Sonic Jihad is the debut album by Snake River Conspiracy, released on June 13, 2000 by Reprise Records,[1] and in the UK through Morpheus Records, an imprint label of Reprise. It includes three cover songs: T-Ride's "You and Your Friend" (former band of co-producer Eric Valentine), The Cure's "Lovesong" and The Smiths' "How Soon Is Now".[2] 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.

Sonic Jihad
Studio album by Snake River Conspiracy
Released	June 13, 2000
Length	44:48
Label	Reprise Morpheus (UK)
Producer	Jason Slater David Kahne Eric Valentine Charlie Clouser
Snake River Conspiracy chronology
Vulcan (1999) Sonic Jihad (2000)

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.[3] “Lovesong” features in an episode of HBO’s “The Sopranos”.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]
Drowned In Sound	[4]
PopMatters	Positive[5]

The album received mixed reviews from music critics. Allmusic's 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.[2] 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".[5] Drowned In Sound's 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."[4]

Track listing

1. Breed (4:30)
2. Casualty (4:54)
3. You and Your Friend (3:35)
4. Lovesong (3:56) ^*
5. Act Your Age (4:27)
6. More Than Love (3:50)
7. Strangled (4:43)
8. Oh Well (3:46)
9. Somebody Hates You (3:57)
10. Vulcan (3:59)
11. How Soon is Now? (3:23)

^* Although the 3:56 version of "Lovesong" is included on the album, a full-length version (4:08) 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;[6] the song also entered the UK Singles Chart, at number 83.[7] The third single, "Breed", reached #37 on the Dance Club Songs chart.[6]

Charts

References