Reviews (page 3 of 9)
Good punk
I see the vision but I don't think its my taste really 2.5
4.5/10
I knew a couple of songs on this but didn't know it was by them... weird in a good way
Not my favorite DK album, but it's got California Über Alles on it, so that's a plus. The Sublime melodic structure of the vocals, juxtaposed with lilting instrumental styling creates an ambient, yet grounding rebuke to neo-constructive spiritualism. C'mon man. It's punk.
first 80s record on my roulette... not a huge fan. everything sort of blends together in an angsty, political blur. fast paced songs about screwing ur landlord or packing a wife for home from a vacation in cambodia, not really my taste politically, historically, or genre-wise. wouldn't listen to it if it weren't for the challenge but if i had to pick a favorite track, it may be chemical warfare or kill the poor - because the track titles are the chorus, and the most memorable lyrics. or let's lynch the landlord!
Heard Before? Many times, but not since high school. Notes: - there's definitely an argument to be made for one of their other albums to be included on the list instead of the debut, but I'm not complaining. - now when I listen to this I can only picture how Jello, while the primary songwriter, was also a complete non musician, and so would act out and sing the parts he wanted the others to play. Hilarious. - the mix varies distractingly from song to song. oh well. Verdict: It absolutely shreds, in the preachiest, most grating way. Chemical warfare, indeed. Listen Again? Well, I already listened to "Plastic Surgery Disasters" and "The Power of Lard" today, so it seems likely.
I like the themes the band explore, but the music is...still good! 4/5
A great debut. This is punk rock.
Great punk rock album. New to me.
Its good, angry, fast, angry, short, to the point, angry, mean
A very good album, probably America’s best contribution to punk. Let’s Lynch the Landlord, California Uber Alles, and Holiday in Cambodia are fantastic standouts with a smart and funny satire. I think it’s just held back from being a 5 by just how quickly the first half especially progresses. Even by punk standards it moves at lightning pace, so it’s a bit harder to appreciate some songs individually. Still, a very good album.
One of the best punk albums - I find some punk albums can be fairly repetitive but this one kept things varied and interesting throughout. ‘Holiday in Cambodia’ is the obvious highlight, but ‘California Uber Alles’, ‘Let’s Lynch the Landlord’ and ‘Ill in the Head’ are also personal favourites.
I was torn, but eventually went for the full 5 stars. This is a fantastic early hardcore punk album, with great, political but also pretty funny lyrics. There are lots of standout tracks: ‘Kill the Poor’, ‘Let’s Lynch the Landlord’, ‘Chemical Warfare’, ‘California Über Alles’, ‘Holiday in Cambodia’ and the deranged, lyrically-altered cover of ‘Viva Las Vegas’ being my favourites. But I don’t think there’s really a weak track on it (‘Ill in the Head’ might be the closest thing to one). Jello Biafra’s vocals seem to be quite divisive, but I think the whole band sound great, including him.
Really solid punk/hardcore; I really like their chaotic song writing. I do wish I liked the singer's voice a tad more, but overall this was a really good album. High 4.
Just remove all punk and replace with a best of album, as all sounds the same
Dead Kennedys managed to bring their well known kenetic live show energy and jam it into every second of this record.
4.5/10
Not for me. There's a few songs where I kinda saw the vision, but the general singing style and most of the vibe just didn't work for me. I think because of that this is going to be one of my rare 1 stars. Sorry, Dead Kennedys.
I understand the love people have for this but the album it's just not for me. In the 'Keywords from Reviews' you find 'Hardcore' 'Political' 'Fast' 'Loud'. Totally on point but I guess punk rock is not my thing.
This is a loud punk album, with fast short rebellious songs about how things are no good. Which is pretty standard for punk. But what sets this album apart from other punk albums is Jello Biafra's warbling spooky vocals. It works so well and makes their songs so much fun even though the guitars and drums sound like you might end up in the middle of a mosh pit being trampled to death. Some American punk, like his album, feels like it is heavily influenced by the rockabilly scene and in a couple of tracks like 'Ill in the head' it feels like we move into psychobilly and had me thinking about the Killer Klowns from Outer Space soundtrack. I enjoyed this album and would listen again. Its a real party starter for me. (3.666)
68/100. I’m not a huge hardcore punk guy, but I found this enjoyable. It’s intense, sharp and full of biting social commentary that gives the whole record a real edge. The energy is constant and a bit chaotic, but that’s the appeal.
hmm, not a fan..
Du bruit
Militant qui tâche. Ça fait le taff mais c’est inécoutable.
I liked the music but didn’t like the vocals. I know it’s punk music and the singing is secondary to the music but it just put me off. Let’s Lynch the landlord was great and Viva Las Vegas really surprised me
Some classics on this one for sure. It’s solid start to finish but I’m just not the hugest fan.
I appreciate where this was for punk in 1980. His voice reminds me of the B52s and I couldn’t shake it.
Fast, somewhat smart punk. Some standout tracks but a lot fall well within the confines of punk. Has two of the best punk tracks ever. 3.5 rounded down Heard before? Some Owned: No 59/244 (24%) Will I get: No
Liked this more than I was expecting to, but I am an anarchist so of course I'd like an album with a track called Let's Lynch the Landlord. Are they actually great? Maybe not but it's a fun debut album. Shame they sold out.
I think i simply dont like punk as much as i thought cus this was not good at all.
No
Exceptionally unlistenable.
6/10
Définitivement, je n'aime pas le punk. Tout n'est pas inaudible ici, mais globalement : que de bruit !
Not really my cup of tea, but I can see how this helped define punk music at the time. The lyrics are every bit as relevant today as they were in 1980. It's just a bit too sonically harsh for widdle ole me.
Love the spirit and the energy, alas, don't love the actual music
A rolicking rocker
Not for me. 1/5
fun album! started feeling a little repetitive maybe because i’m not into the punk sound but enjoyable and short :) me when there’s a track called “let’s lynch the landlord” and honorable mention to “kill the poor” lol
Punk as
Wow what a record. I remember downloading these songs one by one on Napster when I was a nu metal weirdo in high school. To think I could still be listening to kid rock in southern Missouri if not for the Dead Kennedys and the ramones whew
★★½
Yes
I have gotten "Kill the Poor" stuck in my head at least once weekly for decades. The most reliable earworm in punk.
“California Über Alles” was one of the first punk rock songs I ever heard, and it made a powerful impression. Furious, lean and filled with vivid (and occasionally shocking) lyrical imagery, it’s arguably the finest punk rock song of all time — certainly a pinnacle of the American hardcore subgenre. The rest of the album is no letdown, sonically or in terms of cultural impact. The passing of time may have softened things, but America in 1980, at the dawn of the Reagan era, found the Dead Kennedys abhorrent (especially the name). The fact they got sued for using an image of another musical outfit without permission only strengthened the band’s transgressive bona fides. The set is combustible and fueled with righteousness and moral outrage, delivered with a generous dash of humor, a sense of fearlessness and a musical sensibility that was a cut above most of its peers.
As first wave US punk records go, this one is probably in the top 5 of ones you need to hear. Does it hold up? Mostly.
Hard to really assess this is as someone vaguely familiar with the band but pretty familiar with punk. A significant portion of punk is basically people badly copying this. This is still a peak album, but hard to seperate from the fact that many bands followed with music that was just a pale imitation
This is their only album I own.
This is art
One of the best ever.
Erinneret a SOAD eif musikalisch viel primitiver.
Tönt eif alles gliich ich han nd emal checkt wenn en song wechslef während em arbeite
Not my cuppa. Appreciated the instruments (impressive drums, guitar) and those were a five for me but couldn’t get past the vocals.
Nearly had a panic attack
Not my thing, but I can appreciate the politics
Listening session: march 12th, while commuting to internship Listened to before: no Thoughts: never heard of Dead Kennedys but I quite liked that the album is short but dense with political punk songs Favourite tracks: I Kill Children & Holiday In Cambodia
nah
I love to kill the poor, do drugs, and lynch landlords, so this is perfect for me
I ended up listening to a Dead Kennedys playlist the rest of the day
Punk as it oughta be. Angry, nasty, sarcastic, and fun.
first listen fun but so messy in tone
Frenetic hardcore punk built on jagged surf-tinged guitars, rapid drums, and biting, sneering vocals explodes with chaotic urgency. Listening feels like being dragged through a crowded protest where slogans, noise, and satire collide at full speed. The result is sharp, abrasive, and politically charged—messy at times but deliberately confrontational.
Album #1,069 Balls to the wall. Every song. Even the Elvis Presley cover. That's the kind of punk rock I like. I couldn't understand much of the lyrics. I think it's extreme left or anarchist, but whatever. It's fast, it's got energy and riffs. Also a singer with a goofy voice, which helps to not take what he says very seriously.
Such an interesting, fun album! The song titles are so out of pocket haha
Wasn't bad at all loved a couple of tracks some not so much but nothing negative
This is good fun. I love the shortness of the tracks, so none of it becomes boring. Just quality quickfire punk.
Some fleeting moments of musical interest, otherwise dire. 1.5
The Dead Kennedys are undeniably a great and iconic punk band, but it took me a while to come around to the point where I would throw their records on from time to time. This listen of Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables hasn't really changed anything for me. Jello Biafra's voice and the vocal decisions he makes range from fantastic ("California Über Alles")to "eh". Lyrically, the songs also range for me, but I do enjoy how fearlessly the band takes on political topics. The music itself is punk music, and I'm already a fan. Good album. I enjoy it and I do think people should hear it, but I probably won't me throwing it on again soon. Highlights: "California Über Alles", "Holiday in Cambodia"
Like it 3/5
great punk
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables is for sure an seminal album in the hardcore punk genre, and one the first of its kind. It primary uses sarcasm and satire - as evident by the album name - to criticise beliefs the Dead Kennedys don't believe in; in which they believe in left-wing ideals not right-wing ones, big misconception about this band! Like the song "Kill the Poor" is not literally about killing the poor, you gotta put your thinking-cap on and not take everything as is written and sung, which is what most people won't think to do when listening. If you can look past the edgy and offensive humour, it actually in fact has a lot of good takes under the humour people should ponder and question themselves about. Definitely a must listen album, especially if this was in a punk must listen album list. Highlight Song/s: "Kill the Poor", "Let's Lynch The Landlord", "California Uber Alles" and "Holiday in Cambodia"
But we can, you know we can We can, you know we can Let's lynch the landlord Let's lynch the landlord Let's lynch the landlord, man
Great old school punk album! Very good love the dead Kennedys
Neat album, I think it could have been even more forceful. Maybe that’s me having more of a modern view for this album, but I feel like there’s a cost of grit that should have been there to give the album more punch. A song like I Kill Children doesn’t feel as harsh as it should to me, it just feels fast instead of aggressive. Otherwise an okay album, but this missing quality is noticeable throughout the record. Faves: Let’s Lynch the Landlord, Viva Las Vegas (Cover), Chemical Warfare
Four stars because of how many times I laughed
Another punk album, however, this is quite decent. The instrumental is more diverse (hello surf music) and the songs are nore interesting. You can tell Green Day drank from this well to write Dookie. Quite interesting listen, and a deserved spot on the list. 3/5
Very eccentric album, not sure for me. Kept me intrigued. 5.9/10
Not quite my taste but interesting listen
I was not cool or uncool enough to be into punk as a kid so I didn't know much about it. Still don't know much but I've come around because of albums like this. The politics, the musical experimentation in a genre not known for that, the fuck you attitude, all incredible. Love this album.
Awesome record, although there are songs I don't connect to melodically.
My prior 3 connections to Dead Kennedys were 1) playing Holiday in Cambodia on Guitar Hero 3 and realizing it was really hard to play even on a video game; 2) hearing the Disposable Heros of Hypophrisy (remember them?) play a cover of California Uber Alles in 1992 but directed towards Pete Wilson I want to say; and 3) seeing Jello Biafra in a bar in Columbus Ohio where celebrity sightings were very rare. Well here we are finally listening to a DK album. It kind of sucked.
only listened to this once, but man it rocks. kill the poor reminds me so much of that Johnathan Swift satirical piece about eating babies. these guys went hard
This is the best punk album I've heard. I'm not usually a fan of the genre, but the variety, vocal and instrumental performances and sociopolitical commentary are all very complex and impressive. As a person of color I've grappled with some of the lyrics in holiday in Cambodia for 20 years now, but in the context of the rest of the band's work it seems like the point is the make people uncomfortable and to be evocative. That's how I feel throughout the tracklist, slightly uncomfortable but on the edge of my seat. I loved the juxtaposition of HIC and the cover of Viva Las Vegas - what a wacky transition and closer. Really outstanding work. 5/5
Day785 - now more than ever we need more punks telling us to punch nazis,eat the rich and quit protecting pedos
Is this complete unlistenable? No. Would I seek it out? No.
This was so much fun, and i love when punk is good, and silly.
True punk, for better or worse. I hear the funky bass grooves that feature in the best punk rock music. The singer's delivery is more interesting and engaging than a lot of punk rock without getting into the "real" singing of pop punk. A very good punk album. You can hear how it influenced later horror punk. You can hear a musical kinship with contemporary peers like Big Boys. There's early gang vocals here. This is a really interesting historical artifact actually. 3.5
I liek a lot
Skilled musicians trying to sound like they don't know how to play. I enjoy some punk, but not all. I wasn't expecting this to be my speed, but I really liked it. A lot of fun going on.
Yep this one goes hard. Frenetic, fun and ultra-political. Some great songs and some good ones that get catchier with each listen.
This is a full-on menopausal hot flash. You feel the slight warmth move across your body and know you are about to be drenched in sweat. It accumulates on your scalp and rolls down the center of your back. You feel your face is flushed, your hair wilts, and your heart rate spikes, pushing more heat out in all directions, and your feet feel sticky. It's full on.
Spastic fits versus the straight four on the floor punk and hardcore of its day - not exactly experimental but it definitely cuts different. Guitar flourishes thrash as much as old Jello's bellows. I think they mean it.
I can hear how the music I like was influenced by this, but with the news and current events and ice it was too much for me now
Melodias y letras vigorosas, con una crítica social igual muy vigente #killthelandlord Recomendadísimo.
2,5
Nomen est omen
mittelmäßiger punk in ausreichender länge
I am not a massive fan of more original punk records. The album was good but I would not choose to listen to it often. I was a bit surprised by the use of the N-word in the single version of Holiday in Cambodia, I am not sure if it was used in the official release. Good album overall, not a favourite of mine though.
Can't imagine Jello's voice is for everyone but you can't deny it's a really fun album. The only song I'd ever skip is "Ill In The Head" but it's still not bad. Solid punk album one of the solidest ever solider than most.
Definitive punk. Jellos voice really aggravated me once. I kinda like it now. It’s unique
Screaming punk
Angry puno
Give me convenience or give me death. The problems of the 80s are still here, man.
6/10
I was not a punk fan when I was younger and would still not say it is a favorite genre, but I've learned to appreciate the style and the attitude, and this album definitely has all of that, and I understand why it is a classic. It was a fun listen that I would go back to in the future. To me, it doesn't rise to a 5 star album, but I'd understand if someone more into the genre would put it there due to the influence on the punk genre.
This a rebellious rock album that has punk type vibes to it and i enjoyed it. Glad i listened to it, and it was a fun listen but i probably won’t be going back to it. The best part were some of the outrageous lyrics and song titles.
Great album that I expected not to like. A lot of my friends in high school listened to this and I always thought it was crap. Listening to it now, it makes a lot more sense and isn't as musically off-putting as some other hardcore punk bands. Not I think I understand why my friends liked it back in the day.
Some great songs on this album. A full DK album is something I have to be in the mood for.
Pretty alright punk.
Dead Kennedys Über Alles.
Album 1050 of 1089 Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables - Dead Kennedys (1980) Rating : 3.5 / 5 Another dive into punk territory, and this one delivered more than I expected. It’s got the energy you want from punk - fast, sharp, and unapologetic - but it also has personality. It doesn’t just feel like noise for noise’s sake. There’s intention behind it. The tracks are tight and punchy, with Jello Biafra’s distinct vocal delivery front and center. Whether you agree with every message or not, there’s no denying the band knew exactly what they were doing. The guitars cut through cleanly, the rhythm section keeps it driving, and the whole thing feels alive. It’s not perfect. It’s rough around the edges - but that’s part of its appeal. Punk isn’t supposed to be polished to a shine. This album feels like it belongs exactly where it sits in music history: bold, a little chaotic, and completely sure of itself. A fine listen. One with real spirit.
Ugh. At least it was over relatively quickly.
I understand this album must have been pretty disruptive when published in 1980. However, even if I enjoyed it and I think it's a good album, when rating the music itself, I feel like 3 stars are ok.
Just not clicking with me. 2/5.
The politcal satire is sharp, and the guitar is really cool, but I really struggle to get into punk in general. It's very one-noted and messy. If the album was more like Holiday In Cambodia I would've enjoyed this a lot more, that track gives itself time to breathe and build an idea. Favorite song: Holiday In Cambodia Worst song: Viva Las Vegas Cover check: Really liked the cover art, it screams anarchy
Not too bad!
1.5 Greatest punk record of all time.
Good punk
🫨
I liked this more than i thought i would.
I'm sure this appeals to someone...I'm so sick of listening to masculine voices at this point. Particularly in the punk genre.
Didn't hate it, but yeah nah not my thing.
bit naff but holiday in cambodia is a banger
Maybe the greatest American punk band.
Seminal album of my teenage years, one of the greatest political albums, great playing, wonderful songs.
This is probably in my top five, at least top ten, of bands-that-I-know-should-be-more-familiar-with, or should have at least listened to more than once or twice. But I see why I never got into them. Maybe in 1980 it would have been more appealing, but not so much now. These guys come across a lot sillier than I was expecting. Anyway, glad I listened but won't be revisiting.
All due respect to our punk forefathers as one of the iconic bands of the '80s, and to Jello Biafra as one of the great punk iconoclasts. Their legacy is secured, despite their later infighting, litigation, and embarrassing tours. That established: This is a chore. I now remember why I own this but have listened to it maybe three times. Jello's preening affect quickly grates, even if his words hit their mark. These days, I'll save "Holiday in Cambodia"—which is legit great—to a playlist and skip the rest. (OK, "California Uber Alles" too.) 2.5, rounding up to 3.
I'm sympathetic to punk, but Dead Kennedys don't really connect for me. Tried to go back through for a second listen to make sure I didn't miss anything, but I'm gassed out after 5 songs. I think it would be overly dismissive to call this "bad." I think instead I can only say that it really doesn't work for me. 2 / 5
Just had to get another punk album through before the end. Heard of California Uber Allies, pretty catchy. Holiday in Cambodia was the only other song of note.
Such a ridiculous voice by this lad. Definitely one of the more fun punk albums we have listened to, may have helped that I already knew a couple of songs with California Uber Alles and Holiday in Cambodia. Also his voice just made me so interested in how he would sing next.
I was just shouting the names of some of these songs to Lauren and she was horrified. This immediately brings me back to Tony Hawk. That breakdown in WHen Ya Get Drafted rules. Spooooooooky. Little surf rock action in Let's Lynch the Landlord.
Top tier punk
Another entry for my mediocre music, annoying male vocalist, unintelligible lyrics collection.
classic
Kut punk
Blödschrei
2.8
Not quite what I was expecting. This is Dick Dale ft the Wildhearts with Action Man on vocals.
Excellent punk music. Makes me wanna play Tony Hawk.
Joe told me he got really into this album earlier in his life. That got me excited and I thought I might love the album. Then he told me he didn’t think I’d like it, so expectations were greatly lowered. Ended up in the middle at a solid 3.
Expected this to be a 1 or a 2, but I kinda liked it.
“Holiday in Cambodia” was one of my favorite songs in high school. Don’t think I ever listened to the whole album, but this was fun.
Banger after banger after banger on here. Really sharp songwriting and music that caught on with the regular public surprisingly well for how heavy it is. Dead Kennedys are one of the best Hardcore bands to ever do it and left a great influence. I really like Jello Biafra's silly and simoultaniously dark lyrics and his wacky delivery. If not for the rest of the band and the lyricism he wouldn't really sound Punk-ish. Having a bunch of great short songs in a row is something more bands should strive for.
Tremendous political punk. Rippers from start to end. You’ll love it or hate it. An essential punk rock album.
Kill The Poor - 4.5/5 Forward To Death - 4/5 When Ya Get Drafted - 4.5/5 Let's Lynch The Landlord - 4/5 Drug Me - 4/5 Your Emotions - 4/5 Chemical Warfare - 4/5 California Uber Alles - 4/5 I Kill Children - 4/5 Stealing Peoples' Mail - 4/5 Funland At The Beach - 4/5 Ill In The Head - 4.5/5 Holiday In Cambodia - 4/5 Viva Las Vegas - 5/5 Kill the Poor (Single Version) - 3.5/5
Very important to have songs like this on the list. This is fast and furious. Aggressive, important in the current climate. Good
Best Song: Stealing People's Mail I like this. When I saw the genre "Hardcore Punk" I had to think, 'huh, isn't all punk hardcore?' The answer is no, this is hardcore punk and that is a perfect name for it. 4/5.
A punk album I actually enjoyed
An enjoyable album for sure and good to expand the Dead Kennedys knowledge. Would listen again.
More relevant than ever?
ZERO star. Not music, just screaming. I don't get it!!!
Fast, fun, angry, political. Fantastic.
One of the pioneers of US punk rock this is an essential album for understanding that scene.
Big 2 ça part trop en couille des fois
J'aime bien l'idée mais pas si ouf
System of a Down wannabes
I can’t help but find this annoying as shit to listen to - I feel like I’m listening to a load of coked up teenagers smash at guitars & drums in their garage. It’s clearly got all the energy, drive & attitude needed for a classic punk record, but I just can’t get on with it. I know punk music is meant to be angry, aggressive, and unashamedly raw, but this one is too much for me.
stressful and unpleasant “punk” “hardcore” are not words i would use to describe my taste in music when reading the lyrics, it’s a strong message. classic youth revolt. establishing personhood. shock value. hard r viva las vegas cover is funny i like their messages just not the best way to get to me personally
didn’t like it was not my jam 4/10
Hey look, I have a soft spot for this kinda stuff. Haven't listened to this for a while but enjoyed revisiting it.
210620 12:24 5
This is a good example of a perfect album in my opinion. Not too long, but I thoroughly enjoyed every song so picking a favorite is difficult. Let’s Lynch the Landlord might be it. I love the punk sound and just the meaning of the songs. I definitely will re visit this one
Great lyrics and energy I just wish his voice wasn’t so goofy. The messages would hit a lot harder. Based politics tho
They were "woke" before "woke" was cool. Antagonistic and focused while still being loud and snotty. Punk was born of its political elements, and this took it to another level. While the music itself seems dated, the sentiment is timely.
Was lucky to be introduced to this at an impressionable stage of my music listening, so I already love this record. 5 stars yeeha!
Yks omista suosikki punkkilevyistä all-the-time. Toimii ja menee monessa mielentilassa
yks parhaista punkkilevyistä mitä oon kuullu, sen ansiosta kakkonen
Onkohan tässä joku idea että biisit kuuluu eri voimakkuudella? Yhteistäkin sentään biiseistä löytyy, yhtä paskoja kaikki. Ei oo Kennedyt ihan tarpeeksi kuolleita selkeesti.
Kyynistä meininkiä ja tarttuvia ralleja. Ruma sana sanotaan niinkun se on. Lyriikatkin ajankohtasempia kun julkasuhetkellä.
Nyt on sitä kuuluisaa vaaran tuntua. Joskus ala-asteella varmaan ekan kerran kuulin Holiday in Cambodian, niin oikeasti se kuulosti pelottavalta. Mutta samalla se varmaan aiheutti jonkinasteisen punk-heräämisen, kun ihan ala-asteelta asti kuitenkin on tämän tyylistä musiikkia tullut kuunneltua. Tai no oikeasti tietenkään en muista, että oliko se vai Sex Pistolsin Anarchy in the UK ensimmäinen punkbiisi jonka kuulin, mutta joka tapauksessa alkulähteillä ollaan. Klassikkolevy täynnä ihan saatanan tiukkoja biisejä ja sanomaa. Helppo vitska!
Reminds me of skateboarding
I had listened to this in my own just a month before it was randomly generated. It's abrasive, at times unpleasant, but undeniably unique and energetic. To me, this and black flag are the epitome of hard-core punk.
Punk legacy and one of the most important albums in the genre, hard hitting, and relevant themes that resonate today. It's power come from the disruption of the status quo with their lyric and loud sound.
Dead Kennedys – Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables While I can't deny the influence this band/album had on punk genre, this might be the absolute side of rock I fear. Chemical Warfare, bro that noise was menacing. The lyrical content throughout the LP is built on extreme, violent satire and feels needlessly to be dark, trading the immaculate musicianship of previous days for a wall of noise. This might be me standing behind the moshpit with a my hands on the chin wondering what I got myself into. For a listener who values groove and soul, this is a "hard pass" on the genre a 1/5 that marks a low point in an otherwise triumphant month of discovery.
Schöne Erinnerungen!
It was 1986 when I was introduced to this. I've been playing it frequently ever since.
algumas músicas são maneirinhas, é meio mamonas assassinas/ rock/ banda de garagem / estados unidos músicas 1980 particularmente não me agrada muito, mas é interessante ouvir de vez em auando
Hellllll Yeah, bon punk bien complet. 3/5
Three stars for politics and for not being the worst punk on this list
Giving it two stars for the social commentary, otherwise it would be one.
We love punk rock
PUNKS NOT DEAD
Raucous political punk debut from a hugely influential band. Deserves to be on the list
Very good and important punk album
A terrific, politically charged punk album. My only complaint is I would've liked a couple of tracks that aren't 100mph so I could take in the lyrics better, but I suppose that would lose some of the energy.
i will always stand for what punk is about and hope it never dies but i just hate how it sounds
Ik ben in de war omdat dit blijkbaar geen Ierse punk is? Het klinkt echt ontzettend Iers, maar blijkbaar kan ik gewoon geen accenten herkennen. De gitaren zijn boos, de drums zijn snel, maar iets wat me opvalt; DE GITAAR IS NIET DISTORTED!!!!! HET KAN! Punk zonder een overstuurde distorted kutgitaar en met vocals die je gewoon nog kunt verstaan! Ja het is snel, ja het is boos, maar de Dead Kennedys Z I N G E N! God wat een verademing zeg, ok de zang is niet suuuper maar ik vind dit toch echt best wel goed te doen in vergelijking met het schreeuwzingen wat je vaker voorbij hoort komen in de punk hoek. Dit word hardcore punk genoemd, en dat snap ik ook wel want het is kei en keihard. Maar toch voelt dit een stuk melodieuzer dan albums van Dinosaur JR of andere Noiserock acts. Opzich logisch gezien de naam, maar ook de meeste punk acts die ik heb gehoord via deze lijst waren meestal een stuk heftiger dan dit. Ik denk dat ik mijn 'favoriete' punk album gevonden heb, alleen ben ik er nog steeds niet helemaal weg van. Ik denk 3,5 ster. 4 Is het me gewoon iets te punk voor. Ok nee, een punk cover van Viva Las Vegas? Fuck it, dit krijgt 4 sterren. Briljant, niets aan toe te voegen. FAVO: Let's Lynch the landlord, California Uber Alles, Holiday in Cambodia, Viva las vegas
It’s whatever, a little overstimulating imo. I dont hate the music, but the vocals are what dragged the score down for me. i saved 4/15 songs so 2 stars
Very nice
Listening Notes Definitely thought the Dead Kennedys were an English group... San Francisco punk! No doubt this is an extremely influential album, I can hear so many groups' sounds Makes me wanna play THPS Standout Tracks "Kill the Poor", "Chemical Warfare", "California Uber Alles", "Holiday in Cambodia" First time? Yes Will it go into your rotation? I'm convinced... more punk it is
Punk
I prefer the 22 Mix and the singles. Great stuff! 14 songs in 32 minutes. Read the lyrics and sang along, realising I had been wrong all these years! This is more pertinent today than then. 1. Kill The Poor 2. Let’s Lynch The Landlord 3. California Uber Alles 4. Holidays In Cambodia Not a 5 because of Viva Las Vegas
Pretty good punk album. Heavy and fast but with just enough musicality to keep it interesting.
hey this rips
Fun and shouty and political and right up my street. Played with energy and anger and no little amount of skill. Even a wonky cover towards the end couldnt put me off.
Enjoyable punk with a righteous political edge that is very timely right now. I like the hints of surf rock/ pop and would like more of this and appreciate the running time. Get in say what you gotta say and get the fuck out of there.
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables I know California Uber Alles and Holiday in Cambodia and I’m aware of Dead Kennedy’s influence and reputation in US punk and hardcore, and this album is exactly what I expected it to be: Politically charged lyrics that manage to avoid triteness and cliche, while still maintaining a righteous anger. High tempo punk-thrash A couple of catchy, shouty choruses. Being British we look back at seminal punk albums like Never Mind the Bollocks or The Clash and can see their place in the musical landscape, whereas with US punk it’s trickier for me to see that context and how it must have sounded back in 1980. And if I am going to compare them, I think those two albums are musically more interesting than this. Alongside California Uber Alles and the excellent Holiday in Cambodia, Kill the Poor and the cover of Viva Las Vegas are great, and there are the odd nods to surf rock, but the rest, apart from perhaps Drug Me, while solid enough examples of thrash-punk, don’t do a great deal for me, I think mainly due to the rhythmic monotony, I really miss a bit of swing or syncopation that someone like Topper Headon gives (despite that bit in Chemical Warfare). So, musically It's a solid punk/hardcore album with a couple of great tracks in California Uber Alles and Holiday in Cambodia, and those combined with its lyrical content means I think it deserves its status as a seminal album, and nudges this to a 3, even if I probably won’t revisit very often. 🍏🍌🍍 Playlist submission: Holiday in Cambodia
I thought they'd be a lot more raw punk. Turns out they sound more like The Ramones meets The Undertones, and the singer, American by all accounts, has a strange Irish quiver to his voice like Feargal Sharkey (when he's not snarling like Johnny Rotten). The lyrics are diametrically opposed to songs about chocolate and girls mind you, and take a much more nihilistic view of the escapism of death, infantilism, war, nuclear war, chemical war, class war and the war on drugs. A relevant album today, an album that draws from the Sex Pistols but does enough not to sound like a rip-off; some evisceraring lyrics weaving stories of a lost generation, mixed in with melodic touches of surf rock and rock n roll via Motown. We are in dire need of a band like this today, and yet everyone sings about dick n fanny as the world burns.
it's like the singer constantly have one of those BS vibration workout machines... For me this band is a one hit wonder. The sound get old veeery fast. 30 min felt like an hour.
This is the type of album I was too "scared" to listen to when it came out. I just thought I'd hate it, and the punks were a breed I didn't understand. It even took me some time to get into the post-punk that was coming out at the time too. This is the third or fourth late 70's/early 80's punk album I've gotten so far in the project, and I've really liked all of them. Including this. Of the ones I've listened to, this is by far the most abrasive and the most in your face. It's not a pleasant album to play, but it sure sticks the landing. The most messed up part is that these songs are still so prescient today, even though the names have changed. There are rants against both sides and they are valid, but the main target is corporate greed and could that be any more true now as it was then. One of the most sobering aspects of doing this project is when listening to albums from many years ago and the social issues of those times are still present, and in many cases even worse. Standout tracks were Let's Lynch the Landlord, Chemical Warfare, California Uber Alles, and Holiday in Cambodia. But all of the rest were very cool too.
Favorite tracks: Holiday in Cambodia, California Uber Alles, Let's Lynch the Landlord
This album is amazing for its political stance but it’s also depressing when you realize not much has changed. Great tunes though
There's no better album to listen to during our current state of the world. They wanted to rebel against it all in 1979 and burn it all down. Similar vibes now. I hope punk comes back.
No pude escuchar más de una canción. Primer día hábil de trabajo del 2026.
DK is my favorite punk band and this album is so epic! Despite being punk music, this is a lot different than other punk acts at the time. More like “alternative punk”, with distinctive vocals driving bass (see California uber alles and Holiday in Cambodia) and variety in lead guitar. Lyrics are a bit sophomoric, but it’s what I grew up on!!
One reason I wish I’d been born a few years earlier -and hadn’t been in a religious cult until I was 11 - is that it would have been really savage to see them live in a San Francisco that was still a live wire of this energy.
The album as a whole flows well between songs with fun instrumental lines and great energy overall! Plus some relatable lyric topics/titles
Powerful, aggressive, and unafraid. Beautifully unbeautiful. Landlords deserve worse <3.
"Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables" is a high-energy album of hardcore punk. Perhaps the highest compliment I can pay the album is that it captures the specific, snarling spirit of British punk from the same era. The undisputed highlight is "Holiday in Cambodia." It stands as the best track by a wide margin, featuring an excellent surf-rock influenced guitar line that provides a glimpse of the band’s true musical potential. Vocally, Jello Biafra is a mixed bag. He is at his most effective in his lower register; however, when the tempos accelerate and he shifts into his signature high-pitched warble, the effect can become grating over the course of the album. The record’s biggest hurdle, however, are its sonics. To put it bluntly: the production and mixing are awful. The sound is tinny, thin, and abrasive. While some argue this was an intentional aesthetic choice or a by product of a DIY budget, it makes for a difficult listen. One can’t help but wonder what this album could have been if it had been handled by someone with the technical prowess of Chris Thomas and Bill Price. The "wall of sound" those producers achieved for the Sex Pistols is sorely missing here. Ultimately, the Dead Kennedys are not quite for me, but I can recognize why they are considered iconic and why this album maintains its place on the "must-listen" lists. Three stars. Side one 1 "Kill the Poor" (4/5) 2 "Forward to Death" (3/5) 3 "When Ya Get Drafted" (3/5) 4 "Let's Lynch the Landlord" (3/5) 5 "Drug Me" (1/5) 6 "Your Emotions" (3/5) 7 "Chemical Warfare" (3/5) Side two 1 "California Über Alles" (4/5) 2 "I Kill Children" (3/5) 3 "Stealing People's Mail" (2/5) 4 "Funland at the Beach" (3/5) 5 "Ill in the Head" (2/5) 6 "Holiday in Cambodia" (5/5) 7 "Viva Las Vegas" (3/5) Total - 42 Average - 3.00 205/1001 115/205 albums reviewed were new to me.
Pure punk. 4/5
I wanted to hate it as much as some of the other Punk albums... but it had variety!
Not my choice
Quel album. Probablement dans mon top 5 d'albums de punk. Je l'ai toujours à portée d'écoute quand on va voir le beau-père Bob Wood à Las Vegas en raison de leur version de Viva Las Vegas. Mon rêve serait de faire un tour guidé avec Jello Biafra du musée du punk rock là-bas. La dernière fois on a manqué de une semaine le tour de la bassiste de L7.
Du bon punk! Paul a aimé aussi dans l'auto !
Valeur nostalgique ici, une petite pensée pour mon frère qui avait quelque unes de leurs oeuvres. California Uber Alles et Holiday in Cambodia sont des classiques personnels, que je chantonne souvent sans raison. Bien aimé aussi Let’s Lynch the Landlord avec sa ligne de bass groovy.
Bad 1/5
Very OG punk. Sounds exactly like Sex Pistols to me… I like the bass in the third song. Very political? Nearly every song sounds the exact same bro. Fav song is ‘Let’s Lynch The Landlord’.
Like finding a piece of cold pizza on the floor - its rubbish, but somehow I harbour thoughts about giving it a second go
Meh not great.
Not bad at all. Some catchy songs here, but a lot of the tracks sound very similar. There is not much variety. It was fun, I would probably listen again.
checmical warfare good rest not good
So good. DK is underrated in the discussion of hardcore bands.
Predominant American punk album in my eyes. Not necessarily well made but it's place is pretty important at least in punk history. A few song on here have a real good punch and I enjoy being caught off guard with it from time to time. Definitely one of the sole American punk albums that emulates the same level of energy as British punk.
kill kill kill kill kill the poor kill kill kill kill kill the poor kill kill kill kill kill the poor kill kill kill kill kill the poor kill kill kill kill kill the poor kill kill kill kill kill the poor a few moments later... kill kill kill kill kill the poorkill kill kill kill kill the poorkill kill kill kill kill the poorkill kill kill kill kill the poorkill kill kill kill kill the poorkill kill kill kill kill the poorkill kill kill kill kill the poorkill kill kill kill kill the poorkill kill kill kill kill the poorkill kill kill kill kill the poorkill kill kill kill kill the poor
Råt og smadret med en killer åbner, og et par bangers imellem. Sjovt lyt fra start til slut.
Det bliver mest interessant når det lyder mindst muligt som Sex Pistols
Fun stuff.
It has the same energy as the leftist punk bar I went to in Kraków last month… love the bar but I don’t actually enjoy listening to this that much
Still holds up
...
Reminds me of college days (even though this came out several years prior). Is it just me, or do Jello Biafra and Fred Schneider sound similar?
This is a perfect record. When this came out Dead Kennedys and Canada’s DOA had unlocked the secret of punk rock. Yiu had to be able to sing along, laugh at the stupidity of politicians, bring your late 70s left leaning hippie tendencies into a catchy danceable punk rock. Kill The Poor, Let’s Lynch the Landlord, Stealing People’s Mail, Holiday In Cambodia are all sing-a-long favorites. Even the straight forward hardcore tracks, such as Forward To Death, Chemical Warfare, Your Emotions and Ill In The Head are just off-kilter enough to still be fun. I saw DK and DOA numerous times during this period an it was always a blast. Punk Rock was fun. It still is. This record sounds as good today as when it was first released. While the cover of Elvis Presley’s Viva Las Vegas is probably what people remember, if you spend a little time you’ll discover that DK was just a pop band with gnarly guitars and a singer with a stage presence that made the original years so exciting. From the outside looking in this was the best live band in the land playing epic sweaty shows for numerous small crowds across North America converting everyone who saw them into converts of the Church of the Dead Kennedys. Death of the American dream my ass. DK breathed life into a million small bands. Black Flag, DOA, Husker Du, Minutemen and Replacements and DK. What a great fucking time to be young and able. 5/5
If this is your thing probably great. But not for me.
Essential punk rock.
Good energy and humour but a little one note and repetitive.
Horrendous. Horrible. Dumpster fire. Hot garbage. I could go on …
Visste liksom att det var punk så visste vad jag skulle förvänta mig (dvs nått jag inte tycker om så värst mycket) men det här vibeade jag med! Fantastiska tounge-in-cheek texter, bra instrumentering, bra känsla!
Could barely listen to it!
Very meta album. Shit I might become an anarchist after listening to this. POL POT POL POT
I think i recognized some
1/5
This album is pretty much the encapsulation of everything that punk should be. It's heavily political, bold in a satirical way, filled with rapid fire performances that just burst with anger and frustration. The instrumentation is tight and full of tension and there is a real sense of urgency coming from the music. Ramones and Sex Pistols could learn a thing or two from this. This is how you do this type of music.
Eh-angry
Felt kinda like an extension of the Sex Pistols. Not AMAZING but decent.
Holiday in Cambodia! 4th track is epic
This made me angry.
I don't think this could be a daily listener for me, but it is legit as punk comes. Harsh and sarcastic.
Shoutout to Guitar Hero for my knowledge of the Dead Kennedys. I’ve been rocking out to “Holiday in Cambodia” for years because of its inclusion in that game. I still remember my shock and horror hearing the original version for the first time with the profanity included, instead of the Guitar Hero cover. Good times. It’s the best song on the album. Gotta say, they picked the right album this time for the book with this one. Now, I don’t know if it makes me biased, but I generally dislike Punk music that sounds this fast, and has songs this short. However, I had a super long and stressful day at work today, and this absolutely got me all the way through it and left me in a better mood because of it. Pair that with the inclusion of “Holiday in Cambodia”, which I already loved, and you end up with an album that I just absolutely ate up. It’s worth being said that on top of being good songs, some of these song names are the funniest things I’ve ever heard. With song titles like “I Kill Children”, “Stealing People’s Mail”, “Kill the Poor”, and “Let’s Lynch the Landlord”, it almost makes me wonder if this is supposed to be satirical in nature, or if this is truly just what Punk is like. Either way, I loved this album, and I wish we had some more representation by this band. Absolutely killed it with this one and saved my stressful day. Big ups. Will be returning to the Dead Kennedys for sure.
musically sort of difficult to listen to but extra extra points for their message and passion!
Pretty transgressive, for what it’s worth…. Has a classic guitar hero song, though!
I had this one on cassette and couldn't believe how radical it sounded at the time. Just great passionate punk rock young people angry about their circumstances. While I'm old and this type of anger doesn't resonate with me like it used to there should always be a place for it in music. I did a satirical speech in freshman rhetoric loosely based on "Holiday in Cambodia". Good times, good memories 🙂
Classic.
8/10
A classic album with many classic and important songs. I love it. But the ceiling for this type of punk album, for me, is a 4.
I knew California Uber Alles and Holiday in Cambodia, and liked both, especially the latter. It turns out I like a few more than that, and I like the cover art to boot. The guitar tone is great, and they are tight. The main thing that tempers my enthusiasm is I don’t really like the vocals most of the time. It kind of feels like what Jello Biafra thought punk was supposed to sound like, kind of aping Sex Pistols whine and warbling.
This would be a five, probably, if I liked Biafra’s vocal style more. As it is, there are a bunch of good songs and a couple of duds. I like that they are about something. And the one two punch of Holiday in Cambodia, followed by Viva Las Vegas is a great way to end the album. The first is a solid angry classic, and the second shows they don’t take themselves too seriously. I think I always like a punked up cover of a standard.
4/5 - Your Emotions, Holiday in Cambodia, Let's Lynch the Landlord are my favorites on this album. The lyrics are the real statement here; reading along is essential for the full effect, since Biafra's delivery escapes me at times. Not an everyday listen, but a worth inclusion on the list.
punk - not really my thing.
A punk rock classic. DK were relentless touring beasts honing these songs note-by-note for the two years before it. A couple were re-recordings of singles and/or EP tracks. They were road-tested songs and a battle-weary bunch to record them. Still, at the end of the day, it's about Jello's vocals. The dude has the most unique voice in punk. Killer record.
I really hated it when I first listened to it, but I had a headache at the time, so I gave it another shot the next day. It was better the second time but only a star extra. As a piece of political art, it's great, musically it's so-so.
Dead Kennedys are the Chaotic Evil of punk music, and that's exactly why I love these guys so much. Each and every song here is very over the top in performance and yet somehow that doesn't make it any less impactful. Some of these lyrics are so absurd but also show just how fucked in the head a lot of these people were. All I have to say is just listen to the chorus of Funland at the Beach and you'll get what I mean. Their whole sphel is to satirize the world we live in by showing the madness of it all, and I think it is perfectly illustrated in the really out there song titles and lyrics. It is badshit insane at times and definitely worth anyone's time regardless if you are a fan or hardcore or punk.
I always seem to get aggressive punk rock albums on days when I’ve woken up enraged by one thing or another. Didn’t help my mood.
I always like listening to old hardcore. Holiday in. Ambrosia was part of guitar hero. What a great game and it really exposed kids to lots of music.
Trop crié, trop répétitif.
The original Fast & The Furious -sharp, funny, and rocking
listening when: first thing on sunday morning before pilates thoughts: omg tru british punk rock. i loooove rating: 7/10
It’s punk. It’s brash. It’s quick. It’s not that deep. It’s not Mozart.
Pretty punk!
Hell yeah!
A punk masterpiece
2nd punk album in two days, good news! I really enjoyed Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables by Dead Kennedys. This is exactly what this challenge is about: discovering albums I somehow missed along the way. And what a discovery this is. I absolutely loved it. This is proper punk — raw, political, furious, and full of energy from the first second to the last. Let’s Lynch the Landlord might be the most relatable track ever written for anyone who’s lived in London. Pure anger wrapped in the perfect punk song. The whole album hits hard, keeps the pace, and never drops the intensity. I’ll definitely be coming back to this. Favourite track: The cover of Viva Las Vegas is good fun, and Holiday in Cambodia is a brilliant, biting way to close things out. Least favourite track: Honestly, everything is fast, energetic, and fun — nothing worth skipping. Album artwork: A very cool, very punk cover
The presence of Alison takes this from a 4 to a 5.
Production and drums typically terrible for punk of this era but at least the Kennedys were trying something different. Vocals are more new wave. Some of the instrumentation and song structure was pretty interesting like on Drug Me. I don't really want to listen again but fair play, better than guy Ramones.
aw man i thought i was gonna like this better. if you take away the vocals this is not half bad. it has that certain trashy ramones vibe that i do enjoy when i’m in the right mood, but for most of this i found the singer’s voice/vocals very irritating.
I enjoyed the music and the messages of these tracks but I never really got into the vocals. It's a very distinctive style that maybe I'd grow to like on more listens, but I don't know that I liked the rest enough to persevere. I enjoy other versions of holidays in Cambodia and California Uber alles is a classic, but the rest didn't quite hit right for me.
Fun sound and I appreciate their messages. Don’t love the singer’s style/voice.
3/5
I thought this was going to be loud and boring but I kinda of liked it. Like the Sex Pistols but better.
Not the biggest fan but I understand their influence
Political punk rock from the early 80s just sounds dated.
i certainly see the appeal, and i like to lynch landlords as much as the next guy, but musically there's other punk, etc that speaks to me more. inarguably correct inclusion for the list though of course
This is just fun grunge and right up my alley. I love the Dead Kennedys. I love the instrumentals and the vocalist. However, I will admit there is a better version of "Holiday in Cambodia" on another album. Some of my favorite Kennedys songs are here tho. I didn't know I needed this version of "Viva Las Vegas" in my life. The guitar parts are fun. Good news - If you don't like a song, they are all short Liked Songs: "Kill the Poor" , "Forward to Death" , "When Ya Grt Drafted" , "Let's Lynch the Landlord" , "California Über Alles" , "I Kill Children" , "Stealing People's Mail" , "Funland at the Beach" , "Holiday in Cambodia" , "Viva Las Vegas"
This blows. Borderline unlistenable. 1.5
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables is a strange one because i feel like i should like it more than i should. One thing i will say is that it is some of the most chaotic music i have ever heard. Throughout every song's relatively short runtime, This album just hits you very hard with the guitars and the fast melodies. It definitely is very surprising but you eventually get used to it over time. This chaotic nature was something i definitely enjoyed about this album. But other than that, I'm not all too sure of anything else that stands out about this album. It is a very solid album but i just don't think there is a special reason for me to recommend it. Best Song: California Uber Alles Worst Song: Chemical Warfare
This album is far too hard for me to rank fairly, yet I will make an attempt. When I say this album is "hard", I mean that it is so abrasive, in your face aggressive, punchy, fast, listening to it cover to cover is kind of difficult, yet it's all over so fast. This speed, however, works to the album's detriment, as the entire experience felt like a blur, with around about half of the songs clocking in under 2 minutes. I will give the album credit, as the political themes are very well presented and probably play a significant role as to why the album sounds the way it does. This album might just be a case of me not quite getting it, but I just don't really care all too much for this style of punk over others. Fine album, but just not for me. 7/10
#bangin . short and sweet mang i love it ! don't really have much to say i just like how crazy this guy is. really gets me going
Pretty cool album but I don’t know if id listen again
really is the gold standard for punk albums.
7/10
This album isn’t going to get great reviews but it checks every box for what I love about punk. It’s loud, fast, and irreverent. One thing I have always liked is how Holiday in Cambodia basically sounds like a surf rock song in a minor key. It gives the whole track this twisted beach vibe that makes the message hit even harder. Jello Biafra is totally unhinged, the guitars are buzzing nonstop, and even their “Viva Las Vegas” cover gets new lyrics to make it more cynical.
Wow wow wow wow Eat the Poor!!!
Eh
Energetic! Chemical Warfare is quite something. Holiday In Cambodia was my favourite.
The debit album from one of the most important and influential punk bands to ever exist. This shit is fast and hard, as expected from the genre, but several things set DK apart, making them an essential part of music history. Biafra's trilling voice is among the most understandable of punk front men at the time, which is good because their lyrics are both funny and politically charged. The latter is important because the liberal messages from bands like DK became an important antidote to the white supremacist punks starting to emerge at the same time and in years that followed. I've admired Biafra for continuing his activisim in support of the environment, humans and music. One think I have always appreciated about DK was how varied their instrumentation was, at least for a punk band. Punk is about energy attitude. This focus too often caused many songs from acts to sound too similar. With DK, you see more intent and experimentation. Each song sounds distinct. They get even better at this later, but you can ear the bud emerging on fruits. DK was a big part of the soundscape if my teen years. These days it is rare for me to play an album more that once per week. I had no such affliction as a teen and whenever I was pissed at the world, DK was on frequent rotation. It was fucking fun revisiting this music. Fruit is not DK's best album, although there are timeless tunes here, but this album an important part of music history, with numerous citing the music as a influence for decades to follow. I think it is an album everyone should listen to before they die, especially when you are pissed at the world. As I write this we are <1 year into the second Trump adminstration are there are plenty of reasons to be angry. Why not give it an appropriate soundtrack? Also, Nazi punks fuck off!
Boring punk with annoying voice
Funny little album
Eh
I don't generally like punk music, but I like this very much. The lead singer is awful, but compelling. This album, as the kids say, fucks.
Early punk yay, still ass.