Although I don’t follow the world of “instrumental rock” as fervently as I did in my middle school days (Ibanez is still my weapon of choice), when a staple like Andy Timmons releases a new album, I take note. His last album, 2022’s Electric Truth, quickly became a favorite of the year, and for good reason. Not one to be constrained by any particular genre or label, Electric Truth saw the accomplished hard rock/shred guitarist veer off into the unpredictable worlds of blues and jazz rock, and to great success at that. I would’ve been more than fine if Timmons’ latest album, Recovery, was Electric Truth Part II, but alas, a master musician such as himself never repeats the same album twice.
Those who prefer their guitar albums on the hard rocking, energetic, and shred-tastic side of the spectrum will be pleased to know that Recovery is a return to the sound and approach that made Timmons a household name amongst six-string circles. While it’s not a hard rock album through and through (in the textbook sense of the term), it definitely rocks harder than its predecessor, and balances fiery shows of instrumental force with flavorful outliers, the latter of which occasionally channels the finesse of said predecessor. So for the sake of this affair, we’ll call it a hard rock album in the “instrumental rock” sense of the term.
After a brief delicate intro in the form of “Elegy for Jeff”, a tribute to the fallen legend Jeff Beck, Timmons and company get down to business, tearing it up with the muscular title track. With its gusto and force, “Recovery” recalls the spontaneity of Mk. II Purple amidst an onstage jam, which is further enforced by Timmons’ Blackmore-esque guitar melodies and soloing. “Love > Hate” continues the rampage, starting off humble and unassuming before picking up the pace drastically. The same can be said for “Between Brothers”, with its speed metal drumming and face-melting guitar solos.
When Timmons and his band aren’t tearing it up like the glory days of “shred” guitar, they throw in some much welcomed palette cleanses that do more than merely change the pace of the album; they add to its character. Exotically jazzy cuts like “Where Did You Go?” and “Lost in This World” definitely give off Electric Truth vibes, while “Why Must It Be So?” could’ve very well landed on Top 40 radio circa 1970 had a set of lyrics and a Motown singer been thrown on top. The honor of choice cut goes to “It Doesn’t Mean Anything”, which boasts the swagger and stomp of prime ZZ Top. Melodic break aside, this rowdy boogie banger gets my blood boiling in the best way possible.
Like I said in the intro paragraph, I’m rather out of the loop when it comes to instrumental rock/shred/guitar albums these days, but I’d be amazed if another album within this niche comes close to the originality and firepower of Recovery. Even after all these years, Timmons manages to balance flashy musicianship with undeniable songwriting chops, all without ever coming off as derivative or contrived. Bravo maestro Andy, bravo!
8 out of 10
Label: Timstone Music
Genre: Hard Rock
For fans of: Joe Satriani, Gary Moore, Deep Purple
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