Andy Timmons
By Mike O’Cull
Guitar star Andy Timmons shows up big and gives us all the voltage he’s got on his new solo album Electric Truth. Scheduled to be released April 1st, 2022, the set is Timmons’ eighth record under his own name. It’s another epic, highly individualized effort that finds the perfect balance between Timmons’ world-class rock and funk chops and his natural ability to compose listenable music.
Producer Josh Smith brought Andy into his private California studio with a hot-handed tracking band consisting of drummer Lemar Carter (Joss Stone, Raphael Saadiq), bassist Travis Carlton (Larry Carlton, Robben Ford), keyboardist Deron Johnson (Miles Davis, Stanley Clarke, Seal), and vocalist Corry Pertile. Smith, himself, even jumped in on one cut. As you might expect, this muscled-up crew put the heat down live when the red light came on and it’s beyond a treat to listen to it all happen.
Andy Timmons is a player’s player who has decades of meaningful success in the music business. He began life in the late-80s glam rock band Danger Danger, touring the world, selling a million albums, and having two Number One videos on MTV, back when that meant something. He left DD to become a solo artist and also spent many years as Olivia Newton-John’s musical director and guitarist. He has done recording sessions with the likes of Kip Winger, Paula Abdul, Paul Stanley, and Simon Phillips, and played live with other guitar heroes including Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Steve Morse, Mike Stern, Ace Frehley, Ted Nugent, and Pierre Bensusan. Timmons has also contributed to uncounted jingles and commercials and became a valued and sought-after clinician for Ibanez Guitars. He’s among the finest contemporary musicians on any instrument and a new Timmons record is always worth celebrating.
Timmons goes hard from the jump on Electric Truth, kicking it off with the slippery, double-stop funk intro riff of the first cut/single “EWF.” AT plays it greasier than a cheap chicken sandwich before leading the tune into a smooth and memorable head section. The band behind him grooves with a profound grace few groups ever achieve and provides Timmons with the support he needs to build the arrangement into a kinetic showcase. “EWF” was originally inspired by renowned guitarist Al McKay of Earth, Wind and Fire but Timmons takes the song well into his own territory.
“Apocryphal” is a soaring, melodic rock song that displays Timmons’ knack for phrasing and developing ideas without resorting to flailing torrents of notes. He keeps every line he plays in the pocket here and creates an unbreakable vibe full of the best kind of tension. His tone is sweet and full and his often-overlooked rhythm guitar skills do much to lock the track down. Don’t let the tight ending catch you by surprise.
The ballad “When Words Fail” exhibits Timmons’ more delicate and soulful side, which is just as cool as his louder material. His clean tone is to die for, as are his licks. By the time he has built up the song’s intensity and starts ripping, you’ll have your hands in the air swaying back and forth. His emotions on this one are overwhelming and will carry you miles away from where you are right now.
Electric Truth is packed full of highlights and exceptional performances. Cuts like “Shuggie” and “One Last Time” make the back half of the record just as compelling as its start and prove there’s no limit to Timmons’ compositional vision. Andy Timmons is a gigantic talent who becomes more impressive with each new release. Wrap your ears around these tracks and see for yourself.
Pre-order Electric Truth here.
Listen to “E.W.F”
Leave A Comment