Dragon Ash – The Best of Dragon Ash with Changes Vol.1

1. For divers area
2. 天使ノロック
3. Ability → Normal
4. Cowboy Fuck!
5. Fever
6. Face to Face
7. Invitation (Buzz Mix)
8. Under Age’s Song (Album Mix)
9. Melancholy
10. 陽はまたのぼりくりかえす
11. I LOVE HIP HOP
12. Freedom of Expression
13. Drugs can’t kill teens
14. Let yourself go, Let myself go
15. Dark cherries
16. Viva la revolution

Random? Yes. But with the string of lacklustre releases lately (hence the lack of updates), I thought it was time to revisit some old favourites. And that’s where Dragon Ash comes in. I was first introduced to the band through a random selection of singles, and their unique mix of rock, punk, rap, and reggae not only made me a fan, but inspired me to expand my horizons music-wise.

This first instalment features songs from their debut to the album Viva la Revolution, which is precisely the range I was first exposed to. Thus, it was a real nostalgic throwback to hear songs like “Fever”, “Melancholy”, and “陽はまたのぼりくりかえす” again. These favourites are a wonderful blend of melodic rock and soft rap which, despite their repetitive nature, are absolutely brilliant. I mean, “陽はまたのぼりくりかえす” is a staggering 7 minutes, with an intro and outro of one minute each, but it’s simply amazing. The balance of rap and singing is just perfect, and the transition between the two flawless. Similarly, “Fever” draws you in with that near whistling before jumping into the rap. And I have to admit, I listen to the song almost solely for the beginning — that and the second verse, with its one slightly drawn out note which strangely makes all the difference.

But more than just a trip down memory lane, the album also provided me with a few new favourites, most notably, “Face to Face” and “Under Age’s Song (Album Mix)”. Both songs are slower, but the former gives off a more depressing vibe (with the exception of the tempo change three-quarters in) while the latter gives off a more optimistic one. The addition of female vocals in the album mix of “Under Age’s Song” makes an unbelievable difference, and Kenji’s voice is surprisingly harmonic.

So that’s The Best of Dragon Ash with Changes Vol.1. I’ve skimmed through Vol. 2, but it doesn’t quite float my boat. I suppose it’s because I’m more fond of their earlier work, from the pseudo-punk days. But with leadman Kenji having said that the band’s focus was always hip-hop, and that punk music was only a marketing ploy, hanging onto their old stuff is kind of like hanging onto Namie Amuro’s Euro-pop.

“陽はまたのぼりくりかえす”

“Fever” (Live)

“Under Age’s Song”

“Drugs can’t kill teens”

“Let yourself go, Let myself go”

CD Japan
YesAsia
Amazon JP
HMV JP