If the name Tim Curran rings a bell, it might be because for the last two-plus decades he’s been a composer for film, TV and the web, and because of his association with Film Score Monthly and FSM Online; he was originally hired to take over for Lukas Kendall as managing editor in 2000. Curran, along with Jon and Al Kaplan, Jeff Bond and Joe Sikoryak, ran the magazine for years, producing it out of a little office in Culver City, CA. Then in 2006, Curran and Jon Kaplan took the magazine online, where it continues to flourish today.
As a composer, Curran has scored projects for Disney, Universal, Fox, Warner Bros. and more. Two of his major projects were scores for the silent films of John Ford and Frank Borzage, released in box sets by 20th Century Fox. His score for the comedy short, The Third Rule, starred Anthony Hopkins and was featured at the Tribeca Film Festival. His recent work features an emphasis on animation, with several animated series for abcmouse.com, as well as the independently produced animated series, “The Nine Lives of Claw.”
This album, “All New Mistakes,” takes things in a different direction. This is Curran’s first solo album of alt-pop songs, after years of writing, singing and producing in collaboration with others — in addition to his composition work. And while the album may be sonically far from the world of film music, Curran never gets completely away from its influence. The title track, “All New Mistakes,” features a trumpet solo by Wayne Bergeron — who has performed on hundreds of film scores in his storied career — reminiscent of Ennio Morricone’s spaghetti western scores, complete with mandolin, timpani, female chorus, tubular bells and french horns.
The songs on “All New Mistakes” are unique, with melodic hooks that stick with you, harmonies and chord changes that belie their “pop” category, and lyrics that are sincere, cleverly constructed and peppered with humor throughout.
Curran sings, and plays guitars, keyboards and percussion on “All New Mistakes.” Other collaborators include Mikael Jacobson (bass), Michael Partlow (drums) and Mike Murray (guitar solos).
1. Capistrano 3:33
2. Ways 3:09
3. Lovesick 3:02
4. Ghost 3:12
5. 17D 3:28
6. Little Windows 3:55
7. Trio 4:14
8. 12:03 3:36
9. Now You Know Me 3:17
10. All New Mistakes 4:23
11. Big Bad Man 3:08
TOTAL DISC TIME: 39:00