Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables

I couldn’t stop kicking flipping when I listened to this

Not bad

It’s shocking how prescient Fresh Fruit got Rotting Vegetables still is today. Everything is there, anti-war, anti-fascism, wealth inequality, housing etc. Topically very important, musically good enough. 7.1/10

Dad- 3 Mom- 5 Mike- NA Lori- 5.5 Michael- 8 Miles- NA Cole- NA Avg- 5.38

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.

Finally some bona fide punk rock. Listening here in June 2025, tracks like Kill the Poor and Let’s Lynch the Landlord resonate more than I’d like as we are still dealing with unprecedented wealth inequality, state-sponsored genocide, and literal secret police by the name of ICE in the US. I’m thankful for bands like RATM and these guys using music as a vehicle for this message. And I gotta say outside of the political statements, this album absolutely whips and Biafra’s sarcastic and over the top performance is perfect. (also Jello Biafra is an incredible stage name) ((also also this cover art goes HARD))

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?

14 songs in 33 minutes... Punk at it's best

Crucial in my radicalization in my youth. Angry enough to kick ass. Satirical enough to still be fun.

powerful and consistent narrative, good vocal, but the instrumentals are repetitive and lacking much depth

The band that influenced System of a Down

A fun and noisy album, but listened to this on a day that was not what i was looking for. Not my style, but I enjoyed the craziness behind it!

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.

Not my thing overall, but I always liked them for being out front with their sound and high energy. It’s not repulsive, just not something that I’m gonna go to on my own.

Nydeleg!

America needs more Dead Kennedys. Take that however you will.

Just wasn’t my style, but I can see why it was an important album

Personal favorite from my youth. Sadly, it is still relevant tonally if not always topically.

My reyt run endeth here. First the positives: I quite like the name of the album and the dreadful noise only lasts a relatively short time. The negatives: The aforementioned dreadful noise.

Very cool. Favourite song Drug Me. Did not listen to whole album

Not for me

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

Good short, shouty punk rock.

Punkrock band, with some okay songs, but then also noise such as Drug Me. The overall vibe is really busy, not what I listen music for. I had to turn off chemical warfare, as it got too alternative.

4/5

Wow, this album is great. A few classics on here that will likely still be in rotation 100 years from now. I first became familiar with DK about 30 years ago when some friends were listening to the DK tribute album “Virus 100”. Overall that compilation has its peaks and valleys, but there are a few inventive and great covers on it.

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.

When ya get drafted made me think of system of a down. Fun, good energy, maybe a little underproduced but that's on par for punk of the era. 3*

Why? Just, why?

I like california uder alles

I left my veggies out in the rain

It’s a Lot

These songs are ON POINT. This band has something to say and that is awesome. The music itself was really not for me. I had a hard time with the rating as it was a 5 for lyrics but a 1 for sound. Rating: 3

Another essential hardcore album

Those vocals were meant to be a joke, right? If not I feel sorry for the lead singer for thinking it sounded good. Other than that it was mediocre I guess. 2 stars

lame

Pre-listening thoughts: oh brother more punk... our amazing streak is over... Post/during listening thoughts: yikes! Wow this was not very good. I try to reserve my ones for things I had to skip through because they were genuinely unlistenable/gave me a headache and this cut it pretty close but I'm feeling kind so it will be a low 2. 3/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: Let's Lynch the Landlord Least fav tracks: Chemical Warfare but also most of this tbh. That was just a standout bad one

Decent listen.

Enjoyed it!

I hate Jello Biafra's voice and musically this strikes me as basically just angry noise. "California Über Alles" is pretty good as long as you don't listen to the lyrics too closely, which are dumb just like the rest of the lyrics to these songs. It seems like punk can either be completely nihilistic/hedonistic, or advocate for cliched "fuck the system" politics. While I think "fuck the system, burn it to the ground!" is fine if you’re a 16 year old white suburbanite, what about a mother of two kids with disabilities who relies on “the system” for support to feed her kids? “Well that’s just a band aid and we need to tear it all down so people like that will revolt and make real change!” Well how many people have to die for that revolt to happen? Are you volunteering to be one of them or is it just the poor and the old and the disabled? And are you going to rebuild a new system that continues to do the limited amount of good that our current system does? And is this hypothetical new system not going to be just as bad as every other system people have had in place since we invented agriculture? This time is going to be different? Punk rockers are like the angry dude pretending to want to fight the big guy who pissed them off at the bar while their friends are holding them back. They can only spout off at the mouth because they are safe in the knowledge that they can't actually do anything so they won't have to suffer any consequences. If you gave a random assortment of punk rockers the ability to make actual change they would wilt just as fast as the fake tough guy telling someone "you're lucky these guys are holding me back!" would if his friends let him go. I agree the system sucks in a lot of ways. But I don’t want to tear down the system. I want to keep the beneficial parts of our current system and work to make gradual change that builds a fairer and more just society. But that message doesn’t really help you sell records to angry teenage boys.

A classic that I am happy to revisit. Great singing, great lyrics and great energy. 4.25/5

Oh my god, what a classic. Haven't put this one on for a while, but after the snoozers I've been getting, this feels like a double poke from a cattle prod. Starts off strong and just doesn't let go. Jello is in full form, the lyrics are all good but if you zone out and zone back in, well, guess what, that line's gonna have something for you. Jello's voice is, uh, probably an acquired taste, especially after some of the really talented singers I've been ambivalent towards in past reviews, but can you imagine this shit if he sounded like someone else? Bah. It's so much more tuneful and sonically varied than similar hardcore from that era, and consequently so much more fun and smart and dark and joyful and sarcastic and earnest in its intention. Man, it's got everything, even some variety in hardcore! And it doesn't overstay its welcome! Easy 5.

awesome, loveDK

I was in a bad mood.

You went to school for a year or two. If you never heard Punk, this is probably what you think it sounds like. Congratulations you’re right. Not the best, not the first, but pretty great and influential.

Amazing. Raw, direct, very garage sound.

Top 3 punk albums for me. Absolute classic.

The cover of the album is from riots that resulted from a 7 YEAR!!! prison sentence given to the guy that assassinated Harvey Milk and the then Mayor of SF. His defense was he was depressed and was eating too much junk food. I think the stupidity of that is important context for this album. This guy sings like an idiot because the world is a dumb place. Maybe? I like the tone but not sure I'll come back to this. Happy to have heard it and finally have some idea of what the Dead Kennedys were about.

Kinda grew on me over the course of the album, but the shitty audio quality is hard to overcome, esp on the vocals. More intelligent and creative than most punk, political without feeling preachy. This is really a 2.5 but bumping to 3 because I do think the Dead Kennedys is one of the best band names I’ve ever heard. Chemical war and holiday in Cambodia are solid.

Im finding myself to be a fan of older punk rock. Maybe its also the bay area bias coming out. Biafra's voice is... crass, but punk exists in this weird place where it doesn't really matter. Heck, sometimes its even annoying. Overall, somewhere in that way overdone 3 star rating. Ideally a 3.5 Best songs: Lets Lynch The Landlord California Uber Alles Holiday in Cambodia Viva Las Vegas Fuck Dan White!

This one's a lot of fun. I listened to it twice!

just awful

Short, punchy, diverse, this was always going to be a 5 star score. It almost feels like a greatest hits album rather than a debut, but then many of the songs had already been released as singles, and the album versions are almost identical.

Love the angst, don’t love the music unfortunately.

3.5

This was a banger, love the energy, the variety, and the great insight into how landlords should be treated.

Falling on the border of like & ok. Not crazy about the vocals, but I loved the energy from rhythm & drums. Mostly it made me want to listen to suspect device.

Interesting.

Not a big fan, some songs that were decent

I could see this album making a lot of kids in the 80s hate the world.

SOAD-like, maybe worth a relisten

No time to get bored here! Classics like California Uber Alles and Holiday in Cambodia are standouts, but if these are 10s, everything else is at least a seven. Why don't I listen to this more often??? Still uncomfortably relevant in 2025. Five stars.

Forget the Sex Pistols. For me, THIS is the golden standard as far as Punk is concerned. Terrific music and fiercely biting, intelligent, political lyrics. Best thing they’ve done.

I would have loved this when I was 15. Still pretty good now tbh

Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables is a furious, politically charged punk record, but it does not bring anything genuinely new to the genre’s established formula. The riffs, tempos, and song structures feel so rigidly tied to classic punk conventions that the album rarely steps outside familiar territory or offers a fresh perspective in terms of sound. As the record goes on, the relentless similarity between the tracks creates the impression of hearing a single, extended song rather than a varied collection. The energy is undeniable, but the lack of musical variation and innovation makes the listen increasingly monotonous, as if one long, noisy blast had simply been stretched across the entire album.

This was a nice change of pace. Holiday in Cambodia is a THPS trip down memory lane that I'm always happy to take. Short enough and meaningful enough content to be a valid piece of content on this list.

Gotta love the Kennedys. All killer no filler.

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.

Not an album I’d put on for everyday easy listening, but it’s exceptional without a doubt.

Aluks mietin että miten jaksaa kuunnella. Vaikka aika tasapaksua kamaa, aloin lämmetä puolivälissä. Irtonainen meininki. En tiedä tuleeko palattua kyseiseen levyyn, mutta ei vituttanutkaan. Alkuaikojen punkin kuuntelu jäänyt vähiin. Yleisenä hankaluutena arvosteluissa itselleni on: koittaako asettua julkaisuvuoden kuuntelijan asemaan tai miettiä, minkälainen vaikutus ollut tulevaan musaan vai arvioiko puhtaasti sen mukaan, miltä itsestä tuntuu/kuulostaa tässä hetkessä?

Sounds like punk music shrug

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

À bit too punk for me !

Dark and funny, acerbic political juggernaut moving at breakneck speed. It's a playoff between East Bay Ray's spidery, surf-influenced riffing and Jello Biafra's nasal California punk wit. Back of the net, Jurassic Park, etc.

3.3

Pretty good punk record

Classic early punk album

This is definitely not usually my sort of thing, but I enjoyed it more than I thought. I also put it on in work and the person with me who does like this genre thought I was cool for like 30 minutes.

I found it insufferable

If only the vocalist wasn't so extra annoying ...

It was fun, but noisy. Not my thing but I appreciate it.

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.

1/5 I don't like punk

Not my thing

Really fun to listen to some punk rock because I wouldn't usually. Fun listen on a fast run but think I'd hate it in most other contexts

Was fun to run too.

I wanted to give this a 3 really badly. I like the punk purity of it, but I just don't really enjoy the sound. It is a lot more musically engaging than something like Public Image Limited though.

At first I was excited because it sounded like the Ramones but a little more raw, but as the album went on I got over it and the edginess pretty quickly

A ferocious, aggressive and downright weird album. In fact, it's been so many years since I first heard this, that I have to remind myself that a man caterwauling over hyper-fast drum beats and surf guitar infused with hints of the Ramones and showtunes is totally fucking odd, and absolutely amazing.

A perfect punk album, I will be taking no notes. In Jello we trust.

Landmark punk rock. Still relevant to this day, unfortunately.

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

Punk

PUNX NOT DEAD

Some incredible guitar sounds/tones on here. vocals work ABSOLUTLEY perfectly with the rest of the instrumentals, which I feel like is sometimes the problem with punk stuff. Political messaging is on point, I feel like they simultaneously say exactly what they mean while also having a layer of discreteness and metephoricalness (new word). The guitar solos are INSANE as well. I feel like they also just have the song idea/theme down totally, like the acting thing on the chemical weapons song. I love the surf rock elements, which I didn't quite catch at first, but its there in the guitar riffs and basslines. Also listened to some of the extra songs on the expanded edition, as they are some of the more popular ones. Favourite songs: all except: your emotions, viva las vegas (I do get the parody on this one). Overall around 9/10 (I think the expanded edition pushes it over)

12/04/25 I've never listened to Dead Kennedys before, this was okay.

This fills me with the desire to punch my senator and toss rocks at the windows of corporations. I won’t do those things, of course, but the energy is there. Really really great punk record.

Lyrics are still very poignant by and large. Instrumentation maintains a very rapid, unceasing urgency. Especially love the drums and bass on Drug Me.

So good

It was good. But I probably won't listen to it again.

I always associate the Dead Kennedys with the alternative scene. This album confirms that. Full of energy and going wild. Best song on this album? Your emotions! Most hilarious song? Viva Las Vegas!

Mildly frantic and messy but not necessarily in a bad way. I think I quite liked it but my head is still spinning from the mayhem. Plus Guitar Hero nostalgia for Holiday in Cambodia

Having grown up on Green Day, I found I was really able to appreciate the sound of this album. Though I'd never heard of Dead Kennedys before, I could immediately recognise certain similarities and patterns from Green Day's music, which I later confirmed with a bit of googling. Who would have thought! While this album is a bit more hardcore than what I'd usually go for, I still liked the overall sound and the style of Dead Kennedys.

Really great punk album. I had never listened to it before, but after hearing it, I can immediately say that even as someone who doesn't know much about music, it was obvious to me how some of my favorite bands were inspired by the Dead Kennedys (e.g. System of a Down). Definitely a 5-star album

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.

Felt like a Holiday In Cambodia.

Dead Kennedys ... as always creative, innovative and simply very good punk

Punk band.. Music ok for punk. Fun to see them take some older songs,and put their punk rock spin on them.

Панк, видимо с политическим контекстом, и сатирой Наверное здорово, но по музыке не зашло послушала 3 песни, походе на менее мелодичный соад

Good

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?

Certainly not a chore to listen to, but I'm not a huge punk fan. I normally like to hear distinctions between instruments instead of a wall of noise and yelling. That said, Holiday in Cambodia is an excellent song. And Viva Las Vegas was an interesting choice. Not bad though

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

A lot of the songs sounded the same. It also sounded so frantic.

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.

one of the most kickass albums ever

Better than I thought it was going to be, but still not anything I’d listen to again.

It's does all the things you expect of a punk album exceptionally well - fast paced, short songs, great riffs, politically-themed vocals. For that alone it'd probably get a 5, but what makes it even better is it's variety in pace and influences from other rock subgenres

Awesome!

I've had a lot of punk in the last year or so of this journey and I've liked most of it, and that doesn't change here. I think my favorite punk song to date is here in Stealing People's Mail. The riff here is absolutely insane, manic, fast, and just heart pumping fun. There's also Guitar Hero 3 standout Holiday in Cambodia, Let's Lynch the Landlord, Chemical Warfare, damn this album rocks so hard. And for how punk it is, it stands out pretty strong against its peers for being pretty musically strong instead of the typical guitar smashing in a lot of punk. Listening to Funland at the Beach as I type this and damn it's good. Easy 5 stars.

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

Classic punk.

Ticks all the punk boxes.

This album and band are "important" but also "not super easy to hear." Everyone should spend some time understanding the messages, but wow: the delivery is hard to take. Jello Biafra's spoken word stuff is a bit easier to stomach.

Holiday in Cambodia

I bought a copy of this album back in 2008 or 2009 after seeing it in listed in the first edition of the 1001 albums book. I knew “Holiday in Cambodia” from one of the Guitar Hero games, and I thought it was an excellent song, so I thought it would be worth my time to check out Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables. I wasn’t blown away by it back then, but “Holiday in Cambodia” and “Viva Las Vegas” are songs that I’ve been quick to return to. I’ve been reading quite a bit of music non-fiction lately, and “Holiday in Cambodia” was discussed in a book about protest songs I read last year, so I’m excited to revisit this album with a little more knowledge and context under my belt. Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables is a great album, full of blistering guitars, intelligently angry lyrics, and precise rhythms that tie everything together. However, it’s a short of five stars for me, and I think that just boils down to my personal taste. Most punk albums feel really repetitive to me in terms of the overall sound, and this album was no different. I know that punk music is supposed to be raw and stripped down, but even a short album like this feels tedious after a while. Now that my complaint is out of the way, let’s get to the good stuff. The guitars on this album are fantastic. I really like the blistering speed and crunchy sound that the Dead Kennedys use on here. “Kill The Poor,” “When Ya Get Drafted,” “Let’s Lynch The Landlord,” and “Drug Me” are all fantastic, and they all have their own distinct sounds that I really enjoyed. I really loved the songwriting on this album too. Sadly, it seems like war and poverty are always affecting society, and I love how the Dead Kennedys don’t hold back in any of their criticisms. The highlight of this album though is “Holiday In Cambodia.” The guitar playing is some of the best in all of punk rock, and Jello Biafra’s vocals are perfect. The best songs on this album pulse with anger, but this song erupts with a sneering disgust that I love. The drums are absolutely perfect here too, and I love how much the high-hat is used. “Viva Las Vegas” is fantastic too, and I love the bass playing on it. It’s really fun to hear the band’s energy channeled into something light-hearted. Damn, now that I’ve come to the end of my review, I think I’ve convinced myself that this a five-star album. It’s not something I’d listen to often, but damn, it’s really well made, and for something 45 years old, it still packs a hell of a punch. Even if I had wound up only rating this album four stars, I still think it’s a must-listen for any music fan.

Short and sweet 3.5

better than expected

I used to read Sounds every week as a spotty youth and always remember an advert for Holiday in Cambodia by the Dead Kennedys, which I thought was a great name for a band and a great song title. Being a metal head at the time i never sought out neither song nor band. So here I am 45 years later finally hearing the Dead Kennedys. Did they record it at the wrong speed? The Elvis cover of Viva Las Vegas is a massive improvement on the original.

Not good. I would never listen to this again.

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

Not my taste. Fun for one song, but not a fan

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).

Yes, I appreciate this should be on the list. Do I love it? No.

One of the true great Punk Rock debut albums. The best thing DK ever did

4-

I really thought I was gonna listen to the best albums I must hear before I die, not the shitty ones...

Sjonge jonge, m'n oren gaan hiervan tuiten. Meer punkmeuk in razend tempo. Er wordt nog wel aardig gespeeld, maar de zang is echt afgrijselijk. Dan nog liever de bekende volkszanger uit Fijnaart.

"Kill kill kill kill kill the poor". Duidelijk. We krijgen punk in zijn meest kinderachtige vorm. En toch. Het is wel catchy. Toch even opletten dat ik straks aan tafel met de kids niet dit refrein zachtjes zing...

Ik luister albums altijd op een gaar setje boxjes vanaf de computer, waar ik een paar meter verderop in een groot kantoor aan het werk ben. Zelfs dan hoor ik dat dit niet de allercleanste opname is. Mijn geluid is altijd wat blikkerig en schel, maar nu is dat dus extra. Blijkbaar hoort dat bij punk, het mag vooral niet mooi zijn, maar moet extra lelijk. Gelukkig kende ik al wel Holiday in Cambodia, en zolang je maar wat herkent en weet dat het nummer dat je kent nog gaat komen, blijf je wel makkelijker luisteren. Ik vind dit ook niet echt slecht, het is verder wel vrolijk boze rockabilly, voor van die punkers die liever een vetkuif a la Elvis of John Travolta hebben dan een hanenkam en veiligheidsspelden door hun oor. Muzikaal kan het allemaal beter, maar het kan ook zeker slechter. En in een half uurtje is het weer gedaan met de pret. Dit soort muziek luister je als je jong bent en recalcitrant. Nu is het niets meer dan een soort nostalgie, toen ik nog wel eens na een concert in de Melkweg in cafe the Minds schuin tegenover krakerspand Vrankrijk een flesje Budels heb gedronken. Holiday in Cambodia onthoud ik, de rest vergeet ik weer voor een vergeetbare 3.

4.5/5. Would’ve been a perfect score if it had Nazi Punks Fuck Off.

Geggjað stöff. Hrikalegir textar. Á vel við í dag.

Mjög hressandi. Alvöru pönk með svörtum írónískum textum. Hressir, bætir, kætir.

I don't need this kind of thing in my life and the lead singer's voice is annoying.

If you want to listen to some proper punk you should listen to Houmous & Chutneys 11th studio album ‘Hey Guys! This Is Proper Punk’ 2.3

Punk. Gut gemacht, aber eben nicht mein Geschmack.

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

One of the best punk rock albums ever.

This is so rough and punk. The lyrics hit hard and the rawness really ramps up the emotion. Classic punk album from a classic punk band that has influenced so many other huge bands that have come after.

# Dead Kennedys' *Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables*: A Definitive Analysis of Punk's Political Crucible Dead Kennedys' 1980 debut *Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables* stands as a seismic event in punk history, merging blistering social critique with a surf-tinged hardcore assault that redefined the genre’s intellectual and musical boundaries. This analysis examines the album’s lyrical depth, musical innovation, production nuances, thematic coherence, and enduring influence, while evaluating its strengths and limitations through critical and historical lenses. --- ## Lyrical Ferocity and Satirical Vision At the core of *Fresh Fruit* lies Jello Biafra’s acerbic lyricism, which weaponizes dark humor and hyperbole to dissect American capitalism, authoritarianism, and cultural complacency. Tracks like “California Über Alles” imagine a dystopian governor enforcing fascist conformity—a prescient jab at political power structures that resonates in modern contexts[3][4]. Biafra’s rewrite of “I Fought the Law” reframes Dan White’s assassination of San Francisco officials as a critique of judicial leniency toward privileged criminals, directly tying the album’s themes to the White Night riots depicted on its cover[2][4]. “Holiday in Cambodia” remains the album’s magnum opus, ridiculing bourgeois hypocrisy through its depiction of a privileged college student confronting the horrors of Pol Pot’s regime. Lines like *“Well, you’ll work harder with a gun in your back / For a bowl of rice a day”* juxtapose First World complacency with global oppression, a tactic that galvanized punk’s shift toward political awareness[1][6]. Lesser-known tracks like “Drug Me” and “Kill the Poor” employ absurdist satire, using grotesque imagery to lampoon consumerism and eugenicist policies. Biafra’s delivery—alternately sneering, frantic, and theatrically unhinged—transforms each song into a polemical manifesto[4][7]. --- ## Musical Innovation: Surf, Hardcore, and Subversive Melody Musically, *Fresh Fruit* defies punk’s minimalist conventions through East Bay Ray’s “evil surf” guitar work, which injects Dick Dale-esque reverb and tremolo into the hardcore framework. Tracks like “Let’s Lynch the Landlord” juxtapose breakneck punk rhythms with twangy, melodic solos that evoke 1960s beach culture—a sonic metaphor for California’s rotting utopian ideals[1][4]. Klaus Fluoride’s basslines and Bruce Slesinger’s drumming anchor the chaos, particularly on “Chemical Warfare,” where the rhythm section’s precision enables Ray’s dissonant leads to spiral into anarchic crescendos[6][7]. The album’s structural diversity further distinguishes it from contemporaries. “Holiday in Cambodia” shifts from a sardonic waltz to a thrashing finale, while “Viva Las Vegas” reimagines Elvis Presley’s classic as a sardonic critique of American excess. This willingness to experiment with tempo and melody—while maintaining relentless energy—anticipates the genre-bending of later hardcore acts like Minutemen and Bad Brains[1][5]. --- ## Production: Raw Fidelity and Remix Controversy The original 1980 mix’s lo-fi production remains polarizing. Critics praise its gritty authenticity, which mirrors the album’s DIY ethos, but note that the murky soundstage often buries Fluoride’s bass and Slesinger’s cymbals[1][6]. Tracks like “Forward to Death” suffer from a lack of separation, rendering the instrumentation claustrophobic. However, this rawness amplifies the album’s urgency, encapsulating punk’s rejection of polished commercialism[2][6]. The 2022 Chris Lord-Alge remix attempts to modernize the sound, sharpening the guitar tones and rhythm section clarity. While some fans argue this undermines the original’s visceral impact, others welcome the added depth, particularly in revealing subtleties like the surf-rock nuances in “Landlord”[3][5]. The remix debate underscores the album’s enduring relevance, as modern producers grapple with preserving its anarchic spirit while enhancing accessibility[3]. --- ## Thematic Cohesion: Punk as Political Weapon *Fresh Fruit* channels the nihilism of late-1970s America into a coherent critique of Reagan-era neoliberalism. Themes of institutional corruption (“California Über Alles”), housing inequality (“Let’s Lynch the Landlord”), and militarism (“Chemical Warfare”) interlock to portray a society in moral freefall. Biafra’s lyrics avoid didacticism by coupling radical politics with absurdist wit, as seen in “Kill the Poor”—a faux-celebration of neutron bombs that satirizes technocratic cruelty[4][7]. The album’s closing cover of “Viva Las Vegas” epitomizes this approach, transforming a celebratory anthem into a dirge for American decadence. By juxtaposing Presley’s original with deadpan delivery and dissonant chords, the band underscores the emptiness of consumerist dreams[3][6]. --- ## Influence and Legacy: Redefining Punk’s Possibilities *Fresh Fruit* catalyzed hardcore’s evolution from a musical style to a vehicle for political mobilization. Its fusion of intellectual rigor and visceral energy inspired bands like Fugazi and Rage Against the Machine, while Biafra’s lyrical template informed the socially conscious punk of the 1990s[1][7]. The album also demonstrated punk’s capacity for musical sophistication, paving the way for art-punk acts like Sonic Youth and Mission of Burma[4][6]. Culturally, the Dead Kennedys’ independent distribution through Alternative Tentacles challenged major-label dominance, setting a precedent for DIY ethics in underground music[2][3]. However, the band’s later legal battles over “Holiday in Cambodia” royalties and obscenity charges for *Frankenchrist*’s artwork revealed the limits of punk’s autonomy in a capitalist system[3][5]. --- ## Critical Evaluation: Strengths and Limitations **Pros:** - **Lyrical Brilliance:** Biafra’s sardonic wit and thematic daring remain unmatched in punk, elevating the album beyond mere rebellion into incisive social commentary[1][4]. - **Musical Originality:** East Bay Ray’s surf-punk hybrid and the rhythm section’s precision create a dynamic soundscape that rewards repeated listens[6][7]. - **Cultural Impact:** The album’s DIY ethos and political framework reshaped punk’s identity, inspiring generations of activists and musicians[3][5]. **Cons:** - **Inconsistent Songwriting:** Tracks like “Drug Me” and “Stealing People’s Mail” lack the melodic and lyrical focus of standout cuts, leading to pacing issues[6][7]. - **Production Limitations:** While the raw mix suits the album’s aesthetic, its uneven balance occasionally obscures the musicianship[1][6]. - **Niche Appeal:** The unrelenting cynicism and abrasive vocals may alienate listeners seeking nuanced or varied emotional tones[5][7]. --- ## Conclusion: The Paradox of Punk Perfection *Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables* encapsulates punk’s transformative potential, blending scathing intellect with unbridled fury. Its flaws—uneven production, sporadic filler tracks—reflect the urgency of its creation, capturing a band and movement in explosive nascency. Four decades later, the album’s indictment of inequality, militarism, and political rot feels tragically pertinent, cementing its status as both a time capsule and a prophecy. For all its imperfections, *Fresh Fruit* remains indispensable—a testament to punk’s power to confront, provoke, and endure.

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

One of the best hardcore punk records out there with biting lyrics that feel just as relevant today as they likely did back then. Every song is amazing, but especially stuff like Kill the Poor, Let's Lynch the Landlord, California Uber Alles, and Holiday in Cambodia. East 5/5 for me.

Pretty cool

What a silly album. I recently decided that punk was not my genre of choice, but I must admit this was not that bad. Very political, naturally, but at least it managed to keep my interest up throughout the record. Maybe it's Mr. Jello Biafra's (what a stupid name) singing style that makes me feel like they don't take themselves too seriously. I like that. Also, the energy in the songs was actually captured in the recording, which is quite rare. I actually got a bit excited there, for a few minutes, to stand next to the scene and dance to their beats and throw rotten tomatoes at pictures of the president, or whatever you do at punk rock shows.

An album that succeeds in being a fun punk album! Just enough variation that stops it from getting repetitive and boring. Just a lot of attitude of the album. Besides the classics like "Holiday in Cambodia", I really enjoyed "California Uber Alles". Political and fun, an album that makes you want to drink cheap lager at a basement concert. I mean how can't you not like an album with tracks like "I Kill Children" and "When Ya Get Drafted". I even like the Elvis Cover! My only gripe is the mixing which sounds a bit flat (i know it's the style but still). Strong 3!

Lots of fantastic tracks somewhat let down by a poor recording.

punk lives. But I'm still never going to be a punk boi

слишком панк, долго я такое не выдерживаю, спасибо)

Found the 2022 Mix and was much better on the ears.

Great subject matter but not really the kind of sound I want to listen to most of the time.

That was just awful. (Tim admires their moxie.)

Rough, fast, no fucks given, pushing boundaries, lampooning Elvis - this album has all of the characteristics of a perfect punk album. I can’t exactly say it’s good, but it holds a special place for attitude and energy.

Ei yhtään omaan makuun, yksi kautta viisi.

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

Not an album I’ve listened to before knowingly and not one I would seek out as my punk loving days ended about the same time as mainstream punk did. Would have liked this back in the day but I hardly listen to any of my punk albums bought then so this would have suffered same fate. That said all the songs were entertaining but like a lot of punk stuff became a bit boring due to repetitive three chord riffs. 2/5 11/2/25

I made it through. Seemed rather monotonous and angry to me.

I like punk, and I like angry music, but it's got to have some variety and *some* level of musicality. This one had one or two tracks I thought were good, the rest was pretty meh.

Stop, he's already Kennedy

Classic! Though I do hate Jello Biafra's weirdly warbling voice and he's way too loud in the mix.

Despite knowing their name since I was a long-haired teenager, I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've actively listened to the Dead Kennedys (and was disappointed to discover that they didn't appear on the "Repo Man" soundtrack). I'm quite relieved that I didn't miss anything by this long-standing omission, and a bit surprised that the album sounds *exactly* like I thought it would. I suspect when it was released it wouldn't have sounded like a parody of what punk rock should sound like, but I fear that's what it sounds like to me. And I'm inclined to agree with the reviewer cited in the Wikipedia entry for this album, who theorized that the album's relative popularity was due solely to "Holiday in Cambodia" and its distinctive sound. The rest of the album is largely undifferentiated hardcore with largely unintelligible but clearly excoriating, incisive and sardonic lyrics. (There are a couple of tracks with some interesting parts that might have inspired that Faith no More spinoff/nightmare Mr. Bungle, though: "Chemical warfare" and "Ill in the head".) I didn't know much about Jello Biafra before getting this album, and now that I've read up on him, I'm glad I didn't know what a jerk he'd been to his bandmates and others before I listened to much of the album. What a strange (and largely distasteful but passionately antiestablishmentarian) man, and a strange artistic and political career; I can't imagine that the Dead Kennedys could really shine without him.

Nothing says Reaganomics more than the Dead Kennedys 1980 classic "Kill the Poor" with its Rocky Horror queer tones and Ramones rock rhythm... basically this album is the Ramones on crack for the win. I was 16 when this album came out and bought it immediately. No regrats, as they say, well, one in that I never saw them live.

I dont get it. its definitely not for me, and every DK fan I've met is kinda an abrasive dick, although truthfully there arent many I've met. It sounds okay musically, but lyrically and vocally its pretty bad, I'm sure the messages are there but I'm not going to go any further than a single listen.

Whether you like this album/band or not it’s impossible to talk about it without sounding like a self important twat. So let’s just say… 3 stars. Good enough. Viva Las Vegas is a hoot. On to the next one

I appreciate their influence they made with their punk/hardcore punk music - their playing is tight and very precise. The songs on this album are short and well made. But I don't like the singing and this kind of hardcore music is not my cup of tea at all, so I rate this album based on this.

90s mixtape heaven.

When you’re young and *very* into hardcore punk, you spout a lot of ✨hot takes✨ that ignore history and good sense, especially about the classic tomes of the punk canon. For a really long time, I was against Dead Kennedys. I think it was a combination of the band’s stylistic mishmash, Jello Biafra’s general energy (and, you know, use of a hard-r and shit as a “statement”), and the lyrical topics, which I used to claim were long out-dated. I mean, who the fuck cares about shitty Reagan-era political policies, your problems with mass media culture, and niche complaints about California and punk culture? Today, I can say my first point was born out of immaturity and an underexposed ear, my second point is valid but I was too young to know that that also comes with the territory for punk singers, and, well, I was dead wrong about my last point. It’s fascinating how relevant I find this record to be in 2025. Like, sure, I’m obviously not saying we still need to be mad about Cambodia or Jerry Brown (although we could have until 2019, somehow, but I’m an East Coast bitch so I wouldn’t’ve known that unless I clicked the wikipedia link), but there’s some blatantly obvious international and domestic parallels here. I think Biafra’s general disdain for America’s political system is also something I– the east coast transgender woman who works at a nonprofit that MAGA apparently needs to eliminate from every asset of public life– have been thinking a lot about lately, even when I’m trying to actively not think about it. Like, fuck everyone. Fuck this country, fuck this system, and fuck you for telling me to just lay down and take it. The government won’t help me even when I go through the so-called proper channels, they just want to put us into stupid international wars and numb our brains by giving us back TikTok after threatening to take it away in the first place and make themselves richer while we suffer and can’t afford to live, but now I’m the mentally ill one and I’m the one who feels too much and I need to pay more in rent? Mind you, I think Biafra could work on some of his delivery. Again, the hard-r in “Holiday in Cambodia” is so unnecessary, plus his politics are, well, critiquable. But lyrically, this hit me like a brick in the middle of a riot. And then there’s the music! Truly, I was way too young to get why Dead Kennedys were so important to punk’s sonic maturity. One, they can play that short, fast, and loud shit with their eyes closed, and they play it so cleanly! But what makes Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables such a good record is how they change it up. The tempo changes, the theatrical or vaudevillian breakdowns, the groove on every song, it all just works so beautifully, and puts Dead Kennedys leagues above their peers. This really shines through on the longer cuts, particularly “Kill the Poor,” which feels so well fleshed-out without ever losing that punk momentum, and the all-timer, “Holiday in Cambodia,” which has such a weird structure but still comes together perfectly. And these aren’t even the stand-outs for me! I’d take “Let’s Lynch the Landlord,” Your Emotions,” and “Funland at the Beach” any day. Hell, even the cover of “Viva Las Vegas” is fun and tight as fuck! I think there’s a couple missteps, particularly “Stealing People’s Mail,” but it’s not because the music ever falters, that’s for damn sure. The only thing missing from Fresh Fruit is “Nazi Punks Fuck Off,” which is frequently lumped in nowadays with Plastic Surgery Disasters, an album I’m now obligated to revisit. Sincerely, time has been so kind to this record. Not only is it still eerily relevant to this day, but the music itself sets it apart from other hardcore classics, and that distinction has only grown with time. Sure, I’m still probably going to grab Milo Goes to College over this for a casual listen, but it’s hard to deny that this is canonical, and a general must listen. So glad this has finally clicked with me.

Niet mijn smaak wel goeie gitaar 2.4

Whoever made this list must have had a hard-on for punk. The only redeeming factor of this shit music is how short the songs are. I hate it. Please no more punk. PS. The cover of "Viva Las Vegas" was almost OK.

more generic rock

My first time listening to the Dead Kennedys (and a first dive into hardcore punk in general) and, even if not all the songs clicked with me, there's a couple of all-time bangers on it!

Pure enjoyment. As far as punk goes, this is some of the best. Favorites: Drug Me, Chemical Warfare, Stealing Peoples Mail 4.5 rounded up

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

🎧Decent punk album

One of the best to do it

Ok punk album

So this was one of the 8 bands that shaped punk rock? Ok great, not for me though.

One of my favorite punk albums. Political, existential, angsty. Seems especially apt these days - the satire of "Kill the Poor" and "I Kill Children," alongside the explicitly anti-capitalist "Let's Lynch the Landlord" and anti-war "When Ye Get Drafted" and "Holiday in Cambodia" seem to maintain their relevance over 40 years after the album was released. This album serves as a reminder; in a time when it feels natural to lose hope, don't just get depressed, get mad. Allow injustice to inspire and energize you to action.

2.5

Slightly underwhelmed by this well-regarded American punk. Couple high points, especially Kill The Poor and of course California Uber Alles, but maybe their later stuff is better?

This was fine, but punk really isn't my forte. I typically tire of the genre after about 3 songs.

Punk has never been my thing. This album is OK. I enjoyed a few songs more than I expected to.

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 didn't like the vocals, really. It just didn't sound as forceful as I was expecting. I guess from hearing covers of "Let's Lynch The Landlord," I was expeceting a deeper voice. But besides that, the punk feel of the album was good: hit you with a 2 minute song, and then you're out. Top tracks: "Let's Lynch The Landlord," "Stealing People's Mail," "California Uber Alles," "Viva Las Vegas"

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).

Pretty good. Dated for what it is but not bad 3/5

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.

I can’t do this punk shit I’m really genuinely sorry

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.

honestly this album started off pretty good and got better the more i listened to it. it's basically a greatest hits collection for DK anyway, with most of their biggest hits present. unfortunately, this album still rings true to present-day america 45 years later, so play it loud and play it proud! jello biafra seems to be a somewhat controversial figure now, at least in the sense that either he or the rest of the band has totally lost it or totally sold out, depending on whose side of the drama you believe. but for 1980, this is an incredible punk debut that would still turn heads if released today. some incredible tracks beyond the big singles that deserve more attention: stealing people's mail, let's lynch the landlord, chemical warfare (has any other band written a song about stealing mustard gas and releasing it on unsuspecting golfers at a country club?), and the inspired cover of elvis presley's viva las vegas. and 15 songs in around a half hour, many with a cool surfer-punk or horror-punk style to them? hell yeah, sign me up. favorites: kill the poor, let's lynch the landlord, chemical warfare, california uber alles, stealing people's mail, holiday in cambodia, viva las vegas, kill the poor (single version)

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!

This was painful to listen to. Couldn’t make it through more than a few minutes of a few songs. But I can see how this was way ahead of it’s time in 1980.

I really wanted to like this album but I hate Jello Biafra's voice. I love a little satire and shock value but the lyrics were just barf. For being a big punk album it was a real let down for me.

I've heard better sounding noises coming from my bathroom

I enjoyed some of this but I also found some of it a bit grating. What I found most interesting is how I felt like I knew this a bit already because I've heard things that clearly must be inspired quite a bit by Dead Kennedys. 'California Über Alles' sounded a lot like a System Of A Down song, so they were probably inspired from here. Standouts Kill The Poor Let's Lynch The Landlord California Über Alles Holliday In Cambodia 3/5

2.5 not what i like the most

punk a wonk

Ok

Good music. Not a fan of the lyrics

This is SO GOOD!!!! More Tony Hawk-core.... such iconic punk but also just so struck by the instrumentals, the playfulness and jangliness and TEXT! CHURE! Wacky vocals, musical shifts, so much fun and passion and fury! Also gotta shout out the unbelievable use of California Uber Alles in The Social Network.... yup

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!

Dead Kennedys are cool. Early punk rock. Full of angst and they probably hate their parents and eat the rich.

I liked a lot of this and want to check out more from them. 4/5

classic and absolutely still relevant, loved it in my teens and still listen to this regularly in my 40's

Not good. Sounds like REM trying to do trash metal. I prefer thrash metal a lot more than this crap....and I am not a huge fan of it,

A band I had barely listened to before, and now I'm not sure why. This album was great. I had only heard Holiday in Cambodia before this listen, but all the other tracks on the album are just a good to me. A perfect punk album.

Interesting. I have never heard anything like this before. 4/5

Kozak. dojebana fajna przyjemna

8/10. No jojo referance. Sad

Tenkte i utgangspunktet at dette var et random Dead Kennedys-album, men innså at så og si alle de beste sangene deres er her og kjente igjen nesten hver eneste låt. Nydelig album!! Pur rå energi med kjapt leverte quips og stikk mot alltid mulig. Koste meg hele veien! Beste sanger: Kill the Poor, Chemical Warfare og Let's Lynch the Landlord

Hard Times hadde et artig "leserbrev" fra en som hadde blitt radikalisert av å høre på Dead Kennedys, men de politiske meningene hans handlet bare om ting som skjedde på 70- og 80-tallet. Kan relatere litt, sangene her er fortsatt spisse og morsomme mange tiår senere. Skulle nesten ønske noen kunne lage like treffende politisk punk om vår tid, men er vel lenge siden punk var sjangeren for det... Med den stemmen Jello Biafra har kunne han nesten ikke gjort annet enn å være punk-vokalist, men det er han til gjengjeld helt perfekt til. Det er en helt nydelig samling snertne låter her, med litt skranglete hjemmesnekra sound. Shoutout til bassisten. Favorittlåt: Holiday in Cambodia

Holiday in Cambodia and the Elvis cover are great. The rest is a little too DIY for my taste.

it was fun, but not really my jam

I’m a big punk fan but DK has always been a little bit cringy to me.

7/10… punk

🙄🙄🙄 Just awful. I can’t understand how a person could listen to this and think “now THIS is talent!!!” Stupid lyrics, awful singing. Is there a worse combination for music out there?? It was so unpleasant. I must have a totally different idea of what the point of listeninfg to music is. Some people must listen to feel like garbage. To each his own 🤷‍♀️

I liked this more than I thought I would but it's still a bit too rowdy for me.

Early punk, more tongue-in-cheek than angry. Lives on the lighter, more fun side of the punk street.

Wasnt that good tbh. quite boring

Didn't stand out from the usual grunge I listen to.

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.

The cover artwork for Dead Kennedys' "Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables" features burning police cars, symbolizing the outrage following the White Night Riots. While the concept is powerful and aligns with the band's anti-establishment ethos, the execution falls short. The grainy black-and-white photograph lacks clarity, making it difficult to appreciate the details of the scene. This lo-fi aesthetic might resonate with punk's rawness, but it detracts from the impact of such a significant moment in history. Overall, while the artwork attempts to convey a strong message, its visual quality undermines its effectiveness, earning it a mere two stars. Album artworks rated: 14/1001 Music's great tho.

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

Great hardcore punk album.

A true classic of west coast punk.

Punk Pur, zum Teil anstrengend zu hören und mit provokanten zeitkritischen Texten. Aber muss Punk nicht so sein? Es sind 45 geballte Power die den Stil solide spiegelt.

A true classic of 80s punk. The sardonic, sarcastic high energy punk of the DKs pretty much set the stage for SoCal punk and what we think of as punk today. This album shows the DKs in all their glory - from the Swiftien Kill the Poor and Holiday and Cambodia, to the straighahead social commentary of California Uber Alles, and the "life is too horrible to believe" of Funland at the Beach. An album for the modern era as much as it was for the 80s.

Meh

Better musicians than I was expecting. Has lost its shock.

Legendary Punk!

klassiker. Helt spastik, galen och fantastik.

Reasonable in parts, but overall the album style and content isn't for me.

This album touched me in a way I haven't been touched since uncle got ran out of town. This record slaps, kicks, bites and shits on the floor. I'm in love.

Frenetic fun. I don't think I could listen to this on repeat

Lively, quirky sound. Welcome to pop up in my play list now and again.

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

One of my absolute, all-time favorite punk albums, full stop. Honestly, it's probably the punkest punk album I love. 'Coz, like, I think about all of the other punk bands who have an album I love — Green Day, the Ramones, The Clash, Bad Religion — and they have a pop sheen to them, to one extent or another. Which, pop isn't a bad word to me, but you compare any of those band's albums to this and it's a massive gulf. With its massive surf rock influence and the elements of horror and humour throughout, and with how damn fast they play some of those songs, there's really not a single punk album I've heard that goes harder. Maybe a Snot album, but I haven't heard one of those in full. And it just does not let up. It's 30 minutes, front-to-back, of all-cylinders-firing killer and not a second of filler. From the big notable songs like "California Über Alles" and "Holiday In Cambodia", down to stuff like "Stealing People's Mail", "I Kill Children", "Drug Me" and "Chemical Warfare", it's all amazing. I don't even need to give any deep, faux-essay reasons why — which I easily could, given how I consider Dead Kennedys near Rage Against The Machine and Chumbawamba in how left they are. You just need to listen to them play — incredible, right? (Many shout outs to the "Viva Las Vegas" cover they end the album with, too, by the way. Even besides my being an Elvis fan, I just love how wild it is. Goodness.) In case you couldn't tell: instant 5 from me. It's one of those albums I honestly could have written a review of months before my group got it 'coz I love it just that much. So, yeah, I'unno what else to say. Go dig this album if you somehow found this review without having done so already. POL POT

A quintessential release of punk that still stands the tests of time in the current political climate. Solid 5 Stars.

It’s an electric 4.5, and I'm gonna bump it up to a 5, though not without a few "flaws". I’ve heard of Dead Kennedys, but I’ve never actually HEARD Dead Kennedys – I vaguely knew about their status in punk rock before listening, but it really only hit me right before listening about just insanely bold it is to make that the name of your band in the late 70s / early 80s. It set a tone that immediately got matched by the first track, and never really looked back. I can compare this pretty handily to The Clash’s debut album in terms of pacing and instrumental energy – both of them jump right out of the gate, and have pretty long stretches of just breakneck speed, covering a variety of topics. This album goes even fucking faster though, and that energy is hard to put into words. However, I think this album does suffer from chasing that energetic high a little too much – it’s not that it can’t maintain it, because it definitely does, and to a more consistent and arguably more satisfying degree than The Clash’s album (still not over “Police & Thieves” railroading the pace of that album). It maintains it, but at the sacrifice of the lyrical quality. This is an album full of biting political satire, most of which is certainly based in real anger, and a general desire to actually do something about it instead of sitting around on one’s ass. However, at varying points in the album, I think that satire loses some of that fire & that bite, and turns into more of a gripe-filled chomp, or something so over the top that it just feels cheesy to the point where the song loses its focus (most disappointingly done by “I Kill Children” – not a bad track, though!). There’s other moments throughout the album that add up to ALMOST knock this down to a 4 for me – a few tracks honestly go TOO fast vocally for my tastes, some of them don’t feel as cohesive instrumentally (but it’s never on the guitar, though), and that hard-R N-word on “Holiday in Cambodia”, for as much as I understand the intent and impact of its usage in the song (and that censoring it in any way would be a disgrace to the idea of “punk” in the late 70s/early 80s), simply cannot be overlooked or excused. That track still slaps though, sue me. As a whole, this is an electric 33 minutes – there’s a few too many things that add up for me to give this a pure, flat 5, but make no mistake; I highly recommend this. Its lyricism, for the most part, still rings pretty true in 2024 (Let’s Lynch the Landlord is ESPECIALLY timely with the CEO thing, but “fascist California” never really came to pass like that), the instrumentals are insanely energetic, and it’s just a rollercoaster of an album. No problems with bumping it up to a 5.

Not for me

I was looking forward to this but was surprised that I found it quite dull. California Uber alles is a certified banger though.

🤘

Wow, I didn’t expect to see this on the list! It’s not my favourite but undeniably a classic of the genre. It’s funny to hear it again after so long as I’d forgotten that it’s way more Lo-fi and melodic than I remembered. Hardcore punk from this era is usually a lot more abrasive but the vocal melodies really carry this record. Holiday in Cambodia and California Uber Alles still sound great but overall the album drags a bit. It’s kinda crazy and depressing how some of these themes persist to this day.

Punk landmark. Still hitting hard today. I really like how it feels like they are on the verge of a nervous breakdown at all times. This is what punk should be.

Remember downloading this form Limewire and listening to it so much at uni. Still love it. Melodies and messages and a sense of humour.

Efficiency and progress

You can hear a few bands I like in this album. Drug me - system of a down anyone?

As much as I love the band Rage Against the Machine and the fact that the Dead Kennedy's hugely inspired them, I've never been a fan of the band particularly . I find the punk they played (despite pathing the way for many) a little too raw and primitive, Early Punk came around at a pre-teen time for me so I never really identified with it. But I can understand this identity that some would connect to, and help them rebel against society, the system, parents or the general grown up world! It's just not something I can relate to, and look back at with any warm nostalgia, it was just a noise.

Anger and rage music from a different age still relevant still servant Very powerful Punk's NOT DEAD

loud, fast, angry and a tonne of fun

I did not like this album.

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

Ægte punkrock, masser af tempo og rå vokal

хз.. ну я не очень люблю вот чисто панк, понятно политика, окей, это высказывание, но эмоционально мне он не зашел Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables — дебютный студийный альбом американской панк-рок-группы Dead Kennedys. Первоначально лонгплей был выпущен в Соединённом Королевстве (2 сентября 1980 года на лейбле Cherry Red Records), после чего последовал релиз в США занял 40-е место в списке «40 величайших панк-альбомов всех времён по версии журнала Rolling Stone» в нем 15 треков но он длится 35 минут. как…?

Amazing punk album

All sounded the same and it wasn’t good

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.

Loud and fast, if you like that sort of thing.

nice punk album

Good ole Punk Rock, how I've missed you.

I might be biased because this is one of my all time favorite albums.

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

I used to own In God We Trust and did not listen to it much because ultimately it’s not really enjoyable in repeated doses. This album is similar and while it may be fun to hear a song every few years it’s just not something I want to immerse my self into.

I'm of the persuasion that there are no good songs under two minutes in length (with the notable exception of You Gave Your Love To Me Softly), so this was more than a little challenging for me, to say the least. On the bright side, this did resonate with me more than the other albums I've listened to on this website. I may appreciate it more on a second listen

A hardcore punk staple of the genre that ultimately feels dated to my ears.

To evoke a tired trope, the lyrics on this album are more and more relevant with each passing year. The biting political commentary made accessible with humor and catchy hooks exemplifies youth counter culture. As others have said, the surf rock influence is the big draw musically. Absolutely seminal album for so many hardcore acts. If you don't see the appeal of this music I don't know what to tell you other than I hope your stocks crash.