Jack Irons: “Dreamer’s Ball/Walnut” (2023) Vinyl Review

Jack Irons was the original drummer for Red Hot Chili Peppers, and then later played in Pearl Jam for several years and also briefly in The Wallflowers. In 2004, he released his first solo album, Attention Dimension, and followed it with several other albums and EPs. His latest album, Dreamer’s Ball/Walnut, is actually two EPs collected onto a single record, featuring original compositions. Often in music drums are used to support guitars or keyboards and vocals. Not so here. The drums are at the center, with synths accompanying them. This approach allows the drums the freedom to explore some different territory than is their usual domain, to get a little wild, and to drive the material.

Side A: Dreamer’s Ball

Dreamer’s Ball is an EP originally released in October 2022. It opens with “Race Against Everything,” the drum work immediately like a mad onslaught, an unrelenting force, many feet rushing forward. The synths then carry a sort of soothing element over the rush, like rays bathing the proceedings in a wash of light that shows but does not slow the onslaught. The drums continue in their movement that after a while seems to touch on the eternal. Perhaps this has been going on always. The synths fall out at one point, and the crackling, maddening rush continues, like crazed insects on amphetamines and driven by a quasi-religious fervor, a need beyond thought. The light suddenly rises above them, now seeming to welcome them in a wide celestial embrace, and that light eventually seems to absorb and assimilate the frantic creatures. We are taken to a somewhat darker land with “Seeing The Light From Underwater,” a place of danger, with an ominous sound. But from a certain angle, there is beauty, a beauty that can’t quite reach us, though affects us nonetheless, but on a level that is perhaps more internal. The beat here is different from the first tack, but still steady. Not frantic, but still unrelenting, and after a while we realize it is moving toward beauty. This track features some excellent drumming.

“A Wave Unknowingly Rises” has a different vibe. As it settles in, there is something both contemplative and curious in its sound. There is an awareness of some other nature, and an urge to meet it, to communicate. And it is all part of a natural course. That’s followed by “Compassion,” a delicious, strong and clear beat, like one that could lead to a great rock number, but instead concludes on its own after only half a minute. The EP concludes with “Left The Building,” which feels like it is already in progress as it begins. There is the sense of a factory, some repeated actions, partly in the distance, like we are overlooking the action from another level within its structure, while knowing it is near the end of the day. Before we reach the end, it feels we have become a part of it. And then the machine is shut off, engines cease their hum, and we are let go.

Side B: Walnut

Walnut is an EP that was released in July of this year. It opens with “Walnut One,” which begins with a mesmerizing groove and an exciting wash of sound. Then a steady pulse emerges, something for us to latch onto before the next wave of mania washes into the room and over us. We remain on our feet as the sound bubbles up around us, that great groove keeping us moving. And then it builds, until we suddenly find ourselves pounding on the walls, the ceiling, feeling like escape is paramount to our survival, our sanity. And the walls give away, and we all spill out. That’s followed by “Going Interstellar,” which begins with a good, fast beat, this engine powered by dancing. Here we are moving outward. There is a more of a sense of space here than on the previous track, of freedom, even hope and wonder. What will we find upon reaching our destination? And there seems no question but that we will get there, so enjoy the ride, as our very physical presence speeds through an area that is made more of light and thought and joy and curiosity. And then we are in “Walnut Two,” which begins much the way “Walnut One” did.  It feels like something is being heated, metal turning liquid. And yet we are unharmed. Have we learned to breathe this molten material? Or perhaps breathing is no longer necessary, and we simply swim through it until we reach an exit.

As on Dreamer’s Ball, there is one track on Walnut that is a short piece, dominated by a groove. This one is titled “Shortbread,” and it is a delicious beat, an exercise. This track fades out after a minute or so, and is followed by “Allusion.” Another strong groove, but here we are taken farther out again. Now we are accustomed to this travel, to these realms, perhaps even, at least partially, in control. And there is an excitement as we survey strange landscapes, eager to explore them, to meet whoever is waiting there for us, watching our approach. This is one of my personal favorites. The record concludes with “Eye In The Universe.” There is a steady movement, like a march that is observed, perhaps even looked kindly upon, as it is all seems to be unfolding according the wishes of whatever is doing the observing. Something was set in motion a long time ago, but its beauty is still apparent, still appreciated, still enjoyed.

Record Track List

Side A

1. Race Against Everything
2. Seeing The Light From Underwater
3. A Wave Unknowingly Rises
4. Compassion
5. Left The Building

Side B

1. Walnut One
2. Going Interstellar
3. Walnut Two
4. Shortbread
5. Allusion
6. Eye In The Universe

Dreamer’s Ball/Walnut was released on September 1, 2023 through Org Music.