Plasmatics- Beyond the Valley of 1984
#213
By Aaron Conte
Plasmatics
Beyond the Valley of 1984
Genre: punk shock rock
Allen’s Rating:
Rating: 1.5 of 5
Stand out trax:
Pig Is a Pig
Sex Junkie
I was lucky enough to review the debut Plasmatics record, New Hope for the Wretched, and this is (was) their second release in 1981. Great cover art, great title, great idea to release a second record, but...only if it wasn't this. There is zero growth here, but I feel as if I'm nitpicking if I even as so much mention "growth" in something as wild as punk rock. This band was really much more of a freedom of speech statement than a band looking to grow and appeal to a wider audience. Plus they made an indelible mark with the first release, this could never match or surpass that mark. It definitely is mixed differently than the first and is absolutely a quieter album...making for a decidedly corporate sounding brand of punk rock. Their first album was bright, scary, aggressive and bold. This has way too much sheen on it as well as conditions. You can feel the deadline hovering and the money clock ticking in these recordings. Disappointed.
"Incantation"
Putting this on in my little town for my little friends really established me as someone to beware of...from what I can tell it's a black mass opening chant on a loop - church organ - that if you listen close enough, sounds like they're saying "omni plasmatics" Clever way to open your record really. Put a spell on the listener.
"Masterplan"
Kick ass metal chords with Wendy's voice right up front in your face.
Can't say you will come away from this one knowing what the plan is however, but you will know that they blew it.
"Headbanger"
Tame. What's going on here?? Production has the band dialed back, maybe in favor of Wendy's lyrics, but...it really doesn't serve the overall impact, nor does it represent the band on the cover of this album. I want my money back!
"Summer Nite"
Parody of a 1950's date night song. Young man murdered at a rock and roll club in front of his girlfriend, who ends up killing herself to end the pain of her loneliness. Pretty cool!
"Nothing"
Ah finally - some speed. This is more like it - probably should have been the lead off track (well, after the black mass).
"Fast Food Service"
Punk rock filler?? Never heard of such a thing. Man this is worse than I remember it.
"Hitman" (Live in Milan)
With all the overdubs and mixing tricks on this record, it's hard to take this seriously...is it live or is it memorex? Crowd sounds huge. Was there a giant italian audience for the Plasmatics in 81?
"Living Dead"
I'm not a zombie fan. I just don't get, never got, the whole phenomenon of zombies; as in for real undead people who walk the earth looking for brains. There seems to have been a resurgence of the genre over the last couple years, and this song is the only-thing-zombie I like.
"Sex Junkie"
Harder faster chorus, the coda type slowed down ending, and her yelling "eat me!", my favorite parts.
"Plasma Jam" (Live in Milan)
Eight minute instrumental - competent band on a repetitive riff.
Time for Wendy to gas up her chainsaw and replace nipple tape.
"A Pig is a Pig"
Curve ball! Wendy gives a great Grand Ole Opry introduction to what becomes your run of the mill Plasmatics formula uptempo little ditty. Wendy railing against authority of all kinds. General outrage. Obligatory Big Brother reference for the record with 1984 in the title. Pig oinks to finish.
I'm glad this band kept putting out records and drawing attention to themselves, and I'm glad we had Wendy O in our lives for the short time we did, but there's no need to give this one a spin.
https://open.spotify.com/album/2q0rVjyWwIND1zGAk6TVY7?si=LWcVwfyeRFaPQXpv-D5Lzg
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