California. They played a small number of club shows on the West Coast, prior to appearing at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in the UK.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/donnas-get-behind-new-album-66991/|title=Donnas Get 'Behind' New Album|magazine=Billboard|date=August 9, 2004|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=January 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106194159/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/donnas-get-behind-new-album-66991/|url-status=live}} "Fall Behind Me" was posted online on September 1, 2004, and was released as a single on 11 October 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/singles2/donnas-3.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051123174757/http://www.musicomh.com/singles2/donnas-3.htm|title=The Donnas - Fall Behind Me (Atlantic)|work=musicOMH|author=Sellers, Jamie|archivedate=November 23, 2005|access-date=May 28, 2022}} Gold Medal was released on October 26, 2004; coinciding with this, the band members dropped their Ramones-esque stage names in favor of their actual names.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/10118/donnas-post-fall-behind-me-from-upcoming-record|title=Donnas post 'Fall Behind Me,' from upcoming record|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=September 1, 2004|accessdate=October 28, 2021|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028155527/https://www.punknews.org/article/10118/donnas-post-fall-behind-me-from-upcoming-record|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2004/11/05/donnas-are-voted-grace-cover-l2t/|title=The Donnas are voted to grace the cover of L2T|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|author=Greenblatt, Leah|date=November 5, 2004|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528103211/https://ew.com/article/2004/11/05/donnas-are-voted-grace-cover-l2t/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/primo-donnas-20050121-gdkj8h.html|title=Primo Donnas|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|author=Munro, Kelsey|date=January 21, 2005|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528104814/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/primo-donnas-20050121-gdkj8h.html|url-status=live}} Initial promotion was focused on reaching fans through online advertisements and listening parties.Garrity 2004, p. 16

Gold Medal was one of the first albums released in the DualDisc format, alongside Still Not Getting Any... (2004) by Simple Plan, but was recalled due to a mastering error on the CD side of the album.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1492203/simple-plan-donnas-catch-it-on-the-flip-side-with-two-sided-cd/|title=Simple Plan, Donnas Catch It On The Flip Side With Two-Sided CD|publisher=MTV|author=D'Angelo, Joe|date=October 12, 2004|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=August 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828105226/http://www.mtv.com/news/1492203/simple-plan-donnas-catch-it-on-the-flip-side-with-two-sided-cd/|url-status=dead}} Warner Music Group provided the affected song on the band's website and allowed buyers to return it for a standard CD copy.Walsh 2004, p. 5 The DVD side of it included the album in 5.1 surround sound, the music video for "Fall Behind Me", a behind-the-scenes feature on that video, in addition to lyrics for the album's tracks. The band embarked on a tour of the US throughout November 2004, with support from the Von Bondies and the Starlite Desperation.Garrity 2004, p. 17 In January 2005, the band performed at Big Day Out in Australia. On January 26, 2005, the music video for "I Don't Want to Know (If You Don't Want Me)" was posted online.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/11462/donnas-video-for-i-dont-want-to-know-online|title=Donnas video for 'I Don't Want To Know' online|publisher=Punknews.org|author=White, Adam|date=January 26, 2005|accessdate=October 29, 2021|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029211411/https://www.punknews.org/article/11462/donnas-video-for-i-dont-want-to-know-online|url-status=live}} The track was released as a single on 7 March 2005. That same month, the band performed at the South by Southwest music conference.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/11321/against-me-dfa1979-guitar-wolf-sleater-kinney-and-more-confirmed-for-sxsw|title=Against Me!, DFA1979, Guitar Wolf, Sleater-Kinney and more confirmed for SXSW|publisher=Punknews.org|author=White, Adam|date=January 12, 2005|accessdate=October 29, 2021|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029194829/https://www.punknews.org/article/11321/against-me-dfa1979-guitar-wolf-sleater-kinney-and-more-confirmed-for-sxsw|url-status=live}} They then supported Maroon 5 on the Honda Civic Tour until May 2005.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1496358/maroon-5-donnas-phantom-planet-to-head-out-on-tour/|title=Maroon 5, Donnas, Phantom Planet To Head Out On Tour|publisher=MTV|author=Rashbaum, Alyssa|date=January 28, 2005|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=November 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120043417/http://www.mtv.com/news/1496358/maroon-5-donnas-phantom-planet-to-head-out-on-tour/|url-status=dead}}

{{Album ratings

| MC = 70/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/gold-medal/the-donnas/critic-reviews|title=Critic Reviews for Gold Medal|publisher=Metacritic|accessdate=May 26, 2022|archive-date=May 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526190410/https://www.metacritic.com/music/gold-medal/the-donnas/critic-reviews|url-status=live}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/gold-medal-mw0000140906|title=The Donnas Gold Medal Album Reviews, Songs & More|publisher=AllMusic|author=Johnson, Zac|access-date=May 26, 2022|archive-date=May 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526183825/https://www.allmusic.com/album/gold-medal-mw0000140906|url-status=live}}

| rev2 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev2Score = B{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2004/10/29/gold-medal/|title=Gold Medal|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|author=Browne, David|date=October 29, 2004|access-date=May 26, 2022|archive-date=May 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526184958/https://ew.com/article/2004/10/29/gold-medal/|url-status=live}}

| rev3 = The Guardian

| rev3Score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2004/oct/22/popandrock.shopping7|title=The Donnas, Gold Medal|work=The Guardian|author=Lynskey, Dorian|date=October 22, 2004|access-date=May 26, 2022|archive-date=May 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526183821/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2004/oct/22/popandrock.shopping7|url-status=live}}

| rev4 = Pitchfork

| rev4Score = 5.5/10{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/2422-gold-medal/|title=Gold Medal The Donnas|work=Pitchfork|date=November 2, 2004|access-date=May 26, 2022|archive-date=May 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526183825/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/2422-gold-medal/|url-status=live}}

| rev5 = Rock Hard

| rev5Score = 7.5/10{{cite web|url=https://www.rockhard.de/reviews/the-donnas-gold-medal_316671.html|title=The Donnas Gold Medal|work=Rock Hard|author=Schleutermann, Marcus|date=February 23, 2005|access-date=May 26, 2022|language=DE|archive-date=May 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526183821/https://www.rockhard.de/reviews/the-donnas-gold-medal_316671.html|url-status=live}}

| rev6 = Robert Christgau

| rev6Score = {{Rating-Christgau|hm1}}{{cite web|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=the+donnas|title=The Donnas|publisher=Robert Christgau|access-date=May 26, 2022|archive-date=August 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808173939/http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=the+donnas|url-status=live}}

| rev7 = Rolling Stone

| rev7Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thedonnas/albums/album/6570208/review/6576915/gold_medal |title=The Donnas Gold Medal|magazine=Rolling Stone|author=Eluscu, Jenny|date=November 11, 2004|accessdate=18 February 2007|url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114163147/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thedonnas/albums/album/6570208/review/6576915/gold_medal |archivedate=November 14, 2007 }}

| rev8 = Stylus Magazine

| rev8Score = B−{{cite web|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/the-donnas/gold-medal.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019175913/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/the-donnas/gold-medal.htm|title=The Donnas Gold Medal|work=Stylus Magazine|author=Miccio, Anthony|date=December 16, 2004|archivedate=October 19, 2012|access-date=May 26, 2022}}

| rev9 = This Is Fake DIY

| rev9Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/view.php?id=1801|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041027194030/http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/view.php?id=1801|title=The Donnas - Gold Medal|work=This Is Fake DIY|author=Ackroyd, Stephen|archivedate=October 27, 2004|access-date=May 26, 2022}}

| rev10 = Uncut

| rev10Score = 4/10{{cite web|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/the-donnas/the-donnas-gold-medal-review|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106034315/http://www.uncut.co.uk/the-donnas/the-donnas-gold-medal-review|title=The Donnas - Gold Medal|work=Uncut|author=Dalton, Stephen|archivedate=January 6, 2014|access-date=May 26, 2022}}

}}

Gold Medal was met with generally favourable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, the album received an average score of 70, based on 22 reviews.

AllMusic reviewer Zac Johnson said that what the band "lack in 'wall of sound' noise attack they've made up for in nuance; the basslines have never been more intricate, [...] and the whole album sports the most terrific production of any Donnas record to date". This Is Fake DIY reviewer Stephen Ackroyd compliment their "smooth, thought out, structured" sound, with tracks that were "less vitriolic, more melodic". Entertainment Weekly writer David Browne added to this: "With their well-scrubbed sound [...] and Anderson's evenkeeled delivery, the Donnas are now a likable, proficient band". Anthony Miccio of Stylus Magazine added to this by writing that they seem "incapable of playing in anything but the key of badass", and The Japan Times{{'}} Philip Brasor said it relied more on "craft than attitude".{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2004/12/12/music/the-donnas-gold-medal/|title=The Donnas: 'Gold Medal'|work=The Japan Times|author=Brasor, Philip|date=December 12, 2004|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=January 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106194917/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2004/12/12/music/the-donnas-gold-medal/|url-status=live}}

The staff at Pitchfork wrote that Robertson's guitarwork has improved with each subsequent release, "gut here she's really tearing it up, giving Gold Medal a more dynamic feel". Rolling Stone{{'s}} Jenny Eliscu expanded on this, writing that Robertson was "wailing on solos that would make AC/DC's Angus Young proud". PopMatters editor Adam Williams said Robertson "anchors the album with muscular riffs throughout".{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/donnas-goldmedal/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106172759/http://www.popmatters.com/review/donnas-goldmedal/|title=The Donnas: Gold Medal|work=PopMatters|author=Williams, Adam|date=November 8, 2004|archivedate=January 6, 2014|access-date=May 27, 2022}} Lollipop Magazine writer Ari M. Joffe, on the other hand, said Robertson's "blazing guitar playing" had been "either completely stripped away, or toned way down". The staff said at E! Online said the "tempos are sluggish and the lyrics are emotionally vacant".{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/Reviews/Facts/Music/RevID/0,1107,3330,00.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050910151019/http://www.eonline.com/Reviews/Facts/Music/RevID/0,1107,3330,00.html|title=The Donnas Gold Medal|work=E! Online|archivedate=September 10, 2005|access-date=May 27, 2022}} Pitchfork shared a similar sentiment, stating: "The recycled riffs and too-easy lyrical cheese are occasionally still in play". Dalton said that while they be "shamelessly role-playing their Joan Jett schtick," the band "still out-rock earnest retrobores like Jet and Kings Of Leon".

The Austin Chronicle{{'s}} Christopher Gray praised the members for being confident musicians, however, they had switched from "carefree party girls to jaded cynics practically overnight".{{cite web|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2004-11-26/239476/|title=Jimmy Eat World and the Donnas|work=The Austin Chronicle|author=Gray, Christopher|date=November 26, 2004|access-date=May 27, 2022|archive-date=July 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722181627/https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2004-11-26/239476/|url-status=live}} Rock Hard reviewer Marcus Schleutermann wrote that what they had "undoubtedly gained in profile," they had "lost the obvious hit factor". Joffe said the album was "devoid of any of the grit the band once possessed", coming across as formulaic.{{cite web|url=https://lollipopmagazine.com/2005/05/the-donnas-gold-medal-review/|title=The Donnas – Gold Medal – Review|work=Lollipop Magazine|author=Joffe, Ari M.|date=May 16, 2005|access-date=May 27, 2022|archive-date=October 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008205232/https://lollipopmagazine.com/2005/05/the-donnas-gold-medal-review/|url-status=live}} Exclaim! writer Liz Worth said the album "gives off a clean, pop-studded sound, but falls a little flat" when compared to their previous works, and aside from a few highlights, "much of the album blurs together".{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/donnas-gold_medal|title=The Donnas Gold Medal|work=Exclaim!|author=Worth, Liz|date=February 1, 2005|access-date=May 27, 2022|archive-date=November 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130182124/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/donnas-gold_medal|url-status=live}} The Guardian{{'s}} Dorian Lynskey wrote that whether the change is sound has "done them good, though, is debatable", spotlighting the "lyrical sourness [that has become] less bothersome than their AC/DC posturing".

Spend the Night was successful at MTV and radio, and co-manager Molly Neuman hoped Gold Medal would do as well.Martens; Newman 2005, p. 64 It sold over 13,000 copies in its first week of release, reaching number 76 on the Billboard 200.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1493402/jay-z-r-kelly-still-together-at-top-of-billboard-albums-chart/|title=Jay-Z, R. Kelly Still Together — At Top of Billboard Albums Chart|publisher=MTV|author=D'Angelo, Joe|date=November 3, 2004|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=July 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724232754/http://www.mtv.com/news/1493402/jay-z-r-kelly-still-together-at-top-of-billboard-albums-chart/|url-status=dead}} By June 2007, the album has sold 87,000 copies in the US; 79,000 of these were sold in its first year, under-selling Spend the Night{{'s}} first year sales of 360,000. Neuman theorised that the latter had a "real pop visibility and a pop fan base. But that's a transient fan base—they love it and then leave it. They're not going to be lifelong fans". She also attributed the drop to the failure of the DualDisc format, which she felt may have dismayed fans.

All songs written by the Donnas.

1. "I Don't Want to Know (If You Don't Want Me)" – 3:47
2. "Friends Like Mine" – 3:38
3. "Don't Break Me Down" – 3:31
4. "Fall Behind Me" – 3:23
5. "Is That All You've Got for Me" – 3:00
6. "It's So Hard" – 2:20
7. "The Gold Medal" – 2:13
8. "Out of My Hands" – 2:47
9. "It Takes One to Know One" – 2:58
10. "Revolver" – 3:30
11. "Have You No Pride" – 2:54

{{tracklist

| collapsed =

| headline = Digital Bonus Track Gold Medal by The Donnas

https://music.apple.com/us/album/gold-medal/27028159

| writer12= The Donnas

| title12 = Lost and Found

| length12= 3:22

}}

Personnel per booklet.{{cite AV media notes|title=Gold Medal|others=The Donnas|year=2004|type=booklet|publisher=Atlantic Records|id=7567-83758-2}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

The Donnas

• Brett Anderson – lead vocals, piano
• Allison Robertson – guitars, backing vocals
• Maya Ford – bass, backing vocals
• Torry Castellano – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Design

• Greg Gigendad Burke – art direction, design
• James Jean – cover illustration
• Katrina Dixon – photography
• Sam Buffa – studio photography
• Charlie Becker – logo

{{col-2}}

Production

• Butch Walker – producer
• Paul David Hager – engineer
• Seth Waldman – assistant engineer
• Tony Rambo – assistant engineer
• Lars Fox – assistant engineer
• Chris Lord-Alge – mixing
• Keith Armstrong – assistant engineer
• Dmitar Kranjaic – assistant engineer
• Emily Lazar – mastering
• Sarah Register – assistant engineer

{{col-end}}

Citations

{{reflist}}

Sources

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite journal|author=Anon.|title=Compactorama|journal=La Opinión|date=12 January 2005|issn=0276-590X|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xf9CAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA21|language=Spanish|access-date=29 May 2022|archive-date=8 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708102823/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Xf9CAAAAIBAJ&lpg=PA21&pg=PA21|url-status=live}}
• {{cite magazine|last=Garrity|first=Brian|title=The Donnas Go for the 'Gold'|magazine=Billboard|date=October 23, 2004|issue=43|volume=116|issn=0006-2510|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nRMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA16|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529145335/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=nRMEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA13&pg=PA16|url-status=live}}
• {{cite magazine|last=Hasty|first=Katie|title=Independents' Day|magazine=Billboard|date=30 June 2007|volume=119|issue=26|issn=0006-2510|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zxIEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA16|access-date=29 May 2022|archive-date=28 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528183311/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zxIEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA16&pg=PA16|url-status=live}}
• {{cite magazine|last1=Martens|first1=Todd|last2=Newman|first2=Melinda|title=The Great Label Debate Indies vs. Majors: Developing Acts Face Tough Choices|magazine=Billboard|date=19 March 2005|volume=117|issue=12|issn=0006-2510|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=thQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA64|access-date=29 May 2022|archive-date=29 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529145335/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=thQEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA64&pg=PA64|url-status=live}}
• {{cite book|last=Molenda|first=Michael|title=Guitar Player Presents 50 Unsung Heroes of the Guitar|date=2011|publisher=Backbeat Books|location=Milwaukee, Wisconsin|isbn=9781617134494|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3tCGDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT178|access-date=2022-05-29|archive-date=2022-05-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529145335/https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Guitar_Player_Presents_50_Unsung_Heroes/3tCGDwAAQBAJ?gbpv=1&pg=PT178|url-status=live}}
• {{cite magazine|last=Walsh|first=Christopher|title=DualDisc Delay|magazine=Billboard|date=6 November 2004|volume=116|issue=45|issn=0006-2510|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iRMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA5|access-date=29 May 2022|archive-date=29 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529145335/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=iRMEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA5&pg=PA5|url-status=live}}

{{refend}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lNY28L9WPCSk1X-gNyp4oSXV1T-x4uVTs Gold Medal] at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)

{{The Donnas}}

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Category:The Donnas albums

Category:2004 albums

Category:Atlantic Records albums

Category:Albums produced by Butch Walker