Search - Plasmatics with Wendy O'Williams :: Final Days: Anthems For the Apocalypse

Christopher K. (Venomn) from PORT ST LUCIE, FL
Reviewed on 10/19/2009...

Wendy O' Williams and the Plasmatics.Founded By KISS" Front Man Gene Simmons Rocks!

Plasmatics-Final Days

Jeffrey T. Yentz | Lynchburg, VA | 01/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When one looks through the annals of rock 'n roll history, one oftentimes overlooked and underappreciated niche is that of female rockers with brass ... personalities. In this instance, Wendy O. Williams could very well be the proverbial poster child for women in rock that had a message, had a vision, but lacked the record company support.



In the insance of Final Days, one could not select a better representation of delving into the world of WOW and the Plasmatics. Sure the mental pictures of WOW in a tightfitting miniskirt and a bodice of whipping cream replete with strategically placed black electrician tape X's does help stir the dream world of any pubescent wonder but this is effect distracted from the real bonus: the music. But once you've cleaned off the whipped cream from your psyche, one can only feel spent and exhausted of the musical journey known as The Plasmatics.



From the first cut, The Doom Song one can immediately know that AC/DC appreciated WOW, otherwise why would they have ripped her off and applied the start of the song to "Hells Bells"? On the way through MAsterplan and Just Like On TV one really gets to undertstand that Wendy was committed to making the world a better place by drawing subtle attention to the message: give a damn now before your plowed over by the powers that be. In particular, cue up Lies or The Damned to better understand that the environment became an issue for her.



While most will ascribed negative stereotypes to musicians Wendy was a committed vegan as well as religiously working out. Towards the end of her career she dropped the telltale mohwk hairstyle for a more conservative brown hair bob. This in itself was a sign of maturity (not having to rely upon signature style defining her and breaking away to focus on the music. Suffice it to say, no compromises were made ... just take a listen to 12 Noon and ending the disc with Finale.



No nougat center here ... just a lot of meat to sick your listening "mouth" into.



I end with noting her A Pig Is A Pig song which is what help catapault her into the icons of rock. For the song is a story about how Milwaukee police molested and beat her up (to the point where she was hospitalized for a concussion as well as bruises, lacerations, and lumps pretty much all over her head and upper body. Fortunately, justice (in the end) prevailed and police were toasted and fines levied. This is also the beginning of the end of WOW for she was wrongly blaimed for instagating this turn of events (remember The Who and Cincinnati) and was thus considered a liabilty across the nation for subsequent bookings as well as recording opportunities.



So in the end resolve, not a loser in the baker's dozen. MAy your ears smile and your sense of purpose and meaning be refreshed."

FINAL DAYS IS A MUST HAVE - ANTHEMS FOR SURE, PLAY IT LOUD!

Punkzilla | LA, CA | 09/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This screaming, uncompromising, political rocker contains some of the greatest and most powerful Wendy O. Williams and the Plasmatics songs ever produced. The classic Doom Song from the Hartman/Swenson Metal Priestess production, Brain Dead and Propagators, two of the best from the Maggots album (when Wendy had one of the greatest bands she ever had) plus Finale from the same record with musical complexity unheard of in the ealier records where the musicianship was not as truly virtuoso, the classic Pig is a Pig with some of Swenson's best lyrics written at the time of the Milwaukee arrests and beatings, Lies the thrash-rap classic from Wendy's final album, Stop, the Damned and Just like on TV from the Jimi Hendrix Electric Lady recording sessions (originally done on the fly as a demo) plus the classic Masterplan and more. This is one jammed packed recording. I've been collecting Wendy O. and the Plasmatics records for years and this one's a must. If you could have only album though, then this one would be it. ALL KILLER NO FILLER! Get it!"