By Jim Rowland
Formed by Monster Magnet’s John McBain and Soundgarden’s Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd in 1993, Wellwater Conspiracy released their debut album ‘Declaration of Conformity’ in 1997, originally issued on Mudhoney’s Steve Turners Super Electro label. The album was met with critical acclaim upon its release, but has been hard to find in more recent years. Now it gets a fresh lick of paint with God Unknown Records welcoming the album back into print.
‘Declaration Of Conformity’ is a loving homage to the beginnings of psychedelic rock and clearly a labour of love for the musicians that made it. Think 1966/1967 and the likes of Syd Barrett’s early Pink Floyd mixed with the greats of the American psychedelic garage rock scene of that time like 13th Floor Elevators, The Seeds and many of the bands that featured on the infamous Nuggets/Pebbles compilations. This is where ’60s pop took a psychedelic twist and started to break a few boundaries before heavy rock came along.
The likes of ‘Sleeveless’, ‘You Do You’ and ‘Trowerchord’ are freaked out, fuzzed-up nuggets of highly authentic heavy pop-psyche with a close attention to detail with the slightly tinny production sound of the time. There are softer moments such as on the more acoustic flavoured ‘Green Undertow’, plus more pure ’60s pop-oriented moments in the vein of The Beatles or The Monkees like ‘I Love You Everyday’.
It all adds up to a very authentic groovy experience, and it’s not hard to see why this album has gained a revered reputation.
Highly deserving of the reissue treatment, ‘Declaration of Conformity’ is released tomorrow (Friday 22 September) in a remastered vinyl pressing with extra tracks and new artwork, plus all digital platforms.
- All content © Über Rock. Not to be reproduced in part or in whole without the express written permission of Über Rock.