Released last year, Buck Curran’s The Long Distance is an album of deeply introspective analog synthesizer music that evokes the hauntingly atmospheric soundtracks of Ridley Scott’s epics and the mesmerizing sonic landscapes crafted by Popol Vuh.
While the track “Prometheus” stands apart, Curran says the album’s essence was birthed in a single, transformative 18-hour session from 9 a.m. on March 24th to 2 a.m. on March 25th.
Guitarist and songwriter Buck Curran is best known for his work with the alt-folk duo Arborea. Since 2005, Buck has traversed the globe as one half of Arborea, a duo celebrated for their five albums and contributions to two compilations: Leaves of Life—a benefit for the World Food Program, and We Are All One, In the Sun—a tribute to the legendary Robbie Basho.
Curran’s The Long Distance has themes that are deeply personal and richly evocative. Tracks like “May Morning” reflect the beauty of his Scottish-Irish heritage, while “Quang Tri Province” pays tribute to the bravery of his father, uncles, and other family members who served in the Vietnam War.
“Hazel Park” captures the essence of his childhood in Detroit, and the poignant “Florence” is a heartfelt remembrance of his grandmother, who passed away too soon during his teenage years.
Overall, The Long Distance consists of 19 tracks that are all on the shorter end. As the album cover implies, the tracks mainly consist of excellent ambient instrumental music that feels like it would fit perfectly on a sci-fi film soundtrack.
The Long Distance emerges as a profoundly personal and evocative work. Each track is a chapter in Buck Curran’s sonic autobiography. The album’s blend of analog synthesizers and cinematic soundscapes pays homage to the thematic depth of Ridley Scott and Popol Vuh and transports listeners to a realm where personal memories and universal emotions intersect.
Check out The Long Distance by Buck Curran on Bandcamp here.
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