Kontiki (Deluxe 2CD Edition)

Cotton Mather | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 14, 2012)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Star Apple Kingdom
• ASIN: B006OT307G
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,150 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Camp Hill Rail Operator

2. Homefront Cameo

3. Spin My Wheels

4. My Before and After

5. Private Ruth

6. Vegetable Row

7. Aurora Bori Alice

8. Church of Wilson

9. Lily Dreams On

10. Password

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Homefront Cameo (4-Track)

2. Pine Box Builder No. 1

3. Camp Hill Rail Operator (Acoustic)

4. Little Star

5. Baby Freeze Queen No. 1

6. Altar Boy (Live To Adat)

7. Flying Annie's Kite

8. Innocent Street (Acoustic)

9. Spin My Wheels (Electric)

10. Church Of Wilson (4-Track)

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It's time to pass KONTIKI on to a new generation." --Noel Gallagher - OASIS

Product Description

Digitally remastered and expanded deluxe two CD edition of the critically lauded 1997 sophomore album from the Austin-based Power Pop band founded in the early 1990's by Robert Harrison. Includes a bonus 11 track CD. Features new artwork with extensive liner notes about the making of Kontiki and the history of Cotton Mather.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "And There Was Much Rejoicing Across the Land..." February 14, 2012

By armenianthunder

Format:Audio CD

In 1997, Cotton Mather, a rock and roll outfit of decidedly bookish fellows from Austin, made their second record in a house somewhere out in the Texas hill country. And like the famous adventurer's raft for which Kontiki was named, it was patched together with safety pins, gaffer tape, and a whole lotta love. And lo, there were Beatle-tastic harmonies aplenty, psychedelicious guitar riffs in abundance, and yea, this record did contain more hooks than an industrial meat-packing plant. But would the dulcet tones of such gems as "My Before and After," "Camp Hill Rail Operator" and "She's Only Cool" take over the airwaves and the frontal lobes of teenyboppers the world over? Alas: no. It was not to be...

But those in the know would speak of the record in hushed, reverential tones, and the secret wisdom of ages would pass from power-pop fan to power-pop fan, and the Kontiki legend grew.

Flash forward to 2011. Funded by legions of the faithful worldwide through a Kickstarter project, main man Robert Harrison is afforded the chance to re-birth this beautiful baby into the world complete with a lovingly designed package, a band history, recollections by those involved, and a second disc of related rarities, including demos and outtakes. And the rarities are illuminating, whether the acoustic versions of "Camp Hill..." and "Innocent Street," the rocking 4-track take on "Homefront Cameo," more fleshed-out or experimental versions of songs that would appear on their subsequent releases ("Pine Box Builder" and "Baby Freeze Queen") and especially the never-before-heard gems "Flying Annie's Kite" and "The Gold Gone Days," which in hindsight, would have sounded quite at home on the original release. As for the sound of the original album, it leaps out of the stereo and sounds even more vibrant now, which is no small accomplishment, given its lo-fi genesis. Certainly, CM fans know that there are other Kontiki-era artifacts that have trickled out over the years that have not been included here (the original studio recording of "Innocent Street"-one of their finest songs-and the Merseybeat-flavored demo of "Password") that would satisfy the completist's desire for having everything in one place, but that's the smallest of concerns; who are we, after all, to second-guess? And isn't a little mystery useful in keeping the mythology and magic alive?

What else is there to say about the original album that hasn't already been said, in the very purplest of prose? Not much, so I'll only say this: it's an absolutely essential record, finally given the care and attention it deserves, to ensure that it will continue to blow minds and caress ears.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece March 20, 2012

By Cazador

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

So I stumbled upon this treasure that I should have realized long ago. A few years ago I bought a double album by a band called Future Clouds & Radar. It was a quirky double album with some really great tunes. Really liked it at the time, but forgot about it. So I recently pulled it out again and started to do a little research. The Austin Texas band is mostly a vehicle for front man Robert Harrison. In an earlier life he was the front man for a relatively unknown 90's band; Cotton Mather. In that iteration they released a masterpiece titled "KonTiki". Turns out none other than Noel Gallagher loved this album and brought the band over to England to open up for Oasis (must have been a huge letdown for the audience when Gallagher & Co took the stage, in my opinion!). Anyway, I recently bought the re-issued "KonTiki" album with bonus disc, and it is simply fantastic. It's definitely one of those records that strike you as very good with the first listen, but really soon becomes completely infectious. Yeah, all the hype comparisons to Elvis Costello, Squeeze and Beatles are somewhat accurate, but there is much more to this material. (I might add that if a Beatles comparison is to be made, it would be Revolver era Beatles). A few non-starters are here, but the multiple really great tracks more than make up for it. For some reason, all this talent has pretty much been overlooked by the mainstream music world. The guy just hasn't been able to get much traction, which baffles me. Hopefully, this re-release will generate the excitement and enthusiasm it really desearves.....

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars yes this is a frickin masterpeice March 25, 2012

By johnnybgoode

Format:Audio CD

"drew" doesnt know what he is talking about. this CD is one of the best you never heard. if you love the beatles from revolver to abbey road (and everything in between), you will enjoy this CD. the 2nd CD of outtakes doesnt quite live up to the original, but still deserves 4 stars out of 5. the remastered sound is amazing -one of the best sounding CDs I have ever heard. well worth your hard earned $$.