The Sound Awake Top 10: 2009
Oppressed by the Line’s “Kiku” was number 5 in The Sound Awake’s Top 10 of 2009.See the full list here
2009. a chaotisch und charmant melodic retrospective
Chaotisch und Charmant have named “One Thousand Red Stars” from Kiku by Oppressed by the Line as number 43 on it’s list of top 50 songs of 2009.Read the article
Chaotisch und Charmant’s: 2009. the 40 albums of the year
Chaotisch und Charmant named Kiku by Oppressed by the Line as number 15 on it’s list of top 40 albums of the year.Read the article
Kiku reviewed by Space City Rock
Space City Rock review Oppressed by the Line’s latest “Kiku”.My personal favorite, though, has to be “Paper Cranes” — I can’t help but dig the steadily-building beats and vocals that sound like they’re being broadcast from inside the airlock of a space station somewhere high above the planet (complete with the cool little electronic beep that precedes Thompson’s vocal lines). Once the guitars switch on, covering the whole thing with a woolly blanket of fuzzed-out melodic noise reverently swiped from Kevin Shields, I’m fully sold. Majestic and awesome, with all the open-mouthed wonderment you should feel at discovering a new place for yourself.
Read the full review
The Silent Ballet on “Oppressed by the Line – Kiku”
The Silent Ballet post their thoughts on the newest Oppressed by the Line record, “Kiku”.A fictional account of an album’s creation:
The artist sits silently among stacks of novella and memorabilia in a silent room. Very little light is present in the room save that given off by a few weak bulbs placed in corners. His movements are slow and careful as he reaches for a knob half hidden underneath a sheaf of papers. Suddenly the room seems to come alive in spite of itself: life despite dust. A chorus of dulcimers dance atop liquid xylophone strikes. The artist manipulates another creaky knob and the addictive introduction begins filling with other sounds like an opened dam. Moved by his own creation of dub drums and Utopian organs, he begins repeating a mantra into an echo chamber repeatedly, “Do you know how far I’ve come to be with you? Clarity escapes me.” The layering of elements is so pleasant it is repeated several times; the artist can’t help being pleased with its beauty.
Read the full review
Kiku gets props from Coast is Clear
Kiku gets props from a German indie-pop blog, Coast is Clear. The translation below is terrible, and doesn’t really make much sense. Also, while I’m good friends with Ben and Rob from Epic 45, they didn’t actually have anything to do with the production of this record. If that’s even what it’s saying….? A proper translation would be welcome, any volunteers?:[begin awful auto-translation]
Jon Thompson from Texas has a very obvious penchant for light, floating arrangements, sound landscapes, both ambient as well as comforting Shoegazefreunden showers on the back should be chasing. The project has its Oppressed by the Line with skin and hair prescribed. On AC30 appeared a while ago his debut EP “The cause of the color” and the “soft focus” followed, from the 2nd June, the new album “Kiku” on the shelves (produced by people from the Epic45 environment) and waits for listeners who like to leave this Dreampopgefilde away. And who would not?
[end awful auto-translation]
Read the full review
“Oppressed by the Line – Kiku” is this music?
Is this music ponders the influence of travel on music while reviewing the newest Oppressed by the Line disc:This is an interesting one. Before I started reviewing music, I didn’t realise the full extent of travelling on music. I’ve since reviewed some CDs based on the premise of journeying, this time through Japan. I immediately think of ‘Lost In Translation’ (ergot, Scarlett Johansson, so thanks!), of Tokyo landscapes, train journeys past rice fields and other stuff and I think I’m in the right territory.
Read the full review
Oppressed by the Line’s Kiku reviewed by Albatross_2/Stereoworld.gr
This review will apear in the Greek language publication Stereoworld.gr, but you can read the English language version @ Albatross_2:As I read in the press release Thompson inspired Kiku by lovely sunsets, mountainous landscapes and city lights while on holiday in Japan. His experience in the Land of the Rising Sun is depicted in the opener Mountain Mist where a subtle Taiko drum beat and colorful xylophone ringings give way to warm organic melodies and glitchy sound effects. Sunset from the 16th Floor is a two minute instrumental piece of blissed-out ambience that nicely unrolls the carpet for the pop gem that is Paper Cranes. Displaying a nostalgic summery feeling Paper Cranes shines and sparkles with its joyful harmonies and a catchy chorus before ending up into a haze of swirling guitars. Imagine Field Mice meeting My Bloody Valentine, this track is dangerously infectious. Elsewhere Thompson’s echoed vocals add a spacey feel to the Shoegaze-laden synths of One Thousands Red Stars while the up tempo beats and textured electronic noises of Shinkansen find him venturing into dance territory.
Read the full preview
Oppressed by the Line’s Kiku reviewed by Leonard’s Lair
In the first review of the new Oppressed by the Line, Leonard’s Lair had some kind words to say about the disc.Fresh from last year’s well-received ‘Soft Focus’ album, Oppressed By The Line (or Jon Thompson to give him his real name) has wasted little time in releasing the follow-up as well as managing his own Drifting Falling label. For his latest venture, Thompson used an excursion to Japan as the inspiration for the songs. ‘Kiku’ is the result and it’s a nocturnal delight expressed via the medium of shoegaze and electronica.
Read the full review
Video, Track Previews, Store Updates & Pre-orders!!
We’ve updated the Drifting Falling Store to include the pre-order of two forth coming releases that we’re very excited about.Gareth Dickson – Collected Recordings
Oppressed by the Line – Kiku
We’ve also been quietly adding track previews to the store. There are still a couple of albums left to do, but we’ve made huge progress, so check out the store, have a listen, and get stuck in.
Finally, to wet your appetite, check the a video for Shinkansen (track 5) from the forthcoming Oppressed by the Line disc below: