He may only be 22-years-old, but Maine based singer-songwriter Howie Day can already brag about releasing his second major label effort and opening for the likes of Tori Amos, Sting, Sheryl Crow, and John Mayer. With such lofty accomplishments and a growing grassroots fanbase, it‘s hard to imagine why a guy like Day would have anything to complain about, though Stop All the World Now sure is full of heartache, anger, and sadness.

As the disc begins with the middle of the road acoustic mediocrity of "Brace Yourself" Day whines of loneliness and solitude, desperately seeking to find love again. It‘s a topic he‘ll revist with commercialized blandness several times throughout the next 52 minutes, including his longing to be held droner "I‘ll Take You On," and the lifeless regretful lament of "Numbness For Sound." The soninc structure of this release is just as depressing, stripping away Day‘s previously implemented loop and sample techniques for cookie-cutter commercialization.

Lead single "Perfect Time of Day" is the most apparent example, basking in the safe acoustic shuffle, wimpy electrics, and a pleading female background accompaniment. Consider it a gallant attempt to mix the boyish yelps of Mayer with the squeaky clean production of Guster and the contrived aggression of Maroon5. Adding a string section to the acoustic base of "Collide" and "She Says" (a fleshed out remake from 2000‘s Australia) only adds to the sterility derived from a bigger budget production, stripping Day of his organic spontaneity. Chances are this project won‘t survive the sophomore curse with such predictable thoroughfar, and aside from those imperssed by his high school handsome looks and comical concert personality; it‘s likely Howie‘s just a flavor of the Day.

Rating of 3
by Andy Argyrakis