Wellwater Conspiracy, a little-known group with big-name members, has always promised and delivered unpredictability. Perhaps most unpredictable of all is the focus and coherency of their newly-released self-titled album; until now, Wellwater Conspiracy had always sounded like the side project it was.
Matt Cameron, the longtime drummer of Soundgarden and current member of Pearl Jam, fronts the group along with John McBain, the founding guitarist of Monster Magnet. The two discovered their mutual love of experimental home recording and joined forces in 1993 to form Wellwater Conspiracy, which released its first album in 1997.
In 1999 the group picked up its other member, keyboard artist Grant Eckman from the Walkabouts. Fans of Cameron and McBain's previous musical efforts may be disappointed with the decidedly un-grunge feel of their new creation, which appeals to a broader base of alternative rock listeners.
"I love doing this project because we have a real sense of freedom . . . We just do what we want to do," claims Cameron in the press release. The new 11-track album certainly does cover a lot of ground, from the Kraftwerk-sounding electronics and drum machines of "Rebirth" and "Dresden Overture" to a cover of Thunderclap Newman's 1969 hit, "Something in the Air," to the garage rock of "Wimple Witch" and "Night Sky." Only one track, "Sullen Glacier," sounds like it could be from a Monster Magnet album, with its heavier blends of guitars and drums.
The group owes a profound debt to the psychedelic, trippy music of the 1960s, alathe-Zombies. They named their first track, "Wimple Witch," after a rock band from that decade, and they named their group and this album after a hippie conspiracy story. Allegedly, a free-spirited man put LSD in Minnesota's drinking water in the 1970s; while this tale is recognized as an urban legend, it is a fitting launching pad for Wellwater Conspiracy's music.
"Galaxy" is a pumping, lo-fi song halfway between the Kinks and Elliott Smith. In this track, as well as "Sea Miner," which was almost cut from the final version of the album, the group masterfully balances echoing vocals with drums and guitars. They are probably the furthest deviation from the group's traditional sound, but the pieces work very well. Unfortunately, their other attempt at jazzy vocals in "My Darker Bongo" is not as successful; the odd combination of beats, singing and instrumental riffs sounds disjointed rather than artistic.
There is, somewhat surprisingly, a real lack of anger in this band. "I think Bugs Bunny would dig us," says Cameron. While the group's appeal to the rodent population is still in question, people are finally starting to take notice of their work. The lyrics still need some work, but luckily most of the band's listeners are more interested in hearing pulsating guitars and drums than crooning vocals.
Now the question is how much effort Cameron and McBain are willing to put into the group. Cameron is still touring and recording with Pearl Jam and spending much of his free time with his wife and two children. McBain is working in a music store and developing pieces for his solo album on the side. Neither wants Wellwater Conspiracy to become their main band, but neither wants it to end either. This album will draw new listeners to the group, but if the artists want to keep these new followers, they will have to stay focused.
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