Orla Wren - The Blind Deaf Stone (2021)

Our first release of year 2021 sees the return of much beloved English musician Orla Wren. Recorded in, inspired and infused by his home in the wilds of the Scottish countryside, his first album in 5 years is entitled “The Blind Deaf Stone”, and is a paean to a certain pastoralism, and to the life of this somewhat secluded artist. What makes this record of particular interest is that it was made entirely with one monophonic synthesizer, an analog study in radical reductionism!

The four longform tracks are distinct excursions into a personal landscape of organic and broken melodic meanderings…the slapping spokes of a bicycle ridden through the tall grass, the swish of the walking stick, the buzz of the fly on the manure and the mysteriously subtle drone like chattering and burbling of the deepest countryside. Plaintive…melancholic…beatific…this is the loveliest of soundtracks to a simple life well lived away from the maddening crowd, and without regret.

As with most TRS releases, TRS096 is available in two distinct physical versions. This first very special edition of only 57 copies comes in the form of a double, 10” lathe cut record version, in modified, recycled 10” kraftboard, gatefold jackets. On the front and back of each of these heavyweight jackets are mounted uniquely different, 100 year old, beautifully printed duotone photographs of obviously much admired farm animals of the day…sheep, hogs, cattle and horses of various breeds. The cover and spine of each is hand stamped. On both sides of the inside of each jacket are hand holed sheets of quite rare, mid century Spanish cork wallpapers, each copy different. Strung by thread and hanging from the inside is a vintage “Views of Scotland” tobacco cards. Included in each is a uniquely different, antique 8”x10” floral print, which is self printed on the back with the credit info, hand stamped and numbered, and has an attached to it a singularly lovely, 1930’s pastoral photo from the British Isles. Within each copy, both of the two meticulously hand cut, 10”, clear lathe cut records come in heavyweight, vintage 78rpm record style, chipboard inner sleeves. Each record had a high quality printed label as well. Finally, each of these fat, heavy, elegant creatures comes in a custom, tight fitting outer poly sleeve.