MP3: Samuraj Cities - All along the shoreline

It's amazing how little has changed between the demo version of Samuraj Cities' "All along the shoreline" (posted here in September '05) and the newer album version (posted today). The guitars still sound just as cheap and brittle as they always did, only now they're able to pile even more of 'em on top of eachother. That harsh, direct-to-tape tone is an integral part of what makes Samuraj Cities who they are and they wouldn't be nearly as good without the lo-fi DIY aesthetic. It's hard not to listen to this and think of that other "Shoreline" song from Broder Daniel - both involve heavy themes of isolation and finding your way in the world, though BD is far more agonizing and pessimistic compared to SC's philosophical ruminations. Or to take it further: Samuraj Cities ponders the possibilities of sailing up the coast while Broder Daniel is landlocked and raging at the sea. Is that relevant? I dunno, I just like to picture BD frontman Henrik Berggren on the beach in his beret, shaking his fist in the air.

Samuraj Cities - All along the shoreline