Podcast Summary: Jokermen Episode – “Teaser // The Beach Boys: SURF'S UP with Alexis Taylor — Side B”
Release Date: December 23, 2024
Host: Jokermen
Introduction
In this teaser episode of the Jokermen Podcast, hosts delve into the intricate dynamics of The Beach Boys, particularly focusing on the album SURF'S UP and its exploration of the band’s evolution post-Brian Wilson. The discussion centers around the contrasting visions within the band, Carl Wilson’s emerging leadership, and the introspective depth of Side B of the album.
Competing Visions Without Brian Wilson
The episode opens with Host 1 addressing the fragmented identity of The Beach Boys in Brian Wilson’s absence. He emphasizes the struggles the band faces in maintaining a cohesive musical direction without their central creative force.
Host 1 [00:00]: “It's competing visions for what the Beach Boys are, what they stand for, what they should sound like and what they should try to do on a record.”
He highlights that without Brian Wilson, the band members project their own interpretations of The Beach Boys' essence, leading to a mix of styles and occasional discordance.
Host 1 [00:00]: “Without that central figure to say, this is the vision without Brian Wilson there, right, you're inevitably going to get some parts of Visions of the Beach Boys of what they are on.”
The hosts discuss specific tracks like "Long Promise Road" and "Disney Girls," noting their acclaim and contrasting them with a lesser-received song that even Brian and Dennis disliked.
Host 1 [00:00]: “And every once in a while you're gonna get the one vision that is a vision that you don't necessarily want to see. And that is. That is certainly this song. To their credit. The rest of the band fucking hated this song. Dennis was, quote, thoroughly disgusted with it and Brian thought the song was, quote, too intense...”
This segment underscores the tensions and divergent creative directions within the band during this era.
Exploring Side B of SURF'S UP
Transitioning to Side B of SURF'S UP, the hosts introduce Carl Wilson's significant contributions, highlighting his role as a driving creative force in this part of the album.
Host 2 [00:48]: “That's great.”
Host 1 [00:48]: “…we can just flip the record, go to side B and starts off with maybe not quite as ecstatic, a high as Long Promise Road, but another just knockout tune from our boy Carl.”
Carl’s Leadership and Contributions
Carl Wilson emerges as a pivotal figure on Side B, with the hosts praising his musical direction and personal investment in the band’s evolution.
Host 2 [01:03]: “So this is a Carl number?”
Host 1 [01:05]: “Sure is.”
Host 2 [01:07]: “What was Carl up to? I mean, Cool Carl. That's something we need to talk about.”
The discussion shifts to Carl's growing leadership, contrasting with previous band dynamics where Mike Love held more sway.
Host 1 [01:16]: “He's going out there, man.”
Host 2 [01:17]: “Cool Mike has taken a demerit with the last track. But between Long Promise Road and Feel Flows, we've got Carl, like, tapping into some. Some heady stuff.”
"Feel Flows": A Deep Dive
The hosts and guests analyze "Feel Flows," lauding its poetic lyrics and sophisticated musical composition. Guest 1 offers a lyrical breakdown, highlighting the song's abstract and soulful qualities.
Guest 1 [01:33]: “Unfolding enveloping missiles of soul... Feel the whistle we flow.”
Host 1 brings attention to Carl's personal struggles and their impact on his artistry.
Host 1 [02:18]: “Carl was like. He, I think got sent to jail briefly for refusing to be drafted in 1968... management did what they could to cover it up... But Carl had something. There's poetry in him.”
Guest 2 adds depth to the analysis, describing the song's psychedelic yet subtle nature.
Guest 2 [02:51]: “Phil Flows to me sounds kind of psychedelic without being heavy handed about being psychedelic... It feels more... dreamlike as well. Is it?”
Host 2 expands on this, comparing Carl's approach to the more intense psychedelic sounds of the late '60s.
Host 2 [03:24]: “Yeah, it's a very sincere version of... it's a very first-time mushroom trip... rather than like the Jefferson Airplane type where it's like Alice in Wonderland.”
Carl’s Personal Struggles and Influence
The conversation delves deeper into Carl Wilson's personal life, particularly his brief incarceration for draft refusal, which significantly influenced his musical expression and the band's public image.
Host 1 [02:18]: “Carl was like...refusing to be drafted in 1968... downplayed by management... But Carl had something. There's poetry in him.”
This segment highlights how Carl's personal convictions and experiences infused his music with depth and authenticity, distinguishing his contributions from the rest of the band.
The Psychedelic Elements in Carl’s Music
The hosts and guests explore the subtle psychedelic influences in Carl's work, particularly in "Feel Flows," noting its atmospheric and layered soundscapes.
Guest 2 [05:07]: “It's also got this title feel Flows, which is such a kind of good title for the song in terms of it being emblematic of the sound of what he's describing...”
Host 1 draws parallels between the song’s lyrical content and classic psychedelic imagery, while also appreciating its mellow and introspective nature.
Host 1 [04:43]: “Yeah, I don't think we've mentioned it on the show yet, but Carl was like...”
Host 2 [04:55]: “Tambourine Man. Very much so.”
The discussion touches upon the lyrical and sonic qualities that make "Feel Flows" a standout track, blending poetic lyrics with a serene, flowing musical arrangement.
Host 1 [04:48]: “Never ending tablets of time.”
Host 2 [04:49]: “That's like Terence McKenna type stuff. But it's also a little bit like Tambourine Man.”
Conclusion and Insights
The episode wraps up with an appreciation of Carl Wilson’s artistic evolution and his ability to infuse The Beach Boys' music with profound emotional and spiritual resonance. The hosts express admiration for how Carl navigates personal and philosophical themes, contributing to a richer, more nuanced musical legacy for the band.
Guest 2 [05:53]: “It's all like this kind of softness and being embedded in something and also just trying to understand what. What journey he's on.”
This teaser sets the stage for a deeper exploration of The Beach Boys' SURF'S UP album, promising listeners an insightful journey into the band's post-Wilson era through the lens of Carl Wilson's transformative contributions.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Host 1 [00:00]: “It's competing visions for what the Beach Boys are, what they stand for...”
- Host 1 [02:18]: “Carl was like... sent to jail briefly for refusing to be drafted in 1968...”
- Guest 1 [01:33]: “Unfolding enveloping missiles of soul... Feel the whistle we flow.”
- Guest 2 [02:51]: “Phil Flows to me sounds kind of psychedelic without being heavy handed about being psychedelic...”
- Host 2 [04:55]: “Tambourine Man. Very much so.”
- Guest 2 [05:53]: “It's all like this kind of softness and being embedded in something...”
This detailed analysis in the teaser episode promises a comprehensive exploration of Carl Wilson's pivotal role in shaping The Beach Boys' legacy, especially through the SURF'S UP album's Side B. Listeners can look forward to an engaging discussion that blends musical critique with personal and historical contexts, offering both seasoned fans and newcomers valuable insights into the enduring spirit of The Beach Boys.