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

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.

1 of 2 found the following review helpful:

One of My Favorite Albums  Mar 03, 2004
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. I have recommended this album to all of my friends and they have all purchased this album. 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.

6 of 7 found the following review helpful:

It was okay  Feb 10, 2004
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"!!!