Sonic Jihad (Snake River Conspiracy album)


Sonic Jihad is Snake River Conspiracy's only full-length album, released in 2000. It includes three cover songs: T-Ride's "You and Your Friend", The Cure's "Lovesong" and The Smiths' "How Soon Is Now." The album garnered mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised the album's lyrics and singer Tobey Torres's vocals. Three singles were released from the album: "Vulcan", "How Soon is Now" and "Breed". The latter two charted in the US.
The album has a Parental Advisory label for obscenity and mature themes.

Use in media

"Breed" is used in the 2001 film Valentine during the end credits. The "Prince Quick Mix's Cracker Beat Pass Mix" of "How Soon Is Now" was included on the American Eagle Outfitters compilation Summer 9ine.

Critical reception

The album received mixed reviews from music critics. Allmusics William Ruhlmann likened Snake River Conspiracy to the rock group Garbage and Nine Inch Nails, but felt that, "Their sound may be too hard for pop fans and too soft for rock fans," which lead him to giving the album 3 out of 5 stars. Eden Miller, writing for PopMatters, was more positive, stating that, "Anger has never been so much fun or so approachable," and praising the group's "strong personality". Drowned In Sounds review, written by Kate Price, was similarly positive, awarding the album 9 out of 10 and stating that the album, "Is a journey, lyrically and musically, through human emotions and represents... the triumph of passion over technology."

Track listing

  1. Breed
  2. Casualty
  3. You and Your Friend
  4. Lovesong *
  5. Act Your Age
  6. More Than Love
  7. Strangled
  8. Oh Well
  9. Somebody Hates You
  10. Vulcan
  11. How Soon is Now?
* Although the 3:56 version of "Lovesong" is included on the album, a full-length version also exists.

Commercial performance

Although the album itself was relatively unsuccessful, three singles were released, two of which charted. The first single, "Vulcan", failed to reach any chart. The next single, however, "How Soon Is Now", performed well in the United States, where it reached #38 on the Alternative chart and #15 on the Dance Club Songs chart; the song also entered the UK Singles Chart, at number 83. The third single, "Breed", reached #37 on the Dance Club Songs chart.

Charts