WELLWATER CONSPIRACY ‘DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY’ – VINYL REVIEW

16th September 2023 0 By Jon Deaux

The Wellwater Conspiracy album, Declaration Of Conformity reissue has been a long-awaited affair. It’s been fully remastered and has a completely different running order than the original 1997 release, which makes sense and a more cohesive listen.

I’m going to be brutally honest dear reader, I couldn’t stand this album 26 years ago. The main reason was, that it wasn’t what I was expecting from members of Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, an ex-member of Monster Magnet, and released on Mudhoney’s Steve Turners Super Electro label. It wasn’t grunge. So don’t expect what I expected 26 years ago or you’ll be totally disappointed like I was back in the day.

I. LOVE. THIS. ALBUM and the vinyl not only looks the business (red, white and black splatter, but it sounds great too.

Formed by Soundgarden/Pear Jam drummer Matt Cameron and ex-Monster Magnet guitarist John McBain, who were taking a well-earned hiatus from their day jobs this album also featured Soundgarden bassist Ben Shepherd. Declaration Of Conformity takes elements of The Monkees, Syd Barret, lo-fi and mixes a healthy dose of Queens Of The Stonage, this album is so far flung from the grunge bands these members are known for.

Speaking of Syd Barret, there’s a real dreamy/whimsical version of his Lucy Leave which fits in so well with the rest of this superb album.

There are so many fine moments on this record that it’s hard to pick a defining moment. Tracks such as Far Side Of Your Moon and the title track Declaration Of Conformity take Pink Floyds Obscured By Clouds era soundscapes and Wellwater Conspiracy adds their own twist.

Declaration Of Conformity as a whole album, has a soundtrack quality about it that wouldn’t be out of place accompanying a Grindhouse movie.