Still 'fresh' after all these years

Punk music tends to not look back. However, with the genre falling into such disarray in the 80s and early 90s, there has been a resurgence in punk nostalgia. The San Francisco band the Dead Kennedys re-released their first full-length album Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables in order to celebrate its 25th anniversary. In a quarter of a century, a lot has changed in the music world. However, this repackaging of Fresh Fruit is a perfect example of paying attention to the past while still inspiring others for the future.\nOriginally released in 1980, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables was one of the earliest politically conscious punk rock albums. While groups like the Ramones focused on the ennui of teen years, the Dead Kennedys took that frustration and turned it outwards against the status quo. From East Bay Ray's chainsaw guitar riffs to the bass-heavy intros from Klaus Fluoride (all stage names), Fresh Fruit sounds like it could have been recorded last week. While some of the subject matter might have lost its topicality, the aggression behind the tracks remains in tact.\nTo newbies to the Dead Kennedys' legacy, Fresh Fruit is a perfect launching point into the band. Three of the band's most memorable singles are included ("Kill the Poor," "Holiday in Cambodia" and "California Uber Alles"), as well as many overlooked minute-and-half anthems. Unlike many other punk albums that are incapable of keeping the energy up for the entire album, Fresh Fruit keeps up the aggressive tempo up until the drug-addled version of "Viva Las Vegas."\nFor the old fans, the re-released version of this CD comes with a 55-minute documentary DVD. Entitled "Fresh Fruit for Rotting Eyeballs," it details the first two years of the band up to the release of the album. However, because of inter-band politics, lead singer Jello Biafra doesn't participate. The documentary also clears up some confusion over several controversies, from the original grudge against Governor Jerry Brown to the respect the band had for the Kennedy family. There are also five live performances from the late 70s, including one stunned audience listening to "Kill the Poor" for the first time.\nFresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables is one of the landmark albums in punk rock history. It's just as fresh as it was 25 years ago. New fans should love the music and old-school punks can dig into the documentary. After so long, the Dead Kennedys are still "fresh"