Dragon Ash started out from humble punk beginnings to become one of the bri… Read Full Bio ↴Dragon Ash started out from humble punk beginnings to become one of the brightest groups in the growing New Japanese Rock movement in the late '90s, blending pop sensibilities with a hard-edged sound, producing albums and singles that play like a tour of Western rock of the '90s. Lead singer and guitarist Kenji Furuya, son of actor Ikko Furuya, met drummer Makoto Sakurai when they were junior high students in a Tokyo suburb, and the two started playing together. Though temporarily sidetracked into following in his father's footsteps, Furuya gave up the few acting gigs that he was getting on TV dramas to concentrate on music in high school. In 1996, knowing what they wanted but needing some sort of mentor, they took on bass player Ikuzo Baba, ten years their senior. Furuya and Sakurai had the talent and drive — Baba brought experience and a wealth of musical knowledge. Dragon Ash was born. The group debuted in 1997 with two EPs at the beginning of the year, The Day Dragged On and Public Garden, which showed their raw, punk hardcore style, influenced by another rock trio, Nirvana. By the end of the year and time of their release, Mustang!, the group had progressed from their simple punk roots to a blend of pop, funk, hardcore, rap, and metal. Through 1998 their popularity increased, and by the time of Buzz Songs, their sound had solidified to rock/rap, helped with the mixing skills of DJ Bots, who occasionally appeared on some songs. Two singles — "Let Yourself Go, Let Myself Go" and "Grateful Days," the latter featuring hardcore rapper Zeebra and soulstress ACO — sold so well that they cracked the Japanese Oricon charts, usually reserved for pop music, and went to number one. Now Dragon Ash had become a four-piece, with DJ Bots essential to the mix. Their third album, 1999's Viva la Revolution, not only signified the arrival of the band as a major group in Japan, but was one of the first volleys in the New Japanese Rock movement. In 2000, Dragon Ash undertook the Total Music Communication Tour, touring Japan with a lineup that included other rising rock acts, such as Missile Girl Scout, Penpals, and Skebou Kings. Meanwhile, Furuya and DJ Bots formed a duo of sorts, writing and producing songs for acts such as Sugar Soul under the name Steady & Co. Likewise, Baba and Sakurai sidelined as a remixing unit called Motor Headphone, popping up on various compilations. If anyone had any doubts that the group was softening around the edges, 2001's Lily of da Valley was as hard, funky, and uncompromising as their earliest work.

Landscape
Dragon Ash Lyrics

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The ice on the lake
It's the final phase
in the vinyl days
With a smile on the face
waiting for the grace
I'm waiting for the grace...
I could only clutch my cross
But the nice view

from the hill so stilly
It's like you
holy light the soul
It's like you
hold me tight at breezy night

With a smile on the face
I'm waiting for the grace
With a smile on the face

I'm waiting for the grace
I'm waiting for the grace

Overall Meaning

Dragon Ash's "Landscape" is a song about finding peace and solace in nature. The lyrics paint a picture of a serene winter landscape with a frozen lake and a view from a hill. The singer of the song is waiting for something, potentially a higher power or a spiritual awakening, and finds comfort in the beauty of nature. The line "I could only clutch my cross" suggests that the singer is seeking religious guidance or protection.

Despite this, the lyrics suggest that the singer finds the most solace in the natural world. The line "holy light the soul" and the repetition of "waiting for the grace" suggest that the singer is seeking something transcendent and meaningful in their life. The imagery of holding on tight during a breezy night suggests that the singer is seeking comfort and security, and finding it in the natural world.

Overall, "Landscape" is a powerful ode to the restorative power of nature. It suggests that in times of uncertainty and spiritual searching, we can find comfort and meaning in the beauty of the world around us.

Line by Line Meaning

The ice on the lake
The ice on the lake serves as a symbol for the end of something, the final phase. It is a physical representation of stagnation or a halt to movement and progression.

It's like you holy light the soul
The landscape, particularly the view from the hill, holds a power similar to that of a higher being that illuminates one's soul and brings them a sense of spiritual enlightenment and awe.

It's like you hold me tight at breezy night
The tranquility and peace provided by the landscape could be compared to the embrace of a loved one on a gentle, breezy night. It is a feeling of comfort and security amidst nature's beauty.

With a smile on the face
The singer is optimistic and hopeful, represented by a smiling face. They are ready to face new beginnings and await the grace that will come.

waiting for the grace / I'm waiting for the grace...
The singer is eagerly anticipating the grace that will come with the end of one phase and the beginning of another. They yearn for the positivity and goodness that will accompany this change.

But the nice view from the hill so stilly
Despite the anticipation for change, the singer finds beauty and peace in the landscape that surrounds them. The stillness of the view from the hill brings them comfort and serves as a reminder to simply appreciate the present moment.

I could only clutch my cross
The singer is faced with a challenging situation, represented by clutching their cross. They are bracing themselves for the end of one phase and the beginning of another, and the landscape serves as a source of comfort and strength amidst this uncertainty.

in the vinyl days
The reference to 'vinyl days' suggests a time in the past, which could represent a simpler, more carefree time. The landscape holds a nostalgic significance and serves as a reminder of a more idealistic, optimistic time.

With a smile on the face / I'm waiting for the grace
The repetition of this line emphasizes the singer's hopeful and eager attitude towards the future. They are ready for the grace that will come with the end of one phase and the beginning of another, and they approach it with a smile on their face.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kj

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