Beyond the Valley of 1984

Released in 1981, The Plasmatics's "Beyond The Valley Of 1984", is one of those era defining relics which embodied a movement. This ones explicitly for the "Wretched" (it used to be a much larger demographic). This is early traditional Metal done in a hard hitting post 70's Rock, with blatant Punk leans, style. Rod Swenson was the main song writer on here, as well as producer, and credited with "Concept and Management" (as the idea of The Plasmatics was his, and he basically built the band around Wendy).

So, its in the vein of their debut, but with a little more polish, and maturity. The production has its draw backs (it is an improvement from the first album, though), but is basically in step with most things of the time on a similar budget...and at the proper decibel level this album's awesomeness just cant be tarnished.

The music on here blends an early Heavy Metal (think Motorhead) sound, and agression, with an old school Punk, antisocial, anti authority, quick rythmed punch. The lyrics are great, layed out to the tunes perfectly, mostly sticking to a "wretched", 80's over board appeal. The bass offers a pretty punked out clean feel, and the drums are an apt fit to the rythms tone, and overall sound (although the drums don't do much beyond holding the pace). The songs range a good bit on average, but the guitars pretty much carry a Hard Rock/Punk distortion, and are usually playing upbeat, aggressive chord patterns, and tempos. Maybe a bit on the simplistic side as far as base melody goes, but thats really more or less the style they chose to present.

Wendy's voice is what truelly brings every song on here up a notch (except for the Plasma Jam, that ones all Stotts/Beech). The albums also a perfect example how versatile Wendy's voice was. Lows, mids, highs, falcettos,... she had a voice that was not only kickass, and talented, but also extremely unique. Definitely one singer no fan has a hard time picking out, ever. I'd just about recommend anything she appears on.

Of note:
This was around the time The Plasmatics really started to explode onto the scene. Alot of their wide spread fame came from sensationalist media tactics which attacked their live shows (blowing cars up, chain sawing through guitars, Wendy's attire). A true fan pleaser, as far as gigs go, by my estimation. Also, Wendy was repeatedly arrested for her on stage conduct (simulated masturbation with a sledge hammer, going on stage with only shaving cream on, assault) which just kept feeding the media machine. Most of the arrests would happen in 1981, but definitely left a cult, underground status on the band through all their years of existence. It also goes with out saying, The Plasmatics (with many others aside them) were an integral part of the major forces, back then, pushing for the nearly unlimited artistic freedom we here in America have today. Some might say legends.

Over all, this album is a classic. Get. It. Now. (and you can find it at Plasmatics.com) I'd advise getting the LP if you can, it does sound better than the cd (I got both), but dont hesistate to pick up either.