With the release of his debut album, Australia in 2000, Howie Day sold over 30,000 records independently before signing to Epic Records, with whom he went on to sell over 70,000 more records. Day began playing local bars and clubs at the age of 15 in his hometown of Bangor, Maine. Over the past seven years, Day has been touring college campuses and clubs, playing up to 300 days/year. His intense and rigorous touring schedule has built him a humble, yet permanent name for himself within the music industry. Day released his first major label album in the fall of 2003. Stop All the World Now is an 11-song collection of eclectic and sensuous tracks.

Upon first listening to Stop All the World Now, I was disappointed and unimpressed with the long awaited and hyped sophomore album. Breaking free from his signature sound, Day has substituted a full band for his looping technique. Stepping away from his more "acoustic sound", he explored the drums, piano, vibraphone, bass, harmonium, among others to create a new style for himself.

Day catches the listener with the first three tracks of Stop All the World Now. "Brace Yourself," "Perfect Time of Day," and "Collide" are the most powerful songs. "Perfect Time of Day," the first single off the album is catchy and up-beat. Its hyper melody luckily hides some of the weakness and clichés in its lyrics. "It's the perfect time of day/it's the last day of your life/don't let it drift away/while your heart is still racing/it's the perfect time of day." Day lacks originality and depth in this track. He gives the illusion of a beginning to a story with the first verse of the song, however leaves the listener with an incomplete feeling by the end. While it is deficient of insightful words, the song is musically contagious and fun. The beat flows through your body, infecting your shoulders and feet with movement. His vocals are passionate and he concludes the song with a concentration on the zealous piano finale.

Following "Perfect Time of Day," Day showcases his songwriting talents with "Collide." "Collide" is in the ranks with Day's strongest songs off Australia, like "Ghost," "Sorry So Sorry," and "Morning After." This is sure to be a favorite of long-time fans. Its acoustic roots and sexy melody capture the listener upon first listen. The light orchestra sound adds a layer of tranquility to the track and his vocals are perfectly composed throughout the song.

"Numbness for Sound" is one of the darker tracks on the CD. Day's voice is mysterious and adds to the chilling ambiance. "All that you noticed, a moment in time/A photograph lost here since you were mine/I'll wait back here." The secretiveness and gloominess that is often found in Day's lyrics is exampled in this song. Day's ability to tell a story and leave the listener with an unsolved feeling is at times frustrating but also mystifying.

While the album takes a few times over to get used to, it is an interesting path for Howie Day. Lyrically it can be feeble at times, but it is overall more musically compelling than previous releases from this acoustic singer-songwriter. Be patient with the album and allow it to grow on you if it does not capture you at first. It is an album worth taking the time to appreciate.