Wil Bolton – Quarry Bank

BOLTON, WIL Quarry Bank (Time Released Sound) cd-r + hand sewn book + printed canvas bag 45.00
"Release number ten from local label Time Released Sound, a one man operation that produces some of THEE most extravagantly packaged micro releases we have ever laid eyes on, with every element of every release meticulously assembled by hand, or built, or drawn, or collaged, or whatever it takes to realize these miniature works of art. Which is precisely what these are, they are records obviously, and the music is fantastic, but that steep price tag is because this music is paired with the perfect packaging, that both represent the sounds within, the unique and ephemeral nature of sound and of music, and these works of art offer a visual analogue to the music, thematically linked in a way that's not always super obvious.
Needless to say, every release is fantastic, sonically, visually and aesthetically, and we're lucky to even get any of these considering how ultra limited they are.
Which brings us to this, the latest piece of musical art from Time Released Sound, which comes to us from musician / field recordist Will Bolton, who here indulges in his interest in the industrial revolution in the UK, by setting his miniature epics in the Quarry Bank Mill, one of the largest and most important textile mills in the UK, and is again an actual functioning mill. Bolton made repeated trips to the mill to capture the sounds of manufacture, of looms and machines, all manner of industrial whir and clatter, rumble and hum, around which he weaves lush and lovely drones and drifty bits of soft focus psychedelic folk. We're reminded a bit of Rameses III, a sort of pastoral folk, but performed on the floor of some old functioning factory.
Little bits of acoustic guitar shimmer, shards of melodic filigree, looped and fragmented, layered and woven into the sounds of machinery, Bolton's own drones deftly blurred into those of the mill, until it's impossible to tell what is field recording and what is music, until the music gradually fades leaving just the sound of the mill, which is surprisingly musical on its own. A deft application of effects, and of manipulate samples, sound reversed and layered, truncated and stretched out, creating these darkly delicate lullabies, rife with music box tinkles and folky flutter, laid out in dreamlike swells, and draped over the sounds of that aged mill. So lovely.
And as always, the packaging is top notch, a printed, hand distressed, 6" square cloth bag, made from raw unfinished cotton, at the actual Quarry Bank Mill, there's also a hand distressed, printed and numbered tag, while inside, the disc is in a full color digipak, and is accompanied by a hand worked and sewn textured paper booklet, with liner notes, as well as images from and photos of the mill. So fantastic, and SO LIMITED. JUST 100 COPIES. We have a dozen and will most likely not be able to get more."

Andee at Aquarius Records

"Here’s another lush CD on the Time Released Sound label!! These things are about the most amazingly packaged things you’ll ever see! There’s 2 editions o’ this one...a standard CD version or a mega limited (100 only) CD in a hand stitched bag (built with fabrics and thread made at the mill) with tags and what-nots and sitting inside the bag along the CD is a hand assembled book of amazingness. It looks brilliant!! Musically Wil explores his love of the industrial revolution and the textile industry conveyed by the magic of sound. You get some nice pastoral sounding electronica not a million miles away from the likes of the recent Epic 45 side projects (El Heath, Charles Vaughan & Toy Library). It’s gorgeous too...atmospheric drones and acoustic guitar are accompanied by samples of machinery (amongst other things) to create a unique sounding album drenched in emotional hiss and fuzz. This could be my new favourite thing on the label. Excellent indeed!! Fans of the electro acoustic stylings of the 12K label should get on the bus as well!!"

Phil at Norman Records....