The album was recorded in 1996 and 1997. This is the only Wellwater Conspiracy album in which Ben Shepherd sings all of the songs. The album was released to general critical acclaim. Matt Diehl of Rolling Stone said, "Declaration of Conformity suggests that these Soundgarden expats have left the Seattle sound behind for trippy psychedelia that recalls such 1960s freak icons as Syd Barrett and 13th Floor Elevators. Declaration's tinny, fuzzed-out sonics decidedly evoke the Summer of Love."[2]