In December 2009, they released an album 0. as a limited release of 500 copies in Aomori. Since the album created a lot of buzz and they were flooded with inquiries, they eventually released the album nationwide as 0.6.
As the intense worldview of their lyrics grabbed the attention of listeners with quick ears, they made a major debut with 爆弾の作り方 (How to Make a Bomb) released from Sony Music Associated Records in June 2010.
“a band led by Hiromu Akita from Aomori”
It was the only information officially shared about the band, but they have expanded their fan base by word of mouth, mostly through the Internet, to such an extent that their latest album ねえママ あなたの言うとおり (Hey Mom, It's Just as You Say) went up to number 8 in the Oricon weekly album chart.
When performing live, they have a unique style where they play behind a screen that covers the whole stage and projects various images to go along with the music. Their shows have been much talked about, and some say it gives the audience a sense of watching a film and enjoying live music at the same time.
They are also known as their music videos with CG animation and have won a variety of awards worldwide.
In 2010, their music video for 夏を待っていました ("Waiting for the Summer") won the Excellence Award at the 14th Japan Media Arts Festival. amazarashi’s 夏を待っていました and サカナクション's アルクアラウンド were the only music videos that won the awards that year.
Furthermore, they have attracted interest throughout the world as they won prizes at Annecy International Animated Film Festival (originally a part of Cannes Film Festival) in France, SIGGRAPH ASIA 2011 (the world’s biggest computer graphics event), one dot zero 2011 (a digital animation festival in London), and more.
More info can be found on their official homepage at http://www.amazarashi.com.
Gekkou Machi Wo Yaku
amazarashi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
それを頼りに書く手紙
今生さらばと結ぶなら
別れの手紙のはずでした
色々あったの色々を
未練がましく箇条書き
私の歴史を知る旅路
乱射する空想は実感をかすり
あるいは誰かに命中し
都市では空が炎上し
冷笑じみた街に高笑い
逃亡の日々がはじまって
ついには追い詰められた僻地で
自由を振りかざした僕は
発砲された自由に殺される
閉じた目 冷めた目 触れた手
それだけ
この旅程 どれだけ この夢 仮初め
世界を燃やして 燃やして 燃やして
あまだれ 逃げ出せ 逃げ出せ 逃げ出せ
The first paragraph of the lyrics describes a scene where moonlight is leaking through a curtain. The singer relies on this moonlight to write a letter. The lyrics suggest that if the singer were to bid farewell in this lifetime, it was supposed to be a farewell letter. This initial setting sets the tone for the emotional journey that the song will take.
The second paragraph delves into the singer's thoughts and emotions. It mentions that there have been various experiences and attachments in their life, which are written down in a sentimental and list-like way. This could represent a reflection on the singer's past, a recounting of their personal history. The mention of viewing a pen as a weapon, specifically a firearm, suggests that writing has become a means of expression and release for the singer, perhaps a way to deal with the emotional weight they carry.
The third paragraph moves towards a more fantastical or metaphorical perspective. It describes a daydream-like state where the singer's thoughts are firing blindly, grazing reality but possibly hitting someone else. The imagery shifts to a city on fire, with the sky ablaze. The singer laughs mockingly in this cold and sarcastic city. It seems that the singer's escape from reality begins, leading them to days of evading capture until they are finally cornered in a remote location. Even when they brandish their freedom as a weapon, they are ultimately killed by the very concept of freedom that they were wielding.
The fourth paragraph focuses on experiences and sensations in a more concise manner. It mentions closed and cold eyes, touched hands, indicating that there have been moments of connection and intimacy in the singer's journey. However, these experiences are described as fleeting, temporary, and somewhat illusory. The lyrics go on to mention burning the world repeatedly, urging the singer to escape, emphasizing the urgency to flee from their current situation. The repeated phrase "nigedase" meaning "escape" implies a sense of desperation and the desire for freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
カーテンから漏れる月明り
Moonlight leaking through the curtains
それを頼りに書く手紙
Writing a letter relying on that light
今生さらばと結ぶなら
If this life is to end, then
別れの手紙のはずでした
It should have been a farewell letter
色々あったの色々を
Many things happened, and all those things
未練がましく箇条書き
Are written down with lingering attachments
私の歴史を知る旅路
A journey to uncover my own history
ペンを銃器に見立てては
Imagining the pen as a gun
乱射する空想は実感をかすり
The scattered fantasies graze against reality
あるいは誰かに命中し
Or perhaps hit someone
都市では空が炎上し
In the city, the sky is burning
冷笑じみた街に高笑い
Laughing loudly in this cynical town
逃亡の日々がはじまって
The days of escape have begun
ついには追い詰められた僻地で
Finally cornered in a remote place
自由を振りかざした僕は
I, who brandished my freedom
発砲された自由に殺される
Get killed by the freedom that was shot
閉じた目 冷めた目 触れた手
Closed eyes, indifferent eyes, touched hands
それだけ
That's all
この旅程 どれだけ この夢 仮初め
How much is this journey? How fleeting is this dream?
世界を燃やして 燃やして 燃やして
Burn, burn, burn the world
あまだれ 逃げ出せ 逃げ出せ 逃げ出せ
Fall, escape, escape, escape
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Hiromu Akita
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind