Jokermen Podcast Summary: "Mike Love: The CELEBRATION Episode"

Release Date: May 5, 2025
Podcast Title: Jokermen
Hosts: Evan and Mike
Episode Title: Mike Love: The CELEBRATION Episode

Introduction to the CELEBRATION Project

In this episode of the Jokermen Podcast, hosts Evan and Mike delve deep into Mike Love's ambitious but controversial project, CELEBRATION, exploring its various facets, including the movie "Almost Summer," the soundtrack, the self-titled album "Celebration," and the ill-fated "Disco Celebration." The discussion provides a comprehensive analysis of Mike Love's attempt to carve out a solo niche outside the iconic Beach Boys legacy.

Exploring "Almost Summer"

Plot and Reception

Evan and Mike begin by dissecting the "Almost Summer" movie, highlighting its plot centered around a high-stakes student body election at Pacific High School. They draw parallels between the film and other teenage-centric movies like "Animal House," "Revenge of the Nerds," and later classics such as "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and "The Breakfast Club."

Evan [03:19]: "Almost Summer, it's got, like, 57 or 58, soon to pro. Maybe be 59 reviews on Letterboxd. It's not a lot."

Mike [12:25]: "I think the movie. I think it's not bad, honestly. I think the movie is way better than any of the music."

Despite its limited critical reception, the hosts acknowledge that "Almost Summer" holds a place as a historical curiosity, being one of the earliest entries in the youth genre film series.

Comparisons to Other Films

The episode draws comparisons between "Almost Summer" and other films, noting its wholesome yet slightly sinister vibe, contrasting it with more overtly problematic movies like "Revenge of the Nerds."

Evan [13:05]: "It's Animal House and then Meatballs coming after that."

The hosts appreciate Bruno Kirby's performance, likening his charm to characters from other beloved films.

Mike [21:35]: "He's having fun with it."

The "Celebration" Soundtrack and Album

Soundtrack Analysis

Moving on to the "Celebration" soundtrack, Evan and Mike commend certain tracks while criticizing others. They particularly mention:

• "Cruisin'it": Appreciated for capturing the essence of Southern California culture.

  Evan [32:26]: "The rest of this is pretty insipid."

• "Some Summer": A nod to Beach Boys' classics, albeit with a modern twist.

  Mike [33:39]: "It's, you know, it does sound like Some Some Summer, doesn't it?"

The Self-Titled "Celebration" Album

The hosts discuss the "Celebration" album, acknowledging its lack of availability on major streaming platforms and questioning its relevance.

Evan [36:03]: "There's not even a stream. This is not available on Spotify."

They critique the album's quality, particularly the reimagined covers of Beach Boys songs, noting a lack of creativity and over-reliance on past glories.

Mike [40:02]: "It feels totally obligatory. Whereas this feels like... I'm trying to do something. Can we make something happen here."

The Disaster of "Disco Celebration"

Critical Breakdown

The most vehement criticism is reserved for "Disco Celebration." Evan and Mike describe it as the "worst things" they've ever heard, lambasting its failed attempt to transform classic Beach Boys tunes into disco remixes.

Mike [57:08]: "Evan: I could barely listen to one of.
Mike: The worst things I've ever heard."

They particularly focus on the instrumental "California Girls," criticizing its slow tempo and incoherent arrangement.

Evan [58:24]: "Because this is not even a formulaic disco fide version."

Lack of Recognition and Impact

The hosts lament the album's obscurity, noting its absence from platforms like AllMusic and its minimal presence on Discogs and YouTube.

Mike [62:33]: "We're talking about Disco Celebration. That's it. A complete disaster."

They express bewilderment over the lack of scholarly attention or fan discourse surrounding the album, emphasizing its lack of musical merit.

Evan [63:04]: "I want to see that there's even some recognition that anybody besides us has ever talked about this."

Mike Love's Solo Ambitions vs. Beach Boys Legacy

Motivations Behind CELEBRATION

Evan and Mike explore Mike Love's motivations for embarking on the CELEBRATION project, suggesting a mix of commercial ambition and a desire to find individual success outside the family band dynamic.

Mike [43:05]: "Sometimes you can quit a group, but you can't quit your family very easily."

Reflections on Group Dynamics

The discussion turns to the internal struggles within the Beach Boys, particularly the challenges of maintaining a family unit amidst creative tensions.

Evan [55:08]: "The family Unit aspect of it is, is a kind of protective layer that, that they have."

They commend the group for keeping Brian Wilson in check, ensuring his continued presence and functionality within the band.

Mike [55:51]: "They are there to keep him from literally killing himself because they need him to stay alive so they can continue to operate as the Beach Boys."

Comparisons to Other Members' Solo Efforts

Comparisons are drawn between Mike Love's projects and other Beach Boys members' solo works, such as Dennis Wilson's "Pacific Ocean Blue," highlighting the varying degrees of success and artistic integrity.

Mike [42:58]: "And I think that that is becoming clearer and clearer."

The Legacy and Future of CELEBRATION

Limited Availability and Collector's Items

Evan and Mike note the scarcity of CELEBRATION's releases, particularly the "Celebration" album and "Disco Celebration," urging listeners interested in collector's items to seek them out.

Mike [52:19]: "But what it is happening, if anything, just like a historical curiosity or just, you know, kind of a piece of the story as opposed to being worth commentary and consideration in and of itself."

Potential for Future Reunions

While acknowledging the project's poor reception, the hosts speculate on the possibility of future CELEBRATION reunions, though they remain skeptical.

Evan [65:08]: "Disco Celebration gets zero Stars."

Concluding Thoughts

In wrapping up, Evan and Mike reflect on the CELEBRATION project's place within the broader Beach Boys narrative, emphasizing how individual endeavors like Mike Love's can sometimes underscore the strengths and weaknesses of the group as a whole.

Mike [67:52]: "Why are these guys the ones doing the Beach Boys podcast? Because they're the ones willing to sit down and listen to and talk about Disco Celebration."

They reaffirm their commitment to exploring every facet of the Beach Boys' legacy, regardless of the project's quality.

Notable Quotes

• Evan [03:27]: "I think it could be. I mean, I don't even think we've done a good job of explaining what we're talking about to each other."

• Mike [10:31]: "Celebration, folks. We're here today to talk about the movie Almost Summer, the soundtrack Celebration, the album by Celebration, and Disco Celebration, the other album by Celebration."

• Evan [25:20]: "He is an authentic presence. Darryl Darrell Fitzgerald."

• Mike [38:08]: "I didn't have a. You didn't like that it was Getting Hungry?"

• Evan [42:32]: "Just like watching this was kind of unexpectedly palatable because of maybe expectations being where they were going into it."

• Mike [43:05]: "Sometimes you can quit a group, but you can't quit your family very easily."

• Evan [64:09]: "You need to listen to this. To Disco Celebration sometimes."

Final Remarks

This episode of the Jokermen Podcast offers a candid and critical examination of Mike Love's CELEBRATION project, juxtaposing it against the enduring legacy of the Beach Boys. Through insightful discussion and sharp critique, Evan and Mike provide listeners with a nuanced perspective on the complexities of maintaining artistic relevance within a legendary band.

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