Jack Irons: Press

Jack Irons' status as an alternative rock prime mover can't be argued. With onetime roles in both Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam, he watched the music develop, expand, and change from the perch of a drum stool. That said, Attention Dimension has little to do with his past. Dabbled in, worked on, and conceived of over a period of years -- while Irons was still ironing out the insecurities and static in his soul -- Dimension is an extended mood piece of soft gestures and pattering percussion. The drummer details his array in the liners; it includes "assorted bells, bell tree, big bass drum," "marimba, shakers, slap pipes," "and the whole kit and kaboodle." And this is true. From the gentle keen of opener "Jackie Groove" through "Hearing It Doubled"'s acoustic guitar/smattering snare hippie funk, nothing on Attention Dimension sounds like a traditional rock album, but it nevertheless is. Old pal Eddie Vedder contributes vocals to a crazy, underwater version of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond"; it sounds like Pink Floyd performed by precogs. Other highlights of the album include "Dunes," which seems to have a gamelan quality about it, and "Water Song," an epic 12-plus minutes of consistently developing sound. Flea contributes a slippery, elastic bassline, Stone Gossard's guitar is a hand-holding friend, and Irons' consistent drum stutter is right out of mood-elevation hour. Let's emphasize again this album's utter lack of funky monk posturing or Ten-era sleeveless flannel wearing. For sure, Attention Dimension is closer at times to Keith Jarrett or Mickey Hart. But it's that rare thing in rock and, it proves, something that should probably be heard more often. There's no frontman hooting here, no lead guitar prima donna drama. Instead, Attention Dimension is the drummer's chance to be in the bright white klieg light. Give him a chance, will ya?

Playing everything from marimba to timpani to synth, former Pearl Jam/Chili Peppers drummer Jack Irons has created a remarkably individualistic statement of intent that is anything but " a drummer's album." Drawing on Eastern, African tribal, electronic, and rock music, Irons crosses cultures with a knowing hand and such skill that Attention Dimension sounds like the inspired debut of some musical wunderkind, not the effort of a grizzled veteran. Irons' drumming is intricate and multifaceted, whether he's playing a drum corps cadence or a contrapuntal polyrhythmic tribal pattern. But it's his deeply layered and swirling compositions that stick with you.

Music: An exploration of sound and rhythm that transcends several genres while avoiding the worst excesses of a bunch of them. Attention Dimension is equal parts African percussion, synth-driven worldbeat and wacky brujo rock. On tunes like "Suluhiana" (a Swahili verb meaning "becoming adjusted to each other") Irons mixes Buddist chants, '70s fuzz and hand percussion.
Drumming: The record was recorded over five years, which gave Irons time to try a lot of drums. On "Dunes" he conjures desert sands with various finger and hand percussion. "Watersong " is similarly spacey and spiritual with layered electronic and acoustic percussion. Irons has a great way of keeping rhythms from feeling too structured as he plays around the beat on tunes, like "Breaking Sea." The centerpiece is "Underwater Circus Music," a 14-minute opus where Irons handles drums, horns, synths - the works.
Verdict: The Pearl Jam vet could segue nicely into a composing career.

Former Red Hot Chili Pepper and Pearl Jam drummer Jack Irons knew who to call when he got around to recording his first solo record. Attention Dimension features prominent guest spots from RHCP's Flea, Pearl Jam's Jeff Ament, Les Claypool, and Jack himself on bass and keyboard bass. With exotic beats and layers of keyboards, each player roams in fresh fields far removed from his respective band's styles. Highlights include Claypool's immediately identifiable presence on a cover of Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" and Flea's sparse groove and emotive bends on "Water Song."

Attention Dimension is the debut solo release of Jack Irons, founding member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam drummer from 1994-1998. The album is largely instrumental, with psychedelic drumscapes that recall African tribal music throughout. Keys or synths are provided by Natasha Shneider or Jack on nearly every cut. A charming cover of Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" features Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder and Primus bassist Les Claypool. Chili Peppers bassist Flea appears on two original tracks. The overall feel is meditative but energetic, and the production is excellent right down to the cover art.

Jack Irons formerly of Pearl Jam and The Red Hot Chili Peppers is also known as the drummer for Eleven but what most don’t know is that he’s also a solo artist. Well no problem bro, he’s here with his solo debut “Attention Dimension” that will certainly have you’re undivided attention in no time. Also featured on the album is performances by Les Claypool (Primus, Sausage), Eddie Vedder’s vocals on a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament all of Pearl Jam fame, Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), and Eleven’s Natasha Shneider and Alain Johannes. Groovy and with a wide array of eclectic sounds and influences, Jack Irons has mustered forth an album that easily tackles head-on most every nuance in the creative universe of music.