2008 Woodie Awards
Reviewers sound off on new music releases
David Thill/ Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/31/03 Section: The Verge
It would seem young Howie Day has been around the block a couple times. He opted to tour for the past four years instead of going to college like many of his peers. But this Bangor, Maine native wouldn't have had it any other way. Although he is only 23, his music reflects a wisdom and knowledge of self that Day attributes to those years he spent touring instead of in school.
Indeed, Day has come a long way from his independent release "Australia" that he recorded himself in 2000. Day sold 32,000 copies of the album by word of mouth, which caught the attention of Epic Records. To date, "Australia" has sold over 100,000 copies with little radio play and limited advertisement. In 2000, Day was recording his own live music in front of a small audience in his living room. Today he is recording with a 25 piece orchestra. Quite a step in the right dirction.
He is hoping to take a few more steps in that direction with his first major record label release "Stop All The World Now," an abitious first effort by a relatively young singer/songwriter. Day's writing style varies from light-hearted pop, to more serious sounding songs that remind one of early Radiohead. Songs like "Brace Yourself," "Perfect Time of Day" and " Numbness For Sound" contain personal lyrics that give a glimpse into the real Howie Day, but they aren't so personal that they aren't radio friendly. "End of Our Days" is a song that sounds more like it belongs on the Adult Contemporary Radio Station that your mom would listen to than the pop station most 23 year-old musicians are on. The best track on the album is "Come Lay Down," a track that sounds like a Radiohead single. "Come Lay Down" has a heavy sound and intelligent lyrics, which is not indicative of most acts Day's age.
All in all, Day's second outing was a good one, but there are some problems. The album lags in the middle, but picks back up again towards the end. Some of the songs sound a bit too similar for their own good and the lyrics are a bit repetative at times, but overall it is a good album. I would suggest this album to fans of John Mayer or Jack Johnson, but if you aren't a fan of them, you might want to wait until his next release.
Indeed, Day has come a long way from his independent release "Australia" that he recorded himself in 2000. Day sold 32,000 copies of the album by word of mouth, which caught the attention of Epic Records. To date, "Australia" has sold over 100,000 copies with little radio play and limited advertisement. In 2000, Day was recording his own live music in front of a small audience in his living room. Today he is recording with a 25 piece orchestra. Quite a step in the right dirction.
He is hoping to take a few more steps in that direction with his first major record label release "Stop All The World Now," an abitious first effort by a relatively young singer/songwriter. Day's writing style varies from light-hearted pop, to more serious sounding songs that remind one of early Radiohead. Songs like "Brace Yourself," "Perfect Time of Day" and " Numbness For Sound" contain personal lyrics that give a glimpse into the real Howie Day, but they aren't so personal that they aren't radio friendly. "End of Our Days" is a song that sounds more like it belongs on the Adult Contemporary Radio Station that your mom would listen to than the pop station most 23 year-old musicians are on. The best track on the album is "Come Lay Down," a track that sounds like a Radiohead single. "Come Lay Down" has a heavy sound and intelligent lyrics, which is not indicative of most acts Day's age.
All in all, Day's second outing was a good one, but there are some problems. The album lags in the middle, but picks back up again towards the end. Some of the songs sound a bit too similar for their own good and the lyrics are a bit repetative at times, but overall it is a good album. I would suggest this album to fans of John Mayer or Jack Johnson, but if you aren't a fan of them, you might want to wait until his next release.
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