Today, GuitarWorld.com presents the exclusive premiere of “Ascension,” a driving—and dangerously catchy—new song by Andy Timmons Band. The song is from their new album, Theme from a Perfect World, which will be released this Friday, September 30, via the band's own label, Timstone Records.
The album, which was produced by Timmons and his longtime bassist, Mike Daane, features 10 new melody-based guitar instrumentals that Timmons hopes will strike an emotional chord with every listener.
“I’m really proud of these songs,” Timmons says. “Some of them don’t even have a guitar solo per se, which is kind of unusual for an instrumental guitar record, but that underscores the importance of the idea that a good song has to be there right from the start. It has to be something that people identify with and find themselves wanting to listen to over and over.”
In addition to Daane on bass, Theme from a Perfect World features Rob Avsharian on drums and original Andy Timmons Band drummer Mike Marine, who plays on five tracks.
“I think we’re just scratching the surface, as far as tapping into the music’s emotional content goes,” says Timmons of the vibe he and his bandmates strove to achieve on the new record. “My playing and musical tastes have changed or matured in some way over the years, and here, we’re trying to be impactful emotionally and certainly melodically.”
ANDY TIMMONS BAND ON TOUR With Travis Larson Band unless indicated otherwise:Sat 10/1 Dallas, TX Granada Theater (headlining) Wed 10/5 Memphis, TN Rock House Live Thu 10/6 Nashville, TN Douglas Corner Café Sat 10/8 Charlotte, NC The Rabbit Hole Sun 10/9 Raleigh, NC The Pour House Music Hall Tue 10/11 Charleston, WV The Empty Glass Wed 10/12 Cincinnati, OH The Mad Frog Thu 10/13 Indianapolis, IN Radio Radio Fri 10/14 Detroit, MI The Token Lounge Sat 10/15 Chicago, IL Reggie’s Live Sun 10/16 Columbus, OH Rhumba Café Tue 10/18 Akron, OH Musica Wed 10/19 Buffalo, NY Nietzche’s Thu 10/20 Rochester, NY The Montage Music Hall Fri 10/21 Marlboro, NY The Falcon Sat 10/22 Philadelphia, PA The Voltage Lounge Sun 10/23 New York, NY Iridium Jazz Club (headlining) Mon 10/24 New York, NY Iridium Jazz Club (headlining)
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Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.
