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Stop All The World Now (Special Package with Bonus DVD)

Howie Day - Stop All The World Now (Special Package with Bonus DVD) Audio CD

A fair review of the Howie Day "Stop All The World Now (Special Package with Bonus DVD)" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Howie Day reviews here, or go back to the Howie Day tabs.

Band: Howie Day
Title: Stop All The World Now (Special Package with Bonus DVD)
Rating:

Release Date: 2003-10-07
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Brace Yourself - Howie Day 2: Perfect Time of Day - Howie Day 3: Collide - Howie Day, London Session Orchestra 4: Trouble in Here - Howie Day, London Session Orchestra 5: Sunday Morning Song - Howie Day 6: I'll Take You On - Howie Day, London Session Orchestra 7: She Says - Howie Day 8: Numbness for Sound - Howie Day, London Session Orchestra 9: You & a Promise - Howie Day 10: End of Our Days - Howie Day, London Session Orchestra 11: Come Lay Down - Howie Day 12: [DVD] - Howie Day

This COULD'VE been a great album
I was interested in checking the album out after hearing "Perfect Time of Day" and "Collide", but after listening to the entire disc, I said something I've said before: "Well, at least he's releasing the right songs. People may think I'm crazy for giving Howie Day's album Stop All the World Now three stars, but I just don't think it's as great an album as it could have been. "

The main problem I found with this album is the songwriting. Take the first track, "Brace Yourself". Lyrics include "I would hold every part of you that I could hold. " Sheesh. Questionable lyrics further prevail in "I'll Take You On" and also "She Says", a rather ineffective song that has Howie taunting a guy who lost a girl to him. And I don't think overproduction is as abundant as another reviewer said, but it IS evident at the end of the otherwise stellar "Come Lay Down".

Even when other songs seem good, they're ruined by bad adlibbing, like on "End of Our Days"; and sorry, but Howie sounds TERRIBLE singing the chorus to "You & a Promise". And he sounds like he's boring himself on the acoustic version of "Collide" because toward the end of the song he sounds like he's yawning instead of singing.

That also brings me to the ironic fact that this is another one of those albums where the bonus tracks are better that the regular tracks (see "This Time Around" and "Standing In the Sun"). Another thing is that it seems like Howie is trying to pull a Steve Winwood in that several of the 6+ minute songs are that long only because there's two to three minutes of extra music (maybe that's to make up for the average songwriting?). In fact, I pondered giving this album 2-1/2 stars because the fact that it took four years to come up with lyrics like these boggles the mind. At any rate, people say Howie Day's live performances are a sight to see, so maybe he has THAT going for him, but I still think Stop All the World Now is just okay.

Anthony Rupert.

5 stars is not enough
Ever since I got his CD's, I barely listen to anything else, and there isn't anything I've heard from this incredible musician that I don't love. The first time I heard Howie Day, I instantly fell in love with his music. He even somehow performs covers better than the originals. It's his voice. Once described by Rolling Stone as "emotionally naked," it will captivate you with intensity through lyrics that anyone can relate to. He has a bold sound, and is talented with the guitar and piano as well. If you get this CD, you will be wanting his other ones before long. Hell, if you get more now, you could probably get free shipping. They include Australia and Madrigals EP, and he also has a track on the I am Sam soundtrack.

sophomore slump
His debut, Australia, was recorded a song at a time for the most part. Howie Day's story is a bit of an odd one. He'd tour some, make money for recording, record a song, tour some more, and make money for the next track. Which in theory isn't a bad way to record as it allows for proper road testing of songs in front of live audiences. Australia was finally completed in 2003 and Howie continued to tour non-stop pushing his release. What made a live Howie Day show unique at the time was his use and mastery of guitar pedals quite literally building up an orchestra of sound with just his voice and his acoustic guitar. Howie eventually ended up opening for acts such as Tori Amos, Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, and most recently the Barenaked Ladies. (Like Dave Matthews Band, Howie encourages not-for-profit trading recordings of his live shows. ) Non-stop touring and word of mouth lead to indepedent sales of 30,000 records - virtually unheard of for an independent debut release by a new artist. Australia became the little album that could as it was eventually picked up for distribution by Epic selling an additional 100,000 copies and adding Howie Day to the label's roster with the likes of Ben Folds, Indigo Girls, Pearl Jam and Travis.

Stop All The World Now sounds sophomoric, appropriately so, and unfortunately a little overproduced. It's by no means a bad release, it just doesn't hold quite the same energy as Madrigals and even Australia. It begins well enough with perhaps the disc's three best songs. "Brace Yourself" kicks things off, and may be one of my favorite Howie tracks ever confronting the listener from the beginning with a wall of sound unheard on either of the previous releases. The first single, "Perfect Time Of Day," has received enough airplay for him to sell out the local rock club, and is more enjoyable and energetic than anything I've heard from two of his wider-known contemporaries, John Mayer and Josh Kelley. "Collide" is also another contender for best Howie song ever except it's severely limited by the rather cartoonish "doot doot doo"'s. "Collide" is also the first of several tracks on Stop to include the 25-piece London Session Orchestra, but wisely keeps the simple acoustic guitar strum that begins the song in the front of the mix with his voice. "Trouble In Here" explodes at the choruses so strongly it drowns the orchestra out of the mix, and would be a smart choice for the disc's second single. The cartoonish backing vocals that brought down "Collide" would actually help the slower "Sunday Morning Song. " Immediately following is "I'll Take You On" which is perfectly appropriate for a lazy Sunday afternoon with it's gentle sway. "She Says" from Australia gets another go-round on Stop but for the life of me I can't figure out why as they don't employ the orchestra. If any song off Australia needed an orchestra treatment (other than "Ghost") it's "She Says. " The new version is by no means bad, but if you're going to reinvent, reinvent. "Numbness Of Sound" sounds like it isn't fully realized in terms of its sonic texture. I keep expecting something heavier, something stronger to kick in, something a little more rock to add to his voice and the swelling string section. Stop features a more realized version version of "You & A Promise" that unfortunately, while is a great version, the added production puts a layer of separation between the listener and the track. The fade down ending to "You & A Promise" segues beautifully into the lilting "End Of Our Days. " Disc closer "Come Lay Down" is a wash of effects, brooding bass, and soaring vocals. The limited edition of Stop All The World Now also includes a dvd with about thirty minutes of recording footage, interview footage, and general man-about-town footage plus a solo live piano version of "End Of Our Days. "

If you're going to buy a Howie Day release, I would begin with Madrigals. It's a perfect sampling of all things Howie. If you like more produced poppier stuff, go with Stop All The World Now. Hopefully his next release will be a little more stripped down, a little more authentic, a little more original, a little more intimate. I was pretty disappointed when I saw him a few months ago at the 9:30 Club. Hopefully he'll return to what made him a little more unique.

One of My Favorite Albums
I have recommended this album to all of my friends and they have all purchased this album. I love listening to Howie Day, and to put myself in a good mood all I have to do is put Stop All The World Now into my cd player. And they all love it! I would definately recommend this album to anyone. Howie is a very talented young musician. I would also strongly recommend either of his previous albums.

It was okay
I had been a devoted follower of Howie's growing magnification, and lately I've felt a little let down . .
This comment probably makes no difference since Howie and his supporters are very successful without my opinion. However, I simpy wanted to mention that my first experience with Howie Day was when he opened-up for Tori Amos at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago a few years back. I fell in love!!! He had amazing solo stage-presence. I enjoyed him so much, that I went out & bought AUSTRALIA the next day, and I completely fawned at the MADRIGALS release.
I was so excited when I found out he was headlining Chicago's Vic Theatre in October (2003) & immediately bought tickets. A few days later, I purchased STOP ALL THE WORLD NOW. I loved the piano ballad, but otherwise I was disappointed in the rather "poppy" sound in a majority of the album, but figured the upcoming live show would make up for it.
The show at the Vic was even more disappointing than his new release. His cheesy backup band really turned me off. I am much more fond his solo performances with sinewy, emotional vocals and echoing guitar rifs. . . They were much more powerful, and I wish I could hear more! Until then, I've strayed away. I miss the "old Howie"!!!.

You can see a complete list of all Howie Day discography, or go back to the Howie Day tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.