Reviews (page 6 of 8)
It's good, Jello Biffa vocals are fun. I do listen to them sometimes but it's not quite the kind of punk I really like.
WE NEED TO PLAY NOW AND LOUD
Goddamn did these guys just not give any care about offending anyone and everyone they could (see track “I Kill Children” as reference). The band can often sound repetitive like they’re using the same riffs in multiple tracks, and thank god Spotify has the lyrics to tell me what the hell this dude is saying, but nonetheless a pretty entertaining listen. 6/10
im not familiar with Dead Kennedys until this album. I appreciated it. good stuff
Really fun but repetitive couldnt get hooked
unusual with short songs, a lot of songs sound pretty similar, pretty good though
Viva Las Vegas Weeeeeeee! 6/10
It's a decent listen but the punk sound is almost too raw at times. If you prefer that kind of punk than I can easily understand this being a top tier album for somebody. Holiday in Cambodia brought back some good guitar hero memories for me. 6/10
Dirty, loud, terrible audio quality, PUNK. 5/10
iconic punk. 3.1.
Just had Germs, now this - I'm on a roll with the early hardcore punk life. Whilst the Germs was loud and trashy and just a bit rubbish, this is loud and thrashy with better material. Great punk guitar work. Charismatic singer. Good songs underneath.
3/5 California Uber Alles and Holiday in Cambodia are both great examples of hard-core punk. The rest of the album is not as great.
There's snippets I find interesting ... but too chaotic for me overall. More cacophony than music overall
Head thrashing
Great lyrics and messages but music and over all feel didn't hit for me for some reason. Still enjoyed the listen.
Though I’ve always respected Jello Biafra and Dead Kennedys they’re not a band I have listened to a ton. Solid punk album with their blend of cheeky satire and politically charged aggression. Standouts are Kill the Poor, Lynch the Landlord and Holiday in Cambodia. It’s good and belongs on the list I just won’t return to it often. 3.5 stars
Decent, but very confused why it’s on this list.
I remember a kid in my high school in the span of one summer moving from Rush to Dead Kennedys as his go-to band which I just could.not.compute. Actually that's still pretty odd. But being older and more open to everything let's go - I'm not sure I've actively listened to them since the 80s so... Holy hell I remember "California Über Alles" This is SO not my shit that it somehow made me listen even more. I'm filing this in a specialty column. I don't really *like* the music although a lot of it is more complex and difficult than is apparent on a casual listen <n.b: not possible> ...Jello's vocals are...something. But this is the very rare attitude album that I sort of get. Fave part: the guitar work on "Holiday in Cambodia" Outrageous, unpredictable, obviously in-your-goddamn-face lyrics/subjects - it's nothing I'm going to think about and consider for a rainy Saturday afternoon sitting in the living room. But this might be a mowing-the-lawn or walking-the-dog while pissed at the world album, and honestly we need these on occasion. 6/10 3 stars
Fine. Did not impress me overall
No està malament, però no és genial. És el típic àlbum que escoltaria un parell de cançons però no tot sencer. Lorenzo prediction: 3/5
Interesting punk album with some tricks up its sleeve. I enjoy the genre but often feel albums burn themselves out of meaningful ideas even with sub-30 minute runtimes, but this one had enough in the tank melodically (not to mention thematically) to keep things churning from front to back.
2.5
I remember hearing Holiday In Cambodia on 2JJ & on the way home from work I dropped into a record store in Liverpool & grabbed this album. Side 2 is an absolute winner, beginning with California Uber Alles (giving it to Democrat Californian Governor Jerry Brown, who had run for President in 1980; he was Linda Ronstadt’s boyfriend for a while) & ending with a great cover of Viva Las Vegas. But Holiday In Cambodia is the standout - the “Pol Pot” refrain was inspired. The album only has one gear, but it’s a good one.
Kill kill kill kill kill the poor
Ok
Eh!
Hooky, irreverent and fun. This is one's punk/hardcore faves. The political and social satire, while biting and a worth a laugh, isn't exactly piercing or multidimensional, Swiftian in design (at least on the opener) more than effect. But what they gain in humor, they lose in the playing; it's too one-note musically to rate much higher. The Elvis cover is perfectly wonderful, but indicates just how seriously this was to be taken ... or how far it could go.
S/o Guitar Hero and s/o Someone recognizing how fun it is to say Pol Pot
Incredible how much punk has fallen out of favor over the years with regard to my personal taste. (Pop)/Punk used to be my favorite genres when I was a teenager, but neither style does hardly anything for me these days
Classic hardcore punk. Some decent stuff on this album.
Importante conhecer as versões originais dos covers que gosto.
I think I needed to be in a different mindset for this, ha ha.
J'ai encore oublié ce que c'était mais je fais confiance à la commu qui mes de bonnes notes
A post punk vision in the singles so much better than the almost routine rest. Sarky, amusing but weird from the 40 years on perspective.
I have conflicting feelings about the Dead Kennedys. I am a lover of proto-punk, punk, and hardcore punk of all types, but I'm also choosy about whose act I'll buy into. I truly appreciate how so many divergent UK + US garage acts all coalesced the spirit of disenfranchised rebellious youth with music to forge the genre; giving voice to the angst and anger felt by a generation seeking an outlet that could not be denied or ignored. Very into all of that and so grateful for the doors these intrepid early innovators opened. That being said, I've only spent a cursory amount of time with the Dead Kennedys. Had a lot of friends in high school that liked them, and repped their patches on backpacks. I love the lyricism, they give you something smart and biting to consider on almost every track. But their sound isn't as appealing to me as other punk acts. I love the goofy, zany, craziness of the Ramones. I adore the sneering yet wry style of The Clash. These guys just don’t have a similar kind of draw for me. There's something readily listenable about their music that I do vibe with, hard. And while I've enjoyed listening to this album the whole way through today, I don't feel overly compelled to spend more time with these guys. I respect what they've contributed to the scene, I like their sound, but I'm not gobsmacked mad about in any way. It checks a box for me. And that's fine.
too long. rollin is a classic but most the songs just sound the same. the outro is too long too. 10 minutes of shit talk🤷♂️
Okay punk. The Dead Kennedy's bring a well thought political platform to punk rock, but I find the delivery to just be so so. 3/5.
Not something I would normally listen to, but I respect the political messages and the intense sound. A concise, consistent album.
Dude, I'm here for the sentiment, their attitude, and energy, but Jello Biafra sounds like they spliced Bryan Ferry and the dude from The B-52's' vocal chords together in a back alley operation.
I know Dead Kennedys have their following and I can see the appeal, but the vocal styles are just not my thing. ALTHOUGH live the energy might be perfect, but the recording just feels a lil more silly.
Jos levyn sisällöstä karsisi puolet pois niin olisi kovakin kokonaisuus. Ensimmäinen kuuntelukerta meni vähän ohi kun iski paniikki järjestää itsensä Tampereelta Helsinki-Vantaalle ajoissa kun junaverkko oli poikki sähkövian takia. Toinen kuuntelukerta välimeren auringossa ei kokemusta muuttanut, joten laitetaan yläkanttiin kolmosena.
Ill in the Head Good guitars and songwriting. Can't get into vox
Good playing. Singing a bit too drama.
Critical, but...
I feel like I would have appreciated this more in person.
Pretty standard punk album, decent
Fast-paced Bay Area Ramones and Sex Pistols. A few songs have the California overtones. It is a snapshot of the frantic fears of the times. Would have been higher if it wasn't a derivative.
Good old-fashioned punk, could definitely listen to it again.
I listened to this high so I might’ve enjoyed it more than if I had been sober but I still got a little tired of it by the end. I’m sure this is an important album for punk just judging from the sheer number of t shirts and pop culture references originating from this album but that doesn’t fix the mostly annoying vocals that are on par for this type of punk album. The viva Las Vegas cover was odd but I suppose it somewhat fit with the rest of the album. Overall, this sounded like the most stereotypical punk album ever but is probably what a lot of people think of when they think of punk alongside the Sex Pistols so I suppose they get a pass unlike all the other endless punk albums on this list.
Don’t like punk but it was aight
Meget sjovt, men mest af alt ret stressende!? 2.5
Catchy. Love having 'warfare warfare chemical warfare' stuck in my head.
Agressive
p454. 1980. 3.5 stars. You have to be in the right mood for this, but if you are, it's the only other punk album you need.
I tend to prefer Minor Threat, Bad Brains, and Black Flag, but one can certainly not overlook the band with the coolest name in punk. Notable songs - "Kill the Poor", "Viva Las Vegas". Bruce Slesinger's drums shine on both.
Listen to the original mix. The 2022 mix isn't great. It's the Dead Kennedys, doesn't get much more classic punk than this. These are all classic punk songs, and are all very political. They're also very straight forward, you can figure out the message of most songs here by simply reading the title. It's brash, aggressive, and breakneck, the thing we expect from punk. It's a solid album, no tracks are really weak or anything, but it's a very straight forward album and a little rough on the ears at times.
Базированный правый альбом 7/10
Grand
Liked this more than I expected 3.5/5
Pirrandi en gott. Langar bara að vera late 70s pönkari úti í horni að vera fúl út í heiminn.
I'm no Kennedy head but you have to respect a 33 minute album with 14 tracks. And I do love the fuck you spirit throughout. Stealing People's Mail is a favorite. It's not an especially pleasant listen, but like I said, deserves respect.
Dirty
5 stars for the wicked band & tunes, -2 stars for biafra’s cringe politics & “zany” delivery
Shrill from the off... Growing on me around "Let's Lynch the Landlord" though heheheh A raucous anti-establishment from top to bottom! Makes you wish that this kind of content was a bit more popular in the capitalist-ridden year of our lord 2023. I honestly thought I'd hate this but it's an incredible album to stick on if you have a shit ton of energy, a hatred of corporations and an hour to burn.
Hard rocking thrash punk metal! This was just OK though, didn’t blow me away although Kill The Poor is an absolute tune!
Punk
Such a lot of fun. Short songs, raced through. Really enjoyed it.
6/10. Stealing People's Mail really made me think about that one scene in the Jim Carrey The Grinch movie. I liked the Viva Las Vegas rendition. Also not sure what beef these guys had with Jerry Brown
6.5/10
Great fun, love this era of punk
I do really appreciate how some punk songs end after 90 seconds cause that's all that's needed. 3.5/5
Loud, aggressive. Very loud, very aggressive, in fact. I don’t like Jello Biafra’s voice but I do like the tempo and sound of this album. It’s kinda same-y and it stumbles in places (like the ending of Chemical Warfare and the splitting headache it gave me), but the closing stretch won back most of the goodwill it lost. Best song: Holiday in Cambodia
Never been that big into the Dead Kennedys. Jello Biafra’s singing/talking I always found irritating, and they were a bit too overtly political for me. This album is solid enough, with some decent songs, but not one I ever seek out. There’s probably 20 other punk albums I’d rather listen to first.
I know a few of these songs pretty well, and I like them, but the ones I didn't know I thought sounded like amateur shit. Does that mean kill the poor is actually garbage? probably, haha. But it kinda had charm, painful singing and all. 3/5.
loud and punk was fun but got old quick
It worked to a degree. Could have used fewer racial slurs
That raw punk sound but more dangerous sounding compared to The Clash
I do not like punk music and was going to rate this a 2, but I LOVE the song themes and titles. Kill The Poor, I Kill Children, what an absolute riot. Funland at the Beach is hilarious. I enjoyed the listen.
Jää mulle lopulta vähän liian siistiksi ja etäiseksi, räkä puuttuu. Mutta! Suosikkibiisini Holiday in Cambodia pelastaa, kokonaiskuva hyvän puolella.
Easily the hookiest and most varied of all the punk records on this list. "Viva Las Vegas" is good fun. "Holiday in Cambodia" and the political satire, certainly trenchant then, remains apt today. Totally Pistolsy from the outset, but "Kill the Poor" makes clear it will be different, cheekier, and better played, too. But there's an unmistakable Valley Girl vibe.
This was okay, I think a couple of the stronger tracks are "Viva Las Vegas," which a cover (but another, grittier take). And then "California Über Alles". The rest just sort of fell flat for me.
I used to love the Dead Kennedys. Probably in my punk days. Even though I've always hated punk.
алкальбом: жигули у падика во дворе хрущевок
Ух, давненько я панкухи не слушал. И тут меня прям прикололо! Очень сильно! Крепко!!! Потому что это панк не отдельно в музыке или отдельно в тексте: это панк по настроению, панк везде. Такую музыку нельзя назвать изначально "текстоцентричной", потому что при прослушивании, как мне кажется, не-носитель разберёт меньше половины сказанного... Однако, как я уже сказал, текстово альбом тоже про панк: вокалист саркастически проходится по консерватизму, капитализму, насилию, Холодной войне; естественно, с позиции бунтаря. Слушать тяжело, но легче чем Black Flag какой-нибудь. Как мне кажется (жду потом рассказ от Тёмы), это - важная группа в контексте развития хардкор-панка, 80ый год как раз.
This is the punky shit I have waited for, great album, was on the toilet learning about some Ancient Roman drama during this, good vibes.
14 songs in 32 minutes with a checklist of bad behaviors and a frantic drive to wreck the stage. I'm not sure how to gauge the context for the Dead Kennedys, but it's not scary, dour, or even serious. It's more cheeky and farcical than rebellious or preachy. 'Viva Las Vegas' impersonating Elvis sets a campy exclamation point to the list.
I'm not punk enough to love the Kennedys. California Uber Alles speaks to me though.
Not my typical style but I could appreciate it to a certain extent I didn't think I was gonna make it through but it started growing on me and I ended up listening to it all Sometimes it's fun to listen to a little bit on insane music 😂
Favorite Song: Holiday in Cambodia This entire album gives "'Rock Lobster' on steroids" vibes. Also, phew, these lyrics are wonk.
Hard, fast punk. Dead Kennedys are political and opinionated but definitely have a sense of humor too. There are moments of weirdo theatricality that remind me of System of a Down. I like that they interject some strangeness into the music.
Classic 70’s punk that I heard in college.
Moar Punk! I learnt about California Uber Alles via the cover by Disposable Heros of Hypocrisy, I have a world map in my bathroom and think about Holiday In Cambodia everytime I look at that section of the map. This album seems to be a reaction to what was happening in the world at the time but sadly it's still happening.
Legendary punk group with some cool songs, most notably Cali Uber Alles, but lacks the melody of later punk from California that I more positively would react to.
More or less the same as the v20 other pink albums we've had so far
mye bråk, men kan backe noe
this album is at its best when it toes the line of political satire. Unfortunately half the songs don’t come close and then the others take themselves too seriously. California Uber alles is genius, but holiday in Cambodia is kinda cringe. best tracks: let’s lynch the landlord, California Uber alles, kill the poor
3,5 stars. Didnt really listen to punk before but it was alright. Holiday in Cambodia was the only track i knew but also the best.
Liked it more than I thought I would. Great lyrics and the instruments weren't mostly obnoxiously noise like some early punk. Some parts still felt like pure noise though. 3.5/5
Most songs sound like very similar siblings but of course I am pro „Lynch Landlord“. Faith No More and System of a Down would‘ve never been possible without DK 2.5
Twee dagen geleden noemde ik deze naam nog na het luisteren van The Undertones. Af en toe een wel erg schelle kakofonie. Met name een bepaald stuk in Chemical Warfare is een enkele reis naar tinnitus city. Holiday in Cambodia, California Uber Alles en Kill the Poor zijn voor mij de hoogtepunten. Met vlagen dus zeker leuk maar niet genoeg voor 4 sterren. Eigenlijk is de hele side A te schel en te meh.
Politiek beladen debuutalbum van de ultralinkse Dead Kennedys uit San Francisco (uiteraard). Definiërende punk dat duidelijk uit passie/woede is gemaakt. Goed, maar vaak te extreem in de muziek en/of de lyrics om gewoon naar te luisteren. leukste nummer: California Über Alles Hoewel Dead Kennedys een fantastische bandnaam is, moesten de band vanwege de controverse vaak onder een andere naam optreden.
chemical warefare
Doesn't sound like Slash is guesting on an Ocean Colour Scene song.
Fast paced. Fun lyrics. Not sure on vocal delivery.
I know this group by name, but only know a couple hits. Lucky for me, the two hits I know are on here! "California Uber Alles" from a Tony Hawk game, and "Holiday in Cambodia" from Guitar Hero. Pretty foundational punk stuff, leaning heavily into the angst and angry themes. Track titles like "Let's Lynch the Landlord" and "Stealing People's Mail" are gonna make me laugh no matter what. Sonically, it's not exactly the kind of punk that I prefer, but I respect what they did here, and the hits are undeniable. Favorite tracks: Holiday in Cambodia, California Uber Alles, Your Emotions. Album art: Car on fire? Black and white? Love the title font and color. 3.5/5
Bay area Fergal Sharkey does punk. Good stuff.
I first heard this band in college. I didn’t really like them and couldn’t understand their lyrics at first, but after a while I grew to appreciate them. I love the fast guitars.
Hardcore isn't my favorite, but there's some great stuff going on here. I've long been a fan of "California Uber Alles" and "Holiday in Cambodia," but this was the first time I got to hear the whole album. Overall, I think this album could use better sequencing because although it is pretty varied for a hardcore album, a couple of the back-to-back songs sounded too much the same for my liking. other than that, though, the band can play and they mix it up, and Jello's lyrics are biting and hysterical and (sigh) still relevant.
Sorry James perhaps this caught me off guard early in the morning but found this a bit much. Wasn't my bag
Classic Punk rock. "Kill The Poor", "California Uber Alles", and "Holiday in Cambodia" were some of my favorites.
Pretty raw. Enjoyed it
This was good, kind of fun
I enjoyed this album a lot more than I expected!
I'm a bit hit or miss on older British punk but Dead Kennedys are one of the good ones. Instrumentally complex enough to remain interesting and catchy, witty, politically savage lyrics.
Miserable lyrics but otherwise ok
Really really really punk rock. Would probably be great to see live with all their energy.
Not my thing
I knew nothing about the Dead Kennedys apart from being shit scared of a punk in the year above me at school. He had a mohican, wore size 10 DM’s and had Dead Kennedys painted on the back of his leather jacket. What was all the fuss about? This is pussycat music compared to Crass. You can hear the transition from the first wave of punk through to post punk. This is an album caught in No Man’s Land. It’s not dangerous, and it’s nothing to be scared of. It’s a good time fun album.
This was ok. I don't usually like punk, but this was fine. I wouldn't listen to it again, however.
to
I did not really like it, but also cannot fault it for not sounding like what I'm used to listening to or like to listen to more often. This album is loud, raucous, and unapologetic. As far as punk goes, the rhythms and structures of each song is more complex. Also, to me, they sound like a prototype of System of a Down, whom I absolutely love.
A band I have always heard of but never actually heard. I grew up in the San Fransisco Bay Area and always knew them to be popular but they were never played n the radio stations ai listened to. So, I was interested to hear this album. Standouts: Kill the Poor, Your Emotions, Chemical Warfare, California Uber Alles, Holliday in Cambodia, Viva Las Vegas. Others: Forward to Death, When You Get Drafted, Let’s lynch the Landlord, ill in the Head
Pretty damn solid punk record. It was barely over 3 minutes and it just flew by. A problem with it is the songs blend into each other a little too much, but the songs are still all good, and the few standouts are excellent. Good listen. 3.5/5
P good, one of the earliest punk albums to be worth some fun
I think I should’ve been listening to the lyrics
I know it's a classic, I even know it's good. But Jello's voice just gets on my nerves like crazy. Way too theatrical for punk, at least for my taste.
chaotic, love the titles
Hell of a rendition of Viva Las Vegas.
Twas a hard listen for me personally for the majority of it. With the exception of Chemical Warfare, and the nice pleasant surprise at the end of realizing this is the band who sings Holiday in Cambodia, and Viva Loss Vegas! Luckily they were somewhat redeemed for me by the many hours spent as a kid playing guitar hero 3 so for that I will give this album a 3. Just wasn’t very good for a lot of the songs in my opinion. Guitar riffs felt boring/monotonous after a while and the vocals just horrendous to listen to for the majority.
Three punk albums in one week… all from very different eras! This might be my favorite time period. It just feels so silly and unserious, and then you get behind the lyrics and there’s more to it. I think the singer alone gives this album an extra star, he’s so unique. Holiday in Cambodia is pretty amazing. When he started screaming “Pol! Pot!” I must have been at peak Dead Kennedys. I really wish this album were mixed better. It’s a shame that it sounds like a pretty lofi, live recording… some more fidelity would have done a lot for me. Thank you punk albums for being so short! In and out and done! Thats how it should be.
Was not felling it in the beginning but it won me over. Rocks hard
Liked this quite a bit actually, but it's definitely not something I'd want to put on whenever. 3.5 rounded down.
Great lyrics
This might be easily the best punk album I have ever listened to. Surprised how much I actually liked it despite it not being my go-to genre. Starts and ends with absolute bangers, overall amusing and full of life.
Pretty wacky. Exactly what you expect from DK.
is this allowed?
So, that's the thing about shock rock. It's trying to satirically shake people loose from their complacency long enough to get them thinking. Problem is the other, more likely, reaction is for a knee jerk reaction because they think it's literal. Offended and now further entrenched, they remain complacent and bolsters in smug judgement. But yeah, this is punk through and through!
I don't hate this although it sounds a lot like the same song over and over (and over). I do love Holiday in Cambodia, though. Probably one bonus star just for that song...
I like the political messaging but not a big fan of 80's Punk
A few really great songs. Not enough of them. Anyone else seeing this comment? :P
has a unique sound but besides that it just fits into the punk category and it doesnt feel extra special to me
Oh yeah. time for a holiday. tough no nonsense lyrics.
Interesting
yup, it's shock-punk!
beetje te veel
La versió del punk nordamericà més propera a l'europea. Aquí, però, el nihilisme anglés no té cabuda, i les lletres intel.ligents de Jello Biafra són una part tan o més important que la música que les encercla. Dos temes de primer nivell, 'Holidays in Cambodia' i 'California Über Alles' i la resta tot un push d'actitud i d'agressivitat per una década -la de Reagan i Thatcher- que tot just començava... però que ja apuntava maneres
Hef aldrei almennilega hlustað á Dead Kennedys, en hllustaði nokkrum sinnum á spoken-word plötu Jello Biafra, I blow minds for a living, í gamla daga. Þetta er ekki beinlínis minni tebolli, en vissulega hresst og alls ekki leiðinlegt. En ég þarf þetta helst í smáskömmtum.
I was never cool enough to be a hardcore punk but this has 2 classics and lots of great tracks.
The name Dead Kennedys was a good name to choose since I knew the name of the band in the early 80s even though they got zero airplay in Sudbury circa 1980. The lead singer's choice of surname was also good since I know that Biafra was the name of a country in Africa. My friend's parents would try to guilt him into eating overcooked broccoli by informing him that "children are starving in Biafra". Mix that overcooked broccoli with some Jello and you can't help but think of this band. Decades later a neighbour lent me a Dead Kennedys' record since I had a turntable and he didn't. I moved from the neighbourhood, still have the loaned record and have never played it. I don't know why I never played it - well, now I know. I have no idea why, but I'm giving this a 3.
Hardcore punk is near the top of my list of least favourite genres, but of that mob, Dead Kennedys are the only group who I can name a song from. The choruses and song titles stay in your head, California über alles, Kill the Poor and Holiday in Cambodia, for example. Not to mention Soup is Good Food, from another album. Dead Kennedys were America's Sex Pistols with more satirical and hilarious lyrics.
i mean, it was aight?
A better and less superficial version of The Sex Pistols. Ferocious music and politically charged lyrics (although they're mostly undecipherable without the lyric sheet). Rating: 3/5 Playlist track: Kill The Poor Date listened: 05/09/22
In het begin voelde ik hem echt maar echt niet. Maar vanaf song 3 ofzo begon het me wel te bekoren. Tof voor één keer te horen.
Very good punk album. Short & gets the messages across LOUD AND CLEAR. Fav song: Chemical Warfare
There was some interesting suff that I had never heard before. Great punk.
This has got a lot of energy, but the quality is pretty inconsistent.
First half of the album the vocals stayed at the forefront of the audio, distracting from the instrumentals. They could've used more vocal layering to add more texture to the audio. The second half of the album the sound of the vocals and instrumentals was balanced and provided more vocal layering. A lot of extremely varying tempo and generally a lot faster than the first half of the album. Overall the album has very chaotic energy and lyrics. Mainly upbeat and drum heavy as you would expect from most rock music. 'Outrageous' lyrics that were controversial for the time it was produced. Hard to understand lyrics - fun to listen to and sing along to.
No los había escuchado nunca, pero este viaje me ha hecho reflexionar que en realidad conozco muy poco del punk. Este disco es una buena entrada .
4/14, 29%
I respected this, but didn't like it. I could tell why it's on the list.
Old punk still isn't great. California Uber Allies is the only memorable song for a reason
El punk era esto. Aquí hay inspiración de más de una banda. Temazos como "Kill the poor" o "California Uber Alles". Esto si hay que escucharlo al menos una vez.
I remember this band, and I had heard a few of these tracks before. It was a good reminder for me that this album was recorded and released as long ago as it was. I didn't hear much punk or anything close to it until the mid- and late-80s, so my memory sometimes conflates my first hearing something with the time of an album's release, so I had always associated this band with late 80s. I actually like knowing those things because, for me at least, understanding the social, political, and cultural context in which an album was created and released adds a lot to the experience. Thinking of American culture and politics in the late 70s, and especially San Francisco's -- where Jello Biafra ran for mayor in '79 -- and the assassination of Harvey Milk, etc., the energy and frenetic style of this album feels spot on. This group performs so well. Weird, wild, and fun (as well as funny at times), but doesn't go so far off the rails that it all denigrates to my ears into abstract cacophony, which can happen sometimes for me when listening to punk/thrash and similar styles. Good stuff here.
Not a fan of punk music but quite enjoyed this. Holiday in Cambodia and Let's Lynch The Landlord are really fun. The vocalist is pretty enjoyable too.
Cet album a eu le mérite d'attiser ma curiosité étant données les récentes découvertes de mon camarade d'écoute eltrapeze au sujet de l'implication de Jim Morrison dans la mort de JFK. Affaire à suivre.
3/5 Herd this for the first time just last week, now here it is on this list. One of the best of the genre that I've heard. Chemical Warfare, California Uber Alles, I Kill Children, Holiday in Cambodia, and Even Viva Las Vegas...all songs I enjoyed!
My attitude about political or activist music has been going downhill a long time... It’s hard to feel like it really affects anything, and it all ends up on Google Play advancing the cause of neoliberal capitalism... still, this did dare to be more objectionable than most, and rocks pretty hard throughout. Biafra makes some weird singing choices but you can’t deny it’s distinct.
Classic punk album, I was surprised by how many songs I recognized (and liked). The rest of the album doesn't really hold up to the hits in my opinion, and I don't see myself really putting this on a lot.
Context is everything. Holiday in Cambodia and California, Kill the Poor and Über Alles are classic. But, if listening to this album for the first time and knowing nothing about Jello Biafra or the time of this album, I'd hate it. Eric Speichert had acquired the infamous Frankenchrist 12" (the album after FFfRV) with original fold-out insert and brought it to school. He was avid vinyl collector and super proud of that album. For me, my fourteen-year-old self was super-excited (pun intended) to see the penis / vagina insert (pun intended). But super-let-down when he showed it to everyone... LAAAME... "This is why everyone was pissed off...? There's no context... you can't even see anything..." Looking back on this, Biafra was the perfect loudmouth, antagonizer punk rock advocate for free speech. He (and ICE-T) helped build resistance against Tipper Gore's drive to censor musicians and scale back first amendment rights. But today, that's all forgotten, glossed over. We all understand and expect those rights. The 'free speech vs. censorship' fight no longer exists. That fight has evolved into who can out free speech each other? Who can be the most nasty, vile, personal, incendiary and provocative. Oh, and bonus points are scored if it inflicts in anxiety, mental anguish, or suicide. The genie is out of the box and looking back at some of Biafra's sarcasm, double-talk and weasely antics in today's world, It's hard not to discard him for being a troll who likes to hear himself instigate and watch shit burn. It's even harder to look back at your once punk rock icons like Biafra (and even Excene Cervenka) and think to yourself, "I know they weren't perfect, but is it possible they could've been terrible people all along...?" As for the music on this album, it's loud, obtrusive, maniacal and chaotic. Great for what it was and in the context for which it existed... but time moves on, and and this album hasn't time traveled well.
Better than I expected. I mostly avoid US punk.
DKs were massive when I was at school. I was only ever a casual listener. This was sure no holiday in Vietnam.
Another US act I've been meaning to check out, that got thrown at me this week. Good hard rocking punk.
Liked it! Don't recall ever listening to much from this group.
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! Me gusta, me gusta, sí, ese aroma a lo que Duff McKagan aportó a GN'R, esa cosa cruda y cagarse de risa, total ya está todo mal. Sí, aguante.
3/5 did not make it.
Just not my thing.
One of the bands that can be genuinely considered to be part of the original punk scene and this has a lot of short tracks as was the fashion of the genre. Uncompromising lyrics, constantly quick tempos, insistent rhythm guitars and an almost anti-music vocal approach. It became seen as the first dishonest side of rock n roll - we can't play and we're proud of it - and I can see why this view proliferates when listening to this album. This would not be seen as a great album to anyone other than the initiated.
Each track more or less sounds the same as all the others from the album. I am still (patiently) waiting to hear some musically interesting ideas. Very little variance. I think there are worse records, but this has to be one of the least appealing and interesing releases I listened to.
Nah. It all sounds the same.
kill the WHAT? WHO?
Not a genre I would ever seek out.
I kind of feel like Dead Kennedys had a huge influence on the political outlook of today’s alt-right.
It was a different era.
this album felt as though it was intentionally made poorly, as a kind of punk statement which I understand was on brand but it just wasn’t an enjoyable listen for me
wasn’t for me had glimpses of being for me but it wasn’t
Not something I vibed with
Punk rock has never sounded more annoying. That's probably not true, but boy oh boy did I hate the lead singer's voice. This is a very hard pass from me, and I hope they don't appear again. 2/5
Intense listening.
not my bag
I see the vision but I don't think its my taste really 2.5
first 80s record on my roulette... not a huge fan. everything sort of blends together in an angsty, political blur. fast paced songs about screwing ur landlord or packing a wife for home from a vacation in cambodia, not really my taste politically, historically, or genre-wise. wouldn't listen to it if it weren't for the challenge but if i had to pick a favorite track, it may be chemical warfare or kill the poor - because the track titles are the chorus, and the most memorable lyrics. or let's lynch the landlord!
4.5/10
I understand the love people have for this but the album it's just not for me. In the 'Keywords from Reviews' you find 'Hardcore' 'Political' 'Fast' 'Loud'. Totally on point but I guess punk rock is not my thing.
hmm, not a fan..
Du bruit
I liked the music but didn’t like the vocals. I know it’s punk music and the singing is secondary to the music but it just put me off. Let’s Lynch the landlord was great and Viva Las Vegas really surprised me
I appreciate where this was for punk in 1980. His voice reminds me of the B52s and I couldn’t shake it.
Définitivement, je n'aime pas le punk. Tout n'est pas inaudible ici, mais globalement : que de bruit !
Love the spirit and the energy, alas, don't love the actual music
★★½
Erinneret a SOAD eif musikalisch viel primitiver.
Tönt eif alles gliich ich han nd emal checkt wenn en song wechslef während em arbeite
Nearly had a panic attack
My prior 3 connections to Dead Kennedys were 1) playing Holiday in Cambodia on Guitar Hero 3 and realizing it was really hard to play even on a video game; 2) hearing the Disposable Heros of Hypophrisy (remember them?) play a cover of California Uber Alles in 1992 but directed towards Pete Wilson I want to say; and 3) seeing Jello Biafra in a bar in Columbus Ohio where celebrity sightings were very rare. Well here we are finally listening to a DK album. It kind of sucked.
Is this complete unlistenable? No. Would I seek it out? No.
I liek a lot
Screaming punk
Some great songs on this album. A full DK album is something I have to be in the mood for.
Ugh. At least it was over relatively quickly.
Just not clicking with me. 2/5.
The politcal satire is sharp, and the guitar is really cool, but I really struggle to get into punk in general. It's very one-noted and messy. If the album was more like Holiday In Cambodia I would've enjoyed this a lot more, that track gives itself time to breathe and build an idea. Favorite song: Holiday In Cambodia Worst song: Viva Las Vegas Cover check: Really liked the cover art, it screams anarchy
1.5 Greatest punk record of all time.
I'm sure this appeals to someone...I'm so sick of listening to masculine voices at this point. Particularly in the punk genre.
Didn't hate it, but yeah nah not my thing.
This is probably in my top five, at least top ten, of bands-that-I-know-should-be-more-familiar-with, or should have at least listened to more than once or twice. But I see why I never got into them. Maybe in 1980 it would have been more appealing, but not so much now. These guys come across a lot sillier than I was expecting. Anyway, glad I listened but won't be revisiting.
I'm sympathetic to punk, but Dead Kennedys don't really connect for me. Tried to go back through for a second listen to make sure I didn't miss anything, but I'm gassed out after 5 songs. I think it would be overly dismissive to call this "bad." I think instead I can only say that it really doesn't work for me. 2 / 5
Just had to get another punk album through before the end. Heard of California Uber Allies, pretty catchy. Holiday in Cambodia was the only other song of note.
Another entry for my mediocre music, annoying male vocalist, unintelligible lyrics collection.
2.8
Big 2 ça part trop en couille des fois
I can’t help but find this annoying as shit to listen to - I feel like I’m listening to a load of coked up teenagers smash at guitars & drums in their garage. It’s clearly got all the energy, drive & attitude needed for a classic punk record, but I just can’t get on with it. I know punk music is meant to be angry, aggressive, and unashamedly raw, but this one is too much for me.
stressful and unpleasant “punk” “hardcore” are not words i would use to describe my taste in music when reading the lyrics, it’s a strong message. classic youth revolt. establishing personhood. shock value. hard r viva las vegas cover is funny i like their messages just not the best way to get to me personally
didn’t like it was not my jam 4/10
yks parhaista punkkilevyistä mitä oon kuullu, sen ansiosta kakkonen
Giving it two stars for the social commentary, otherwise it would be one.
i will always stand for what punk is about and hope it never dies but i just hate how it sounds
It’s whatever, a little overstimulating imo. I dont hate the music, but the vocals are what dragged the score down for me. i saved 4/15 songs so 2 stars
Punk
it's like the singer constantly have one of those BS vibration workout machines... For me this band is a one hit wonder. The sound get old veeery fast. 30 min felt like an hour.
Meh not great.
checmical warfare good rest not good
It has the same energy as the leftist punk bar I went to in Kraków last month… love the bar but I don’t actually enjoy listening to this that much
...
If this is your thing probably great. But not for me.
Could barely listen to it!
punk - not really my thing.
I really hated it when I first listened to it, but I had a headache at the time, so I gave it another shot the next day. It was better the second time but only a star extra. As a piece of political art, it's great, musically it's so-so.
I always seem to get aggressive punk rock albums on days when I’ve woken up enraged by one thing or another. Didn’t help my mood.
Pretty punk!
The presence of Alison takes this from a 4 to a 5.
Political punk rock from the early 80s just sounds dated.
Eh
Boring punk with annoying voice
Early punk yay, still ass.
Historic hard punk. The details of the time are understudied nowadays. Sure you should know it happened, but it’s not necessarily an “enjoyable” album or one there are lessons to still be learned. I would rather like to see modern works inspired by this album.
Meh? I still don't get this kind of punk. Maybe it's because it's tainted by the Anti-authoritarian Uncanny Valley that is the Sex Pistols. Maybe it's because I don't vibe with genres where "reject EVERYTHING" is a founding principle. Either way, Better than the Sex Pistols, worse than the Clash. I could see this creeping up at some point, but I'm really not feeling it now.
Never listened to Dead Kennedys before. A little repetitive.
Loud punk... not my cup of tea, could've been worse
Fast, loud, and quite annoying. 2 stars or D+.
Att den här är lika gammal som nervous breakdown
It's ok for punk, but I don't really like classic punk.
The only positive of this album was I didn’t have to listen to another British punk band from this era. Still didn’t enjoy it.
It's fast, it's loud, it's rocky and cacophanous - it's punk rock and it's all kind of the same.
2 Stars (5/15)
80s punk. Debut. Not the kind of punk I enjoy, chaotic, fast, not melodic.
I love the politically charged messages, but don't love the sound :/ I'm just not punk ig
Na dawg
punk but not good punk...
Love the message and attitude. Music is underwhelming tho
Nothing against this, just not for me. Kinda sounds like if spongebob got emo and sung a punk album.
I know the name but not sure I've ever heard their music before. I was not into this sound in 1980, too young to even consider it. I like the punk vibe and energy , but this dude's voice is too Johnny Rotten for me to enjoy. But I will give him props that I can understand him which isn't always the case with punk infused music. The guitar work stands out ("Kill The Poor", "Let's Lynch The Landlord"), that's rare with a punk album. He sounds like a manic nutjob on every song, I just can't get past that. Thankfully most of the songs are 2 minutes long. I had to fast forward through a few ("Forward To Death", "Drug Me", "I Kill Children" on title alone, and "Stealing People's Mail". I will bet their shows were high energy, sweaty, events with true mohawked punks back in 1980. Kudos to the band for staying power, the least listened to song has over 1.5M listens, the most has over 22M. More impressive than most albums on this T1001 list. 2 stars is the best I can do, and that's generous.
Das Album geht von 0 auf 100 in zwei Sekunden und wenn es stoppt fühlt es sich an als wäre man gegen eine Wand gefahren. In meinen Ohren hat es sich hauptsächlich nach Krach und Chaos angehört, aber es wird mit Sicherheit seine Hörer gefunden haben
Mit Punk werde ich nicht mehr warm. California über alles is ganz gut.
2.75
non mi sono impegnata troppo ad ascoltarlo tutto ma non ce la faccio I am sorry
In my opinion, there are only a handful of really talented punk rock bands and these guys are not one of them. They sound like a Saturday Night Live parody of the Sex Pistols, which are one of the great ones. Give me The Clash or the Ramones or the Patty Smith Group any day. The only good thing about this band that I could hear is the fact that they can play their instruments. But the singer sounds like Johnny Rotten on a bad day.
This was tough for me to get through. All of the songs sounded the same, white people were using the N word, and the named target of their rage was...Jerry Brown...? What? I don't hate all punk rock, but all of the features of punk that I don't like can be found in this album. Overly simplistic politics, noisey and repetitive.
It’s interesting how I gave another Dead Kennedys album 4 stars and this one o ly two. Didn’t have the same inpact
Whoa. Its too much.
I wasn’t really in the mood for this and then I realized maybe I never would be. I liked 2 songs though
Not my jam
Packed with wild energy and sharp humor, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables is a fun listen, though Jello Biafra’s intense vocals can be a bit much over a whole album.
2edgy5me. Reading up on them its interesting, and I can understand the angle at which the music comes from given the backlash to it, but outside of the cultural moment within which it existed, I think the music isn't particularly good.
Ok music with vocals by a frightened wizard.
I don't understand the lyrics too fast even with headphones
It may have been fun to listen to at the time but it hasn't aged well at all. Hard listen if you're not big into punk. I'm not convinced it is an all timer album that anyone needs to hear, even though I am perfectly aware of its place in the punk genre. For those of you who think that the Dead Kennedys are raging against the Reagan administration, just know that his album came out well before that national election. These guys are so far left wing that they are raging against the peaceful friendly Jimmy Carter, who was president at the time, and Jerry Brown, the Mr. Softy, as Governor of California, both of them Democrats.
I know these guys are THE punk icons but they almost sounded SKA in this album. Drug me was unlistenable but overall it was fine but I didn’t love it
Not really my vibe but I liked how political it sounded
They have a sound. For me it’s too much for an album
Not my style.
Couple of recognizable songs. Not my style
Main focus is speed....all other aspects suffer
Not into it
I felt indifferent to this album.
I'm a little surprised at myself for not giving this a 1. It's not great, and definitely not my genre, but was a slightly catchy at times.
Not my jam. Respect to those who rock like this
What Billy said with an extra star purely for Holiday in Cambodia. Is he called Jello because he constantly sounds like he's being physically shaken while singing? 🥴
pretty good but I tuned out near the end tbh
A few alright ones in there. I could picture the bar fight scene as the music played, but overall eh, 2.5 1 - would not listen to again 2 - if some one played it, I'd probably just zone it out 3 - didn't hate it, didn't love it 4 - saved some songs from the album 5 - would buy the album or already own it
This feels like parody. It may have been fun to listen to at the time but it hasn't aged well at all. Hard listen if you're not big into punk.
Meh. Angsty punk.
Not a fan of the vocals or how he sounds like he is blubbering while singing?
Um punhado de canções excessivamente diretas e aceleradas, sem nenhuma sutileza melódica. Alguma insinuação de conciliação métrica entre ritmo e melodia em "Let's Lynch The Landlord", com um bom momento de guitarras e baixo; e na satírica "Viva Las Vegas". Fraquinho!
11 year old Guitar Hero playing me would've enjoyed this a lot more.
I actually kinda liked this one. This is like a 2.7-2.8. Some of it reminds me of a Tony Hawk soundtrack. I can hear how this inspired other groups. Also, I could identify the diversity in these songs.
kind of repetitive..but gave political insight. not really my style.
Thrashing, frantic, and perfect for the 1001 Must Hear List. You can tell by their name, the Dead Kennedys are here to disrupt the norm. And they do. I Kill Children, Stealing People’s Mail, and Funland at the Beach is perhaps the most disturbing three-in-a-rowfer ever put to vinyl. These rebellious droogs never got that popular because the subject matter of their songs was so dystopian they couldn’t be played on the radio. California Uber Alles and Chemical Warfare are interesting concepts. The album is politically charged and politically incorrect - it comes in at (2.4*s)
I'm finding myself more and more surprised how much representation punk bands are getting. It's an iconic genre for the edge, attitude and presence it can maintain from generation to generation despite fans aging out of the punk scene over time. I've never been a big punk rock fan, and often find a lot of punk acts pretty annoying after 15 minutes or so, but I appreciate the music and scene for what it represents. Dead Kennedys are iconic for their outright political satire identity. As mentioned above I can typically enjoy the first 15-20 minutes of a punk album but by the end of it the formula is played out so there is diminishing returns as each song ends. This one surprised me and went the other way despite the inane lyics and whatnot. I found myself enjoying it more and more as I got through it which admittedly wasn't much at the beginning. This isn't something I would listen to with any regularity but in the right environment I can see why people go crazy for punk rock even if it isn't really my thing. 2.21 stars
no me mola
Really loud