Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Je connaissais pas mais très sympa ! Petite réserve sur la voix du chanteur que je trouve pas incroyable mais sinon j'adore les groupes dynamiques comme ça, la punk finalement. Pas trop de chanson préférée par contre, c'est très cool dans l'ensemble mais un peu toujours la même chose malgré quelques trucs qui varient un peu de temps en temps.
J’avais écouté quelques sons il y a longtemps mais c’était cool d’écouter davantage. C’est top et c’est dynamique ! Message impactant aussi de part le style et l’histoire du groupe
Dated yet fucking excellent.
Banger of the album: Stealing People's Mail Unexpected Elvis cover goes hard
Great early punk/hardcore. Enjoyed the simplicity of the lyrics.
Early Punk easy 4
This is good for punk rock, which I am learning to appreciate
Du punk américain qui sonne comme du punk british. Très efficace, des messages passent, ça n’a pas le temps d’être chiant, certaines deviennent même des hymnes instantanés comme “Kill the poor”. Défoulant et rigolo.
Much better than I was expecting musically and lyrically. Def had me speeding beyond my norm a few times.
-i’ve been wanting to listen to Dead Kennedys for a while now, having heard they’re one of if not the best punk band(s). i was not disappointed. this is so exciting and fun while also being really hard-hitting -definitely stands out as a contender for one of the best hardcore punk albums i’ve heard. would like to get more into this band i think -Favorites are Kill The Poor, When Ya Get Drafted, Ill in the Head, and Holiday in Cambodia
Based on the album name and cover I was a little worried about this one. Turns out it was pretty good, punk but different. It felt a lot like organized chaos. The guitar in Drug Me rocked. I don't really love violence as an answer so some were a little harsh but then again so are roaches up to your knees and water pouring through the ceiling. This is another album that makes me happy for this project, somebody new and different I would not have been exposed to otherwise.
"Let me start by saying, I'm utterly disgusted with the former members of the Dead Kennedys." - Jello Biafra Never listened to this band before. I like their style of punk rock.
The first song on this album was certainly an appropriate one to get today. We're just kicking the poor out of DC now? I wonder how Jane Fonda feels about that. A lot of this album is still very relevant today. The world keeps spinning, but so many things never change. Aside from its lyrical relevance, I also enjoyed how rockin' and raw and manic this was. The Elvis cover at the end felt very right for this too, lol. Great debut!
My anti-social high school days come crashing back as this one plays.
Hell yeah Jello
Last song was crazy. Drunken, menacing, and with a sudden abrupt ending.
It’s tempting to see Fresh Fruit… as a potted history of punk past, present and still to come: record opener “Kill the Poor” recalls the Sex Pistols (from a whole three years previous; an age, I suppose, at that most feverishly innovative point in musical history) as well as fellow example-followers like The Undertones and The Saints, while “Holiday in Cambodia” and its raging guitars and dark atmospherics harks back to Stooges while setting the scene for Husker Du, Mission of Burma, Killing Joke (and by extension Fugazi, Drive Like Jehu, Pixies…). It’s an album for posterity, for sure, but judged on its own merits it’s still a thrilling listen. Dead Kennedys do the impossible – and it really might have seemed impossible up to that point – and update punk’s sneer with a functioning sense of humour while losing none of the genre’s thrust and directness. This is still an angry record, a critical record – it’s just not taking itself so seriously (or, rather, it redraws what we mean by serious in the first place). I was sent pogoing around the kitchen by the clutch of triumphant choruses (is that Greenday I hear in the distance…), gasped in pleasant surprise at the moments of silliness and circus misdirection (and gasped again at the snatched sequences of mellifluous, albeit sarcastically rendered songcraft) and only once felt the smile leave my face (“Holiday in Cambodia” demands a stoney, solemn expression for its verses). In so many ways this is a joyfully disorientating listen. It stands to reason, then, that Dead Kennedys did more to give punk a life after the 70s than any other band.
This would have been a definite 4 when I was in my early teens and first discovered it. Now as an adult revisiting it after listening to hundreds of other punk records I'm not sure how to rate it. The good songs are by far some of the best punk has to offer (Cambodia, California) but theres a lot of stuff i'd now consider filler. It can't be lower than a three, I enjoy the speed and energy, theres no doubt Jello writes a catchy chorus and East Bay Ray's jazz influenced guitar lines are ultimately what puts this above many others. Yet Damaged by Black Flag came out 1 year later and I find Rollins chorus' more catchy and Greg Ginn's jazz influenced guitar lines far more effective. I'm going to give it a 4 with the understanding it is a low 4 and while definitely containing some of punks best songs, is not representative of punks best albums.
Quality punk. Good riffs, perfectly irreverent vocal delivery and lyrics, short and to the point. Shame that the single version of Cambodia had such better production - that and having Police Truck on the final cut would have probably pushed this to a 5. Kill the Poor (8/10) Forward to Death (6/10) When Ya Get Drafted (7/10) Let’s Lynch the Landlord (8/10) Drug Me (7/10) Your Emotions (8/10) Chemical Warfare (8/10) California Uber Alles (8/10) I Kill Children (7/10) Stealing People’s Mail (9/10) Funland at the Beach (7/10) Ill in the Head (7/10) Holiday in Cambodia (10/10) Viva Las Vegas (8/10) 7.7/10
I really liked the song titles and I do enjoy rock music but I feel like the songs were too similar. The violence theme gave me a good laugh though
Nostalgic, fast, political, pretty much everything I love about punk in this band. It's not perfect, but it was fun, and catchy in a chaotic sort of way. Loved going back to this.
jello? can you hear me? I had kinda forgot how formative some of these songs were until adrian reminded me of how many of them were featured in ski/snowboard/skate films and games that I'd watch on repeat growing up. So that gets a spare star add
The vocals here are unerringly entertaining. I find that, with punk, the singing can either make or break the music. As they should in any genre – because, generally, vocals are the focal point of any piece that includes them. Jello Biafra isn't exactly technically good with his voice, but he has this playful raspiness that really lifts the experience past most of the Dead Kennedys' contemporaries. The instrument playing is a bit brutish and (for the most part) lacks technique, but in this case I'm convinced that's an artifact of the genre rather than of these specific players. In Drug Me, the guitar and bass start absolutely shredding and you realise that these Kennedys are very much Alive. Staying true to punk rock, the album is mostly focused on underdeveloped motifs, loud noises, and sticking the finger to a perceived "musical establishment." The way I see it, the Dead Kennedys made the best of a bad trend. Then there are the lyrics, which normally I don't pay much attention to but are simply too comedic to let pass: "Oh, life's a dream with you Miss Lily White / Jane Fonda on the screen today / Convinced the liberals it's okay / So let's get dressed and dance away the night / While they kill, kill, kill, kill, kill the poor" "I am Governor Jerry Brown / My aura smiles and never frowns / Carter power will soon go away / I will be Führer one day" "We're gonna steal your mail / By the pale moonlight / We better not get caught / We'll be dumped in institutions / Where we'll be drugged and shocked / Till we come out born-again Christians" 4/5 Key tracks: Kill The Poor, Chemical Warfare, Viva Las Vegas
1980 California punk written to shock and to rile. Also, it's pretty funny and catchy. This isn't as musically innovative as a lot of things that I rate highly on this list, but I think we all need to listen to Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables. If song titles like 'Let's Lynch the Landlord' don't give you an idea what you're in for, I can't help. My favourite tracks are 'Holiday In Cambodia' and 'Kill The Poor', with additional props to their surprisingly straight cover of 'Viva Las Vegas.' Top notch, old-school punk. You should listen. 4/5
Острый, ядовитый и искусно-грязный.
Eerste deel van het album vind ik vrij matig. Kon me wel goed voorstellen hoe deze muziek boze pubers in de jaren '80 heeft laten rioten. Het album werd voor mij interessant vanaf Chemical Warfare. Die laatste minuut was erg cool met name. Holiday in Cambodja verdient een mention, blijft een mooie. En was ook onder de indruk van Ill In The Head. Heel leip nummer
Coll album
one of the punk debut ever
Fast and furious, very few missteps. Kill the Poor is a strong opener and we don't slow down much after that. When Ya Get Drafted has some of the best riffing. Let's Lynch the Landlord does offer a brief respite from the breackneck pace (if not the social commentary) but Drug Me is even more brutal. Super quick playing with horror movie strings - killer. California Uber Alles is another top track, slowing down in the middle to chug along before the catchy verse and chorus return. Great outro riff too. Holiday In Cambodia is as good as ever and easily the highlight of the record. Expanded edition is worth playing too, especially for Police Truck on the second disc. Do I wish the production was a bit better and some of the songs were longer? Maybe, but that's missing the point. So much raw aggression captured here and 45 years later their anger is still very relevant. Still torn on the rating, but it's between 4 and 5 stars.
Oh yes! How can we forget the Dead Kennedys? I used to love this album back in my late teens. It definitely provided an outlet for all my angst and confusion. What really hooked me was Jello’s witty sarcasm. Although the lyrics no longer resonate with me, it’s fun to revisit this album for old times’ sake. Plus, how can you go wrong with the fast-paced surf guitar riffs that the Dead Kennedys are known for?
A standard for hard core punk. Solid band, solid album. A top pick for punk fans. The politically charged lyrics and solid riffs make this debut standout among others.
Reminds me of my teenage years!
Love this band
According to these lyrics, not much has changed in society.
A late punk masterpiece from the Dead Kennedys!
Punk can be hit and miss for me, but this was great. 2022 mix itself sounded decent, songs were surprisingly varied, can hear the influence they had on System of a Down as well on tracks like 'Chemical Warfare'.
Not bad
Raw, against everyone and everything while not being even slightly pretentious and not trying to be musically likeable. True punk as it should be. Also beautifully gives an understanding of the chaotic absurd and cruel world we live in.
4/5 Explosive punk tunes without a censor, not one bad tune. They found their sound and style and hit you with it full throttle, without fault, for just over half an hour. Top 3 Songs: Holiday in Cambodia Chemical Warfare Kill the Poor
Jello is an asshole but he makes good music, what else can you say?
The band that influenced System of a Down
It's The Suede Denim Secret Police 1001 Albums Generator 50 (06/11/2025) 50 albums in, wow! Dead Kennedys are one of the most popular hardcore punk bands of all time. They are a band who I was familiar with for years before I started listening to any punk, and this is in part due to their highly controversial name. One thing that I think is so interesting is that their name was actually against the assassinations of JFK and RFK, as opposed to what many contemporaries (and modern listeners) believe. Dead Kennedys are defined by the unique voice of Jello Biafra and the angular, surprisingly technical guitar playing of East Bay Ray. Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables, donned by a picture of cars on fire taken during riots in San Francisco, is the debut album by Dead Kennedys, released in 1980. This album is full of hits on hits. The opening song, Kill The Poor, features satirical lyrics sung from the perspective of someone offering a solution to the poverty in the US. In the words of Sam Hyde "we're just gonna kill em". The chorus is so catchy, and I caught myself singing it throughout the day, forgetting what the words are that I was saying. California Uber Alles has been my favorite Dead Kennedys song since the first time I heard it. Although the specific politician Biafra is singing about is long gone from any sort of public knowledge, the song itself is so timeless. With its surf punk undertones and the great bridge that cuts to half time, this song is just so unique. Holiday In Cambodia is their biggest song. I know Biafra said "the word" but come on, this song is so great. East Bay Ray's unique, heavily delayed guitar parts are so weird, and once again, the chorus is great. Also, does punk get better than the build-up of Pol Pot chants near the end? Just awesome. This album is also weird as hell. The manic energy of Drug Me's verses is insane. I can't claim to know a single word that Jello Biafra is saying in this song except for his signature vibrato'd "drug me" in the chorus, but I love how it sounds. Chemical Warfare features a cursed carnival part before erupting into just pure chaotic noise with the sound of people having been bombed in the background. The most underrated song on this album by far is the progressive Ill In The Head. I cannot believe that I haven't ever seen someone mention how much this sounds like a Voivod song, 4 years before Voivod released their first album. This is the only song that featured founding guitarist 6025, who left before Fresh Fruit was released, supposedly due to musical differences. The one complaint I could understand about this album is that Biafra's vocal style can be offputting. Hell, the first time I heard this album, I was not a big fan of his voice, but it has grown on me. I can't imagine a song like California Uber Alles without his amazing vibrato. Besides a few more forgettable songs in the tracklist, such as I Kill Children and Funland At The Beach, this album is quite consistent in quality. Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables is a hardcore punk classic for a reason. From its scathing satirical lyrics (remember when leftists were actually cool?) to its surprisingly diverse sound throughout its runtime, Dead Kennedys knocked it out of the park with their debut. 4.5/5, rounded down to a 4. Favs: Kill The Poor California Uber Alles Ill In The Head Least Fav: Funland At The Beach
skemmtilegt popppönk. hlustaði mikið sem unglingur. alltaf haldið upp á þá þó svo að hlaupkallinn sé líklega fáviti.
Nydeleg!
America needs more Dead Kennedys. Take that however you will.
Personal favorite from my youth. Sadly, it is still relevant tonally if not always topically.
no los conocia y me ha encantado super punki super en mi onda . sin duda los escuchare mucho mas’!!! 9/10
Enjoyed this album. Vocals not favorite but enjoyed it.
Going into this I was loosely familiar with the Dead Kennedys' heavier punk and political messaging but was only familiar with Holiday in Cambodia (shout out Guitar Hero III). As someone that has hated all of the harder rock and punk that has been thrown at me during this gauntlet... this bumps. I love how fast the songs move, they don't outstay their welcome. (I listened to the 2022 Mix) All of the songs were understandable and layered extremely well. What a strong debut album
it rocks
4/5
You know, I really kinda needed some punk rock. Dead Kennedys aren’t my favorite but this was pretty good, not too abrasive but still pretty solid punk.
I’m not super familiar with The Dead Kennedys. They’ve always been one of those bands that I’ve known about and known I’d really like them, but never go into. Maybe I didn’t first learn about them at young enough age? This was fantastic.
I like california uder alles
I left my veggies out in the rain
Enjoyed it!
A classic that I am happy to revisit. Great singing, great lyrics and great energy. 4.25/5
I was in a bad mood.
Amazing. Raw, direct, very garage sound.
3.5
This was a banger, love the energy, the variety, and the great insight into how landlords should be treated.
I would have loved this when I was 15. Still pretty good now tbh
There’s a reason Dead Kennedys were so important to punk and hardcore, and that’s because they were formative in the movement. This isn’t brilliant, but it’s very, very good - California Uber Alles, Holiday in Cambodia, Kill the Poor are all absolute classics.
Dead Kennedys were not one of My Bands as a youth, not sure why. Maybe this album is just particularly rad, but it caught me off guard. Musically a lot more interesting than I ever gave em credit for. Good band.
Pretty good
Absolut wegweisende Punk Historie 🔥 🖤
Punk Classic. Fav Track: Kill The Poor
Classic early punk album
Seminal punk rock right here. The genre was burgeoning around this time and beginning to evolve into a more hardcore sound. Enter Dead Kennedys to usher things along; with their rapid surf rock based sound and the funny-sounding, yet unmistakable Jello Biafra on vocals. Politically charged, sharp and witty vocals, and jam-packed in just over 30 minutes. About all you can ask for from an early 80's punk rock record.
Look, I know it's from a different album, but since I don't know if that one will come up here I just want to make sure it gets said, because it needs saying: Dear Nazi Punks (elected and otherwise): FUCK OFF.
Energetic, chaotic and rebellious. This is my first proper listen of the Kennedys and I really dig it. Definitely will re-visit this one.
Short, and to the point. Nice
Since Minor Threat was my first love in punk everything before always struck me as hokey and underpowered, this included. And Jello Biafra's voice was an immediate turn off so I really never gave this a chance. Big. Mistake. Like lots of early punk stuff this IS just basic rock-n-roll played harder faster and louder, they keep the surf rock style and guitar solos and everything, but it's blistering paced on the verge of chaos at all times, sped up so much that there's a qualitative transformation: it distorts into deforms itself something else entirely: like a band trying to reach escape velocity. Amazing to hear zero subtlety political satire that still feels super relevant - probably because it's full of righteous rage but also funny and direct and not milquetoast indie liberalism full of vague universals.
Dead Kennedys ... as always creative, innovative and simply very good punk
Oh yes! How can we forget the Dead Kennedys? I used to love this album back in my late teens. It definitely provided an outlet for all my angst and confusion. What really hooked me was Jello’s witty sarcasm. Although the lyrics no longer resonate with me, it’s fun to revisit this album for old times’ sake. Plus, how can you go wrong with the fast-paced surf guitar riffs that the Dead Kennedys are known for?
A straight-ahead rocker. Dead Kennedys might be a 'love them or hate them' band, I suppose that whole genre is kind of the same. I love this album. It's not perfect by any means but if it were perfect it wouldn't really be a punk album, would it? Yes, it's repetitive. No, the vocals are not fantastic (relative to other genres I suppose...). Yes, the music is simple. But it's a really raw and strong record and that’s all it is trying to be. Great political and social commentary. Like it or not, I think they nailed what they were trying to accomplish with this one. 4/5
It's early April 2025 - the global economy is being melted for no real purpose. Tracks like "Kill the Poor" land a little different. Or maybe they don't.
Punk how I like it. Raw, energetic, uncompromising, critical lyrics. A great sequel to the Sex Pistols.
Awesome!
Finally a punk rock album with some character. I enjoyed the energy and rebellious lyrics. Bonus points for having a Guitar Hero 3 song: Holiday in Cambodia
Holiday in Cambodia
Ticks all the punk boxes.
Holiday in Cambodia
better than expected
incredible attitude.. hallituksen roistot, fasistipaskat. 19984 , vuosi on tuhat yhdeksänsataa tuhatta kahdeksan neljä, ja perkele asiat on mennyt aivan vinksalleen. vapaa puhumislaki riistetty kaikilta, lisäksi kaikki ihmeen ihme henkilöt sirkus groteskit kävelee kadulla eikä tomaattia heitellä palvotaan vaan. ihme irvokkaita palvotaan vaan menkään vaan, saa vapaasti mennä naisten vessaan irvokkaat.. lentokoneella lennätetään kaikki vintiöt tänne, hei nyt käytetään kaikki resurssit että tuodaan vintiöt tänne.. huhhuh onneksi näin ei käynyt ja sen sijaan vapautettiin ehkä tämä puhe, saa puhua nyt onnekx.. holiday in cambodia
Punk as punk can get.
Okay I really liked this. I knew Holiday in Cambodia, but that's it. I've always been a casual punk listener and am happy to use this project as a way to fill in the gaps. This is one of my favorite punk albums that I've heard (so far).
4-
4.5/5. Would’ve been a perfect score if it had Nazi Punks Fuck Off.
With refrains like "kill kill kill kill kill the poor" and "economy is looking bad, let's start a war / fan the fires of racist hatred, we want total war", just shows that time is a flat circle. What big business wants, big business gets... Face kicking punk for you fuckers
I did not expect to see a Dead Kennedys album, that’s for sure. What I’ve heard of and what I had listened to from these guys did not prepare me for this album. What I knew was politics and anger and the same tempo music at every turn. I was right after listening to this but I was also surprised with the catchiness of most of the songs. I was surprised to find out that Let’s Lynch the Landlord was their song after I had heard the much different Faith No More version. The band is better than I thought . I was a DK fan first through nostalgia but I’m now invested. I can’t say the same for you, dear reader. I do not know what you seek to find. Choice cut: Let’s Lynch the Landlord
Lots of fantastic tracks somewhat let down by a poor recording.
Found the 2022 Mix and was much better on the ears.
fun above-average punk album with extra charm and some lyrics that would no doubt be truly meaningful if i could make them out
начало в When Ya Get Get Drafted пиздец напомнило мне Бременских Музыкантов
Classic! Though I do hate Jello Biafra's weirdly warbling voice and he's way too loud in the mix.
Jello Biafra’s voice hits the perfect warble during California Uber Alles, which feels as dangerous today as it did as in 1980, if not more so with our current political situation
Elemental powerful U.S. punk with classics. Some brutal raw guitar.
I enjoyed this one. I'm not sure why I haven't heard more Dead Kennedys, I was only familiar with one song on the album.
I really respect the Dead Kennedys, they are such punk pioneers and a lot of bands I like (punk/new punk and not punk alike) wouldn't be here without them. But I can't listen to them for too long. Maybe it's Biafra's vocals. Maybe their style is a little too frantic or they use too many off kilter rhythms. But there is no other band quite like them. Clever/witty as hell and energy for days. I don't think you can spell subversive without Dead Kennedys. They absolutely nail it on Kill the Poor, California Über Alles, and Holiday in Cambodia. I also got a kick out of Let's Lynch the Landlord, Chemical Warfare, I Kill Children, and Stealing People's Mail. It may not be the best album ever made, but it's an important one.
A cheery punk dystopian album. Heck, it starts with a cheery song about killing the poor. If that's not genius, I don't know what is. Really fun, clever punk album, with a lot of surprisingly unusual guitar sounds and progressions (for punk, at least). Jello Biafra has a kind of insane way of singing, but I dig it. The whole album is a little too insane to call a 5, but I'd definitely revisit. Favorite tracks (but I liked pretty much all of them): Kill the Poor, When Ya Get Drafted, Let's Lynch the Landlord, Drug Me (really cool unusual chords in this one), Chemical Warfare, California Uber Alles (classic).
The singing style of Jello Biafra I'm sure will turn many off on the Dead Kennedys. That being said this is a great album if you like punk music from the East Bay. This album has classics like "Kill the Poor", "California Uber Alles," and of course "Holiday in Cambodia." No journey down the punk rabbit hole is complete without a listen to this album.
Ancestral mosh music
Tis a Holiday in Cambodia
I was fully prepared to not like this at all - I am no lover of punk music - but I had fun listening to it! Incorrigibly cheeky and much more musically varied than I thought. Probably not one I'll reach for in the future, but I had a good time listening to it.
Would have loved this back in my punkier days. Now, just ok.
Made it through my teenage punk rock phase without ever listening to Dead Kennedys. What a great album!
These guys are saying some undeniable things and they're sounding good while doing it!
yeah this shit goes so hard !! its so hard to imagine american music with any kind of political messaging now ... album kicks ass for a multitude of reasons!
I liked a lot of this and want to check out more from them. 4/5
Interesting. I have never heard anything like this before. 4/5
8/10. No jojo referance. Sad
7/10… punk
Early punk, more tongue-in-cheek than angry. Lives on the lighter, more fun side of the punk street.
Very interesting album, throws an aggressive idea after an aggressive idea. And some... a lot of those ideas still hold up today. Some were there as a sarcasm to show off humanity's fall. Experiments with changing speed, some songs are perfectly understandable, some make you go 'wait, you can speak that fast?' Relatively strong 4. I'm not sure if it's for me, but it has something, and it's better than the previous punk 4 I gave.
An all-out pummeling punk album. The social and political commentary may be too much sometimes but it's always delivered in this sardonic and cynical way the makes it more appealing for me. Surprisingly fun. Key tracks: Kill the Poor California Uber Alles Holiday in Cambodia
A true classic of west coast punk.
Better musicians than I was expecting. Has lost its shock.
Legendary Punk!
As a starting point for Hardcore this works really well, and i love this album, but i think it has some flaws, and plastic surgery disasters might be a better package overall
🤘
Remember downloading this form Limewire and listening to it so much at uni. Still love it. Melodies and messages and a sense of humour.
loud, fast, angry and a tonne of fun
I think this is the first Punk album in this list I actually enjoyed listening to. It's energetic and infuriating in the best way possible. If I was to fault it on anything I'd say it's a bit all over the place in terms of theme
Highlights: Kill The Poor, Forward to Death, Chemical Warfare, Holiday in Cambodia, Viva Las Vegas. In a nutshell: picking up the torch from The Sex Pistols. Fuck, this was a fun listen. I forgot how fun punk can be. Overall: 7/10
À la fois punk et prog, plus d’épaisseur et de recherche musicale que le punk auquel on pense spontanément, mais avec la même verve
I usually don’t go for this type of music, but The Dead Kennedys just know how to do it right. The vocals take some time to get adjusted to, but I liked it.
Is it perfect? No. Is it angry. Yes. Funny at times? You know it. Do I love it? Heck yeah.
nice punk album
I liked this more the more I listened to it. Nice to see some punk representation on the list. Better than the Ramones. Fight me. 4/5 Highlights: Let’s Lynch The Landlord Chemical Warfare Viva Las Vegas
DK. ‘Nuff said
Some fun punk music, it has lots of energy and anger about it, but I felt like it didn’t take itself too seriously. I really liked the tone of the lead singer’s voice.
OK so it's probably the smartest punk album of all time and it's still kicks you in the ass
jello biafra is kinda my perfect man if u think abt it…….. highlights: kill the poor, let’s lynch the landlord, california über alles, stealing people’s mail, holiday in cambodia (sep 2 2024)
Relatable.
I like this a lot. I've listened to a few songs in the past but never sat down with the full album. It's not rotten
Onestamente? 4. Finalmente qualcosa di politicante che è anche piacevole da sentire
I like punk apparently? Still feels very relevant 44 years (!) later
This album reminds of the first few seasons of South Park. It feels like it's trying really hard to be edgy and offensive, but with an undercutting cynicism toward both the problem and the solution to the problem. However, the medium works perfectly. This is high energy punk music that shows up to be rude and make you listen, and I enjoyed the experience.
I wish I had found this when I was younger. Like this now, would have loved it as a teenager.
kill the poor ultra geilomat sehr schnell sehr heavy. forward to death no schneller sehr aggro. d lieder sind so churz aaaaaah hahaha lets lynch the landlord aber echt mann. find alles goht z schnell zum ufschribe aber gnüsses easy s isch huere hässig aber mit grund und d musig goht looos. i like. guete punk. wow en 3-minütige song! wow er heisst california uber alles! de beat isch geil! er singt super! i kill children (cool äh ok). sie sind unglaublich edgy aber ich nimms ihne irgendwie ab. steaking peoples mail findi huuuuere funny. d songs sind eh huuere abwechsligsriich. holiday in cambodia isch goooooil. obviously e single. super. viva las vegas findi etz nöd nötig aber s het worschinli irgend en sinn im johr 1980 und d lyrics sind vilicht nöd die gliche wie im original?
FREUMIII hahaha omg es blecht und tuet und er chan nöd singe ich liebs LETS LYNCH THE LANDLORD SO GEIL actually es geils gitarresolo findi hahaha drug me isch sehr weird aber gaht huere ab chemical warfare het en mega geil break grundsätzlich hets immer wieder riffs und parts vo lieder wo echt überraschend und kreativ sind holiday in cambodia isch wieder chli es highlight, v.a. de ahfang findi supeer mitem hi hat vom schlagzüg also, s het nöd alles vollends überzügt, aber es isch sehr churzwillig, schaffts iwie funny und ernsthaft glichzitig z sii und immer wieder hets sache gha wo mich überrascht hend. knapps 4i
Pretty good.
It's virtually impossible to be this obnoxious and good simultaneously. Holiday in Cambodia and Chemical Warfare are personal favorites
Like the music. Not loving the vocalist. Vocals got better through the album.
There's just such a fun energy to this album. The vocal fry of the lead singer lends to the subtle sarcasm that the album projects to me. 4.5
V good
Some fun punk. I have always enjoyed It's a Holiday in Cambodia, but for some reason it sounded different to me this time around. Maybe I have been listening to a different version.
New respect for that kid in high school who always wore a Dead Kennedys tshirt
A cut above most punk bands of the time. Lyrically there's weighty issues wrapped in sarcasm. The band can play well and there's quite a bit of variety in the tracks.
My favorite Dead Kennedys release. Probably my favorite punk album in general.
Brilliant reflection of a desperate time in San Francisco. I went to live in London just before Harvey Milk was murdered. Missed the riots. I might have died if I stayed there.
Enjoyed it a lot
Finishing this album off with a cover of Elvis' Viva Las Vegas is genius. Punchy political parody packed into a punk-shaped pill.
If I had a punk phase growing up, Dead Kennedys would definitely be one of my favorites. Raucous, silly, sharp lyrics, interesting lead vocals.
I would never turn down an opportunity to listen to some DK. Angry, aggressive, funny, sarcastic. All of this.
Enjoyed that 👍
I've always liked The Dead Kennedys. They're a bit ridiculous and hyper politically conscious. Many songs are sungs sardonically from the perspective of right wing warmongers and capitalists, but there's never any doubt about Jello Biafra'a leanings. Despite being a fairly niche band, they were a particular target of Tipper Gore and her crusade to eliminate bad words from the recording industry. Maybe their provocative name caught her attention. This is what the Dead Kennedys are best known for. And to top it off, the music is great. They were a punk band after most of the original punk bands had moved on, but they also included a lot of surf rock and a bit of experimentation. This combined with the biting political lyrics are what made this band. At least if you're like minded to Biafra. If not, expect to hate this album.
Such a classic punk album, although I feel like the Dead Kennedys always came with enough variety to make them feel like they transcend the confines of punk. Jello Biafra is both wild and intelligent thanks to heavy doses of sarcasm and seriousness in his lyrics and performances. His voice is one of a kind and his influence on singers to come is very apparent. The band is really tight for the genre too, still maintaining a raw sound but with levels of precision in the intensity that few other punk bands could reach. I completely agree to this being an album everyone should experience at least once, even if it’s not your thing.
Assault punk! I love these guys. The goofiness of Chemical Warfare sounds a bit like Mr. Bungle. Actually, I hear a lot of Bungle weirdness in this album. It isn't just a straight punk album, there's some circus rock, surf rock, odd breakdowns, etc. These guys stand apart from other punk contempraries. My favorite song on here is California Uber Alles.
The founding fathers of "Fuck You" Punk music
Formative hardcore punk record.
One of the best punk bands for a reason! 4/5
Classic punk album. I’m not well versed in the genre, but this was pretty good.
Thoroughly enjoyable and nicely varied for a punk album. I didn't feel like I was listening to the same slurred song for thirty-five minutes like I often do with bad punk. This was a great introduction to the Dead Kennedys!
A kamikaze mix of punk, hardcore, surf rock and power pop, and covering the topics of conservatism, violence, overbearing authority, and capitalist greed, ‘Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables’ is brutally satirical, darkly funny and extremely clever. And to top it all off, right at the end, their cover of ‘Viva Las Vegas’ is so absurd, it’s hilarious. I liked this a lot.
Very classic punk Can’t get past the vocals instrumentals are dynamic Lyrics good Nice quick songs
Potent stuff. High-energy punk. The pace is pretty solid and sets it apart as a defining record of this genre. It has that raw production that adds to its rebellious sound. I love it and think it's incredible. It's a must listen for anyone interested in the roots of hardcore punk.
Not a huge punk fan but this is a fun album.
One of the greatest punk bands of all time. Amazing album that’s still relevant today.
My old bones can't keep up with these young kids and their fast music these days. Can't we go back to a simpler time when no one talked about the problems discussed on this record? Top tier "fuck you" punk that is very much served by a great mix of melodic vocals and chants, combined with tight, punctuated guitar riffs.
Punchy instrumentation is fused with trenchant social critique in this blissfully bitter early hardcore punk declaration.
#242. This is way better than any of those 'classic' British punk bands could ever hope to be. The Clash and The Sex Pisols and all that were a bit trash, on the whole, but Dead Kennedys and Bad Brains and such helped turned punk into something actually worth listening to. This album isn't just 15 exactly the same songs like so much punk before it. 4/5: fresh *this is the twenty fifth album I purchased from this list Song added to playlist: Holiday In Cambodia I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
Fast-paced, entertaining, left anti-establishment messaging... all the hallmarks of early punk and of good punk, at least to my taste. My peace was disturbed a few times while listening through (Chemical Warfare, Kill the Poor, Let's Lynch the Landlord), but that's the point so it's not like I can fault for that.
relatable i like it
Crazy energy bomb. Loved it all the way through. Maybe the other album was better but that's mostly songs from this one so...
i love a clever album title, but i love a punk as hell album cover! i'm obsessed that the dead kennedys walked the walk. their music is so abrasive, like all punk, but is truly catchy. they don't have the mainstream sound that the clash did, but unlike "noise rock" (should not be a real genre), dead kennedys aren't making noise just to make noise. this alone sets them apart from other hardcore punk acts. what truly makes dead kennedys different is their commitment to social issues. i don't know the last time i heard an album covering such a range of social and political topics. sure, they can be blatant in their titles, like "chemical warfare," but what they were doing in 1980 was still decades ahead. "let's lynch the landlord" could have come out in 2020 during the pandemic and the Great Landlord Whining Session. "kill the poor" continues to be true and reflective of today's elite and powerful. "holiday in cambodia" is more relevant to the world events at that time, but the lyrics are remain sharp and biting. honestly, what's not to love?
This is the best album we've had in a little while - excellent punk energy, doesn't bother trying to be mainstream, but stays away from being deliberately impenetrable. Some savvy commentary in there, some of it is very specific to its context, but quite a lot of it translates pretty well to now. I don't think I'm punk enough to really really enjoy this album (to be honest, I'd have preferred a bit more tunefulness), but it definitely belongs on the list, it's got something to say, and it knows what it wants to be. 4/5.
"Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables" is the debut studio album by the Dead Kennedys. Hardcore punk, this album made waves for their aggressive, politically charged attitude, the album art of burning police cars during the White Night riots, and, of course, the controversial band name. This album is packed full of fast, exciting tracks, with smart musicality and a remarkable lead singer. "Holiday in Cambodia" is top notch and their cover of "Viva Las Vegas" is to be noted.
fun and energetic album - lots of discordant melodies, fast drums, heavy distortion, and social commentary all packaged into first gen hardcore punk
Some of the songs were a little too chaotic to be enjoyable, like Chemical Warfare (which is probably the point of that song), but overall I liked it! Solid punk rock. Gave me sort of a Dropkick Murphys vibe minus the Irish.
surf punk mayhem of noise and politics
One thing I'm finding with this list is that I absolutely love punk. Specifically US-based hardcore punk. This record was the Dead Kennedys' debut, and man what a trip this is. Super hard hitting and in-your-face sound. Lots of critics at the time compared them to the Sex Pistols, but I don't really see the comparison? Maybe a similar vocal style. What really set the Dead Kennedys apart from their contemporaries imo is their creativeness instrumentally. The bass lines are outstanding throughout. They're not just spamming the same few guitar chords (which isn't to say that style is bad). There's even some prog-ish (?) breakdowns on here.
These guys are generally very left-wing in their criticism of conservative politics and American love for property and violence, but they also criticize authority in general (including the current left-leaning governor of California) as well as hippies who they view as not doing enough to take action. Dead Kennedys are angry, and rightfully so. They criticize Khmer Rouge for their genocide, the US for their complicity, and the general public of western nations for their lack of care for fellow humans on the other side of the world. There’s some awesome protest songs in here, and on top of all of that, the cover of “Viva Las Vegas” fucking slaps.
Not my favorite album by them but still enjoyable. Favorite track: California Über Alles
High-quality punk album, catchy songs, rapid delivery, good flow.
I was between 3 and 4 starts for this. Definitely an important album, and I think "California Uber Alles" and "Holiday in Cambodia" are what pushes it past 3 stars for me.
I remember borrowing a cassette from my friend in 6th or 7th grade and hiding it from my parents. I only listened to it judiciously and to be honest didn't really understand much of the content until I was a fair bit older. Now I look back on this music fondly as being in true punk rock spirit. The band is exceptionally tight and skilled. Jello's vocals aren't for everyone but I find them angry and smart enough to roll with. There are some duds on this album but overall it's more good than meh. "Stealing people's mail" and "Chemical warfare" are unsung favorites in addition to the well-known tracks like "Holiday in Cambodia" and "California über Alles"
4 or 4.5. Classic.
Absolute anarchy. The wildest lyrics and angriest delivery. But the music bops, there’s so much depth here, from the power chords, to the keys in the background, synthesized noises, it just infects you and gets the head bobbing. The material is absolutely wild, but it clicks. I don’t even particularly like the singing, but I don’t hate the final product. Wired rating for me.
Listened 3/12/24. Angst ridden and thought provoking. Sadly the topics touched upon here in 1980 are still relevant today.
Dead Kennedys are great. An absolutely vital energy and ethos and message. 14 tracks in 33 minutes is just what I want from a punk record too. Absolutely loved hearing this for the first time in quite a while.
Another great Punk album that proves that a 14 song album can come in at 33 minutes and be perfect. DK perfected the style of music being used for shock value and still conveying an important message. 4.5/5
At the beginning of the album, I wasn’t feeling it, but by the end, I was definitely feeling the energy of the album. It won me over. I liked how consistent this album was, and it didn’t overstay its welcome.
awesome
While it suffers from the same issues as most punk albums, that being extremely repetitive, it also has plenty to stand out against its other famous punk acts. Not only are Jello Biafra's vocals iconic, charming, and really suits the lyrics that are coated in so much irony they feel more earnest than any other punk act, and the alien-like guitar playing lends itself well to it all. Songs blend, but you're never gonna feel like resting while listening to this, instead you're gonna feel like causing havoc, and other iconic punk acts from the time can't say that, I feel.
I can see the value as this threw me into a rage.
The album has a good energy and a bit of variety. The songs, though a bit repetitive, are quick enough to not overstay their welcomes. I'm not a huge punk fan, but I mostly enjoyed this album, and it gains points for daring to mess with the United States Postal Service.
This album is good for what it is.
How about “Kill the Poor” as a first track on a debut album? The Kennedys were authentic, that’s for sure. I love it, and I get the sarcasm, the satire, and the baiting going on here. But congrats, Jello, you got me. I don’t like fantasies about murdering people, and I don’t like references to killing children no matter the level of sarcasm or satire or fantasy. You’re smart enough to make your point a different way. 4/5
this album is so creative. great lyrics and really shows the dead kennedys’ influence on the hardcore movement
Knew of the Dead Kennedys but have never listened to them. I loved this. Felt like it could fit into today’s music.
Listen at 3/2/2024
This is really well made and I’m surprised at how much I enjoyed it. There was range and a unique style. It sounded original. Production is great and the lyrics are incredible. Funny while still getting their message across. Their version of “Viva Las Vegas” made really sold it for me though. I have no complaints really, though it can get a tad repetitive. 4/5
Yeah diggin this shit. Reminds of Craig from Park Lane the cook. So sad he died. :/ But not before making me a super cool mixed tape with a bunch of cool punk songs like from these guys, and black flag, circle jerks etc. Good shit. he's the one who showed me Pulp Fiction first I think. At gmas lol 4 Stars
Love me some DK
Honestly my fav of all the DK records, Jello Biafra is so amazing patron saint of san francisco punk, he is the best. His political outrage and diy attitude to culture jamming should be emulated by futrure generatuions to come
Very good
January 11, 2024 “Holiday in Cambodia”, “Kill the Poor”, “California Uber Alles”, “Drug Me” I don’t know if punk will ever be my “thing”, but this seems about as essential as any punk release, hardcore or otherwise. Jello Biafra seemed to know where right-wing politics were headed in our present day, well before Reagan was elected. Chilling yet fun. “Holiday in Cambodia” is an all-weather classic as well.
Rating: 8.5/10 Great punk album, loved the energy, riffs, and sarcastic lyrics and vocal delivery. Many amazing songs on this album that have memorable guitar riffs and lyrics, the band definitely sounds one-of-a-kind for a genre that is normally pretty one dimensional. The incorporation of surf-like riffs was also done very well, a great juxtaposition to the stereotypical power chord dominated riffs of punk rock. Some songs did not land with me though, the combination of the singing and riffs is not always great, but I definitely see why this album is considered a classic and beloved by many. Favorite songs: Kill the Poor, Forward to Death, When Ya Get Drafted, Let's Lynch the Landlord, Chemical Warfare, California Uber Alles, Ill in the Head, Holiday in Cambodia. Worst songs: Stealing People's Mail, Viva Las Vegas.
KILL THE POOR
Fuck yes. 4.5/5
I like “California über Alles.” A bit repetitive, so it’s hard to pick standouts. But that’s the nature of punk rock sometimes. The bassline in “I Kill Children” is cool. “Ill in the Head” has a lot of replay appeal.
I still love how this album punches at nearly everyone.
While punk isn’t my goto genre, I really love the Dead Kennedys. Jello has a particularly impactful style of delivering his lyrics and the band can play. I was first exposed to them listening to Holiday in Cambodia and while is still have to be in the mood to listen, I think this album is great.
This is one of my favorite punk albums ever. It's got cracking tunes that barrel along at a breakneck pace, without becoming repetitive. The songs are smart and funny, and Jello Biafra presents them with force and charisma. It is serious, but never self-serious. Following Holiday in Cambodia (an all-time classic) with a cover of Viva Las Vegas is the perfect encapsulation of what is great about this record. There's always room for Jello.
Killer
Seminal punk album from the Dead Kennedys. Mixing a great sense of humour with serious political commentary, all delivered with a sense of malice and urgency. It's all super tight as well - the punk aesthetic slightly obscuring the chops of a band who can really play as well.
Legendary album. Maybe it gets a bit monotonous after a while. Still amazing.
this was the correct length for a punk album
boobies
4 stars
Fun, punk, garage sound!
Кайфовый ранний панкушник в стиле Sex Pistols и Clash. Нравится, что тематика песен радикальна, но не прямолинейна.
I used to like punk. I still do, but I used to, too.
Gotta love me some DK. One of the better albums. Between chemical warfare and holiday in Cambodia, definitely a solid album.
Nearly perfect punk album, I own and love it. Overly sarcastic lyrics, delivered in Jello's signature tone. Simple guitar riffs, barely 30 minutes, *chef's kiss*
I was a big Dead Kennedys guy back in the day; this brought me back.
CALIFORNIA! UBER ALLES!
great to be honest, I would listen to it again
closer to a three than a five. great album, but jello's voice begins to become a bit grating after a little while.
Classic punk album
Classic DK album
Interesting to listen to this after recently listening to The Hives. I've been aware of the Dead Kennedys since I was probably 13 or 14, and am pretty sure I've listened to this album before though never owned it or considered myself a fan. But a phrase like "let's lynch the landlord" registered much differently now than it did back then, and I think I've maybe put a finger on why I've been so cold on the 2000s garage rock we've listened to on this list. The tunes on this record are fun AND about something. It's in your face and up your nose and I think that helps give it a maybe unexpected longevity that others lack. Contrast that with the Hives; are any of their songs about anything?? If they were, I couldn't tell. And not that every album needs to be political in any way shape or form. I love plenty of songs that are about shit all. Half the time I'm not even paying attention to the lyrics anyway. But it's nice to hear music like this that takes aim at all of America's bullshit and puts it in an energetic package that's got less to do with talent than sheer willpower. The first song is called "Kill the Poor" and you can sing along to it! That's a potent combination that will probably resonate as long as America is still being all America.
4.25
I mean, this is one of those albums that got me into punk and hugely influenced by political pov growing up in the post 9/11, "War on Terrorism" era. For a 15 song punk rock album, the songs show a pretty incredible variety.
Overall not my sound, but I can understand why they are so popular. The lyrics are sharp, the guitar work is interesting and varied. Really seems like an evolution from a lot of the punk in the 70s
A great punk album with some well played surf rock and rockabilly textures. And you can never get enough of Jello Biafra’s highly distinctive voice and snide lyrics.
I’m not sure why this stands out among the other socially-conscious punk we’ve heard on this list but something about it just seems … more genuine maybe? Or maybe more radical. 8/10
Holiday in Cambodia, and California Uber Alles were the first two Dead Kennedys songs I heard, and they made me seek this album out. It has great energy throughout. I even like the Viva Las Vegas cover, despite cover songs that completely subvert the genre generally seeming like gimmicks to me. Just a great 80s punk album with sneering sarcastic lyrics and fast music.
Listened to all of it. Great sound and a nice change from rock.
Great punk album. While I liked most song song I didn't love everyone but still solid start to finish.
Great album.
You can hear the influence from The Clash, Ramones, Sex Pistols, and, interestingly, jazz. I’m impressed with how varied the basslines are for a punk band; sold album.
Top notch punk. Love the vocal affectation, the surf guitar, the very forceful messages. Some unexpectedly creative musical ideas in here too, the guitar in Holiday in Cambodia is genuinely exciting.
Punk evolved. Never heard anything by them before, but it was most pleasant to listen to.
4.5/5
Now we're on my kind of music, some classic punk. Listened to this already many times, Dead Kennedys had a really interesting sound on here thanks to their surf-rock influence. Songs like 'Kill the Poor', 'Lets Lynch the Landlord', 'California Uber Alles' all are punk classics that I could listen to everyday and not tire of them. The only thing stopping me from giving it a 5 is a few tracks near the end running up to the legendary 'Holiday in Cambodia' which are a little weak and don't leave much of an impression even after all the listens i've given them. Regardless this is still a punk classic that anyone interesting in getting into the genre should listen through a couple times.
With the yelpy vocals, political lyrics and manic, twisted riffs this sounds remarkably like a System of a Down prototype in places, and that’s no bad thing. I find early punk pretty hit and miss, but this album is definitely one of the more interesting and fun examples of the genre I’ve come across. 3.5 stars, and a nice lil bump up for pleasantly surprising me.
entendible discazo teniendo california uber alles pero no es tanto mi kind of rock
Well for me, this is a classic formative album. I'll admit the vocals can be a bit hard to get used to, but conversely, there's just some fantastic songwriting here and some outright jams. Holiday in Cambodia is certainly a jam, as is California Uber Alles, but I must admit a big soft spot for Let's Lynch The Landlord which clearly states, unequivocally, exactly where their sympathies lie. IMHO a classic album that everyone should have heard at some point in their life... so a great inclusion on the list.
This got pretty repetitive listening to it all at once but I liked every song on the album. Good stuff to listen to but repeated listens are pretty hard.
Canciones rápidas y directas. Precursores de un estilo afilado. Los Sex Pistols americanos. Punk sin complicaciones
This band still cuts through - Holiday in Cambodia and California Uber Alles are such great tracks
"Energisyys" on aivan sallittava termi kuvaamaan musiikkia silloin, kun muitakin avuja on havaittavissa. OK, Biafran ääni on jollain tasolla "acquired taste", johon ei koskaan täysin totu, mutta biisimateriaali on huomiota herättävän vahvaa - enkä tarkoita pelkästään kunnianhimoisempia (?) popkappaleita, vaan myös punkvetoja kuten Forward to Death, jotka koukuttavat samalla, minimalistisella tavalla kuin hyvä rock'n'roll on aina tehnyt. Joten kyllä, annan häpeilemättä energian viedä itseni mukanaan. Voisiko se olla viemättä?
Honestly?
Such a rush. Some good good punk sound.
очень приятное введение в панк, так сказать
essential hardcore punk that's as silly as possible. Took a while to grow on me but probably one of my favorite punk records nowadays.
That's punk for you. Nothing else but pure rebelliousness. 4.5/5
I love a lot of the songs on this album. Jello can be an acquired taste and I get why so many people can't stand him. TBH, I liked a lot of the mix that spotify played after this album more than this but it's still a fun one. Glad it's on this list. Definitely happy to get this after that Robbie Williams bullshit.
Before today, the only exposure to Dead Kennedys I had was hearing Police Truck on Tony Hawk Pro Skater, and Holiday in Cambodia on Guitar Hero 3. For the purposes of this review, I enjoyed the album so much that I listened to the extended edition of it. Dead Kennedys have a really unique sound, mixing surfer rock with hardcore punk, and lacing in their political views (which are sadly still relevant today). Jello Biafra's vocal delivery sounds like the B-52's. Their version of Viva Las Vegas may be better than Elvis'! All of the members of the band are super talented! These guys pushed their message unapologetically, and largely without representation. I Kill Children, and Funland at the Beach both have roots in Alice Cooper style shock rock, really taking the listener by surprise when they start into them. Overall, a phenomenal punk record. The fact that this is a debut album is insane! I thoroughly enjoyed this deeper dive into their back catalog. I will definately listen again! Favourite songs: Police Truck, Too Drunk to Fuck, In-Sight, When Ya Get Drafted, Holiday in Cambodia, California Uber Alles, Chemical Warfare, Let's Lynch the Landlord, Forward to Death, Kill the Poor Least favourite songs: The Prey, Drug Me, Ill in the Head 4/5
It's just really high quality American Punk as the scales began to tip towards that musical direction. Jello's voice matched up with the high speed and intensity of the music makes it a very immersive album, ready to thrash about whenever needed.
not morally straight and differently abled version of system of a down. holiday in cambodia
It's a little crazy but mostly good.
Somewhere between a 3 and a 4.
So fun, so riled up, and deserves a place on this list and any other considering punk rock music. Fave tracks: Kill the Poor, Drug Me, Chemical Warfare, I Kill Children, Holiday in Cambodia
This is how I like my punk music - fast, loud, politically charged and irreverent as fuck. Fav Tracks: Kill The Poor, Chemical Warfare, Holiday In Cambodia
This was a great punk album. It’s crazy that there were times I thought I was listening to an early System of a Down. Had to influence them. 4 TBz 1. When Ya Get Drafted 2. Drug Me 3. Kill the Poor 4. Let’s Lynch the Landlord
3.5/5 punk
Ik vind het leuk. Moeilijk voor te stellen ook dat dit uit 1980 komt, het is echt een punkerige versie van System of a Down, dus ik zou het sowieso halverwege jaren 90 schatten. Het is ook maar goed dat het maar 35 minuten is, en zelfs dat is al iets te lang met allemaal chaosnummers van 2 minuten. Maar al met al wel erg leuk.
Loud
It's Dead Kennedys. That being said, this isn't my favorite album by them. I like later ones more. 4/5
Probably my favorite punk album of all time. Still sounds out of this world 40+ years on, everything about it works; Jello’s snotty performance, the strong musicianship, biting lyrics and memorable melodies. I’m glad we finally got to it. A-
Not a punk fan but this album surprised me. Was tapping along the entire time and had fun with it!
Decent punk
IDK why I like this honestly, but I do. It's so fast and in your face and there's not a very strong sense of rhythm. Yet, I can't stop listening. The songs are so short, they kinda blend together and I'll check to see if i'm still on the same song and i've listened to like 3 different songs and didn't even realize it.
D. H. Peligro was a gift to the world.
Great album, nice hooks, strong melodies with sparse and consistent instrumentation. Crazy to hear in retrospect the influence they had on SOAD's vocalist, Serj Tankian, not to even mention all the punk bands that came after them
Enjoyed
Shouty short bursts of perfect punkiness. What's not to like?
Solid lump of punk.
Shouty, shouty, a tour de force of punk rock!
Hated the start and loved the rest. The lyrics and instrumentation are really good I just am not a fan of the vocal delivery. If I could I would give it a 3.5.
Acerbic, caustic, other time fantastic. Jello's warbling but assertive voice sets nicely with the fuzzy diy musicianship. The lyrics are funny, provocative and excellent for precocious teenagers looking for a sharp edge to their politics. When I was 14 I bought this album for a girl I fancied who I believe still has it. Kill the Poor and Holiday in Cambodia are highlights. The album does sometimes disintegrate into sparse noise but that's sort of the point. Five star band but maybe a four star album.
I steeled myself to get ready to listen to this one, but was somewhat surprised how much I appreciated it today. I'd known some of the songs from mixtapes in the 80s. I mostly thought of the Dead Kennedys as just being shocking for the sake of being shocking, which, I must say, was a valid thing in the late teens. I didn't think it would translate well to my older self, however. It's still shocking, and Jello Biafra's voice is still creepily distorted. However, some things that I noticed this time: The music is good. I've heard some hardcore punk in this project, and I'd take this rock 'n' roll over many other works. The satire is darkly humorous, viciously biting, and much more clever than I'd remembered. I'd never be very comfortable calling myself a Dead Kennedy's fan, but in the realm of hardcore punk, they're up there.
Well, that wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. Not ever really embracing punk music. Surprised at how much I liked what I was hearing...at least for about 15 minutes...after that, it all started to get tiring and I found myself kind of blocking it out and it was difficult to keep my focus on the music. Still I think it was a pretty good punk album.
A very fine punk rock record. Fast tempos and clever lyrics that are both funny and horrifying.
I wasn’t sure how this would go down. These guys know their way around the instruments which raises it to the top of the punk music I’m familiar with. The lyrics are pretty darn clever too. A surprisingly enjoyable listen!
Much better than I was expecting. Not just stupid fast hardcore, but intelligent, punk rock that had substance and musically more diverse than your average punk band. Don't really want to say I thoroughly enjoyed, but I was intrigued and wanted to hear more. This is an important band and for some would be essential, at the very least they were influential and original.
Color me surprised, this was excellent. Not my normal flavor, but good stuff is good stuff, and this was it. I get why this was influential and glad I listened. Proof that punk had something to say.
4.0
When I first looked at this album and the Dead Kennedys (I'd not heard of them before), I wasn't feeling too positive about my enjoyment of the album. HOWEVER, I really enjoyed it! I love the witty hilarious observations about some of the shittier parts of society and the political messages. I think it's great that they were prosecuted for obscenity and seen as dangerous, what could be more hardcore?! Take the track Let's Lynch the Landlord, who couldn't relate and enjoy that other than actual landlords and their offspring?? I love that you can hear the lyrics clearly on a lot of the tracks and there is less of the noise I find stressful with a lot of punk music. It also reminds me of a friend from my open mic night who can whip up a similar hilarious song minutes after one of us shares a funny remark in the Whatsapp group. On first glance, the album looks quite long but every track is punchy and short. There are a few tracks in between which are more fillery to me and have more of that kind of noise I find so stressful so it's not perfect but I am so pleasantly surprised and excited to enjoy a hardcore punk album that I will rate this quite highly.
One time listening…
Fucking great, the best of American punk by far. Crazy I got to live in CA more than 30 years later, and Jerry Brown was still governor! Luckily the suede/denim secret police had been abolished by that period
I always enjoy Punk Rock but had not heard much of the Dead Kennedys. Really enjoyed the album but I listened to the Expanded Edition which gets abit long with 20 songs. Highlights: Kill the Poor Holiday in Cambodia Let's Lynch The Landlord
I actually didn't like this as much as I thought I would..... But was still good. Holiday in Cambodia, kill the poor and chemical warfare were the best tracks
not bad at all
As a huge punk fan, I dig this
Love the energy