(September 2025) Episode 682 is THE PEANUT BUTTER CONSPIRACY. Sometimes I think about repurposing the Project into a completist obsession to listen to every recording released between 1965-69. Doing an episode on The Peanut Butter Conspiracy serves that goal as well. They were a short-lived group from the L.A. scene that gets labelled psychedelic, although in the hippy/groovy California sense. I might call it sunshine pop with a fuzz guitar edge. With male and female vocal leads, they have a Mamas and the Papas sound, with a bit of Jefferson Airplane too. Their first two albums are perfect period pieces, as is having a three-word nonsense name.* Their third album, reflecting both personnel changes and 1968’s big shift in musical attitudes, is forgettable.
Favorite album: The Great Conspiracy
Favorite song: Living, Loving Life
Compared to expectations: ↑
Recommendation: The first two albums are an enjoyable dip into what’s-happenin’-now groovy tunes.
* Quicksilver Messenger Service, Strawberry Alarm Clock, The Chocolate Watchband, 13th Floor Elevators, etc.
Opus Project 