In the UK, however, Kontiki was a smash with Uncut Magazine giving the album five stars and calling it "music to smile yourself to death to." Mojo said the songs were "brought to life with daring vitality" and in its own five-star review, The Guardian called Kontiki "a bewildering, dizzy thrill."

With the spotlight shining on the album in their homeland, Oasis brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher discovered and fell in love with Kontiki. The Gallaghers started talking about the record in the press themselves, helping to spur on a cult following for the album among musicians all over the globe. A fellow Austin-ite and fan from the beginning, Spoon's Britt Daniel also began to spread the word, and over the years, the adoration of Kontiki continued to grow, leading band leader Robert Harrison to prepare Kontiki (Deluxe Edition).

Scheduled for release on February 14th, 2012 on Harrison's own Star Apple Kingdom label, the two-CD deluxe format will include the original album along with four-track demos, acoustic versions and songs that didn't make the final cut. Harrision funded the reissue via a Kickstarter campaign made successful by the many fans that Kontiki created since 1997. The campaign was undoubtedly also helped by the profound endorsements and damn funny presentation captured in this promo film seen here.