"Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death" serves as a compelling compilation album by the American hardcore punk band Dead Kennedys, unleashed upon the music scene in June 1987 via frontman Jello Biafra's record label Alternative Tentacles.
The album cover is a striking juxtaposition, featuring a composite image blending a 1950s shaving cream ad with a haunting photograph depicting the 1946 famine in Calcutta. This visual statement reflects the band's penchant for social commentary and provocative imagery, setting the tone for the visceral and politically charged music contained within.
As a compilation album, "Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death" brings together a diverse selection of Dead Kennedys' most essential tracks, spanning their career up to that point. From anthems of rebellion like "Holiday in Cambodia" to scathing critiques of consumer culture such as "Pull My Strings," each song on the album resonates with the band's trademark intensity and biting wit.
Released at a time when punk rock was undergoing significant evolution, "Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death" stands as a testament to Dead Kennedys' enduring influence on the genre. With its incisive social commentary, unapologetic attitude, and ferocious musicality, the album remains a timeless classic beloved by fans of punk rock and alternative music alike.
