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HOWIE DAY EXTRAS Music Review by Scott Juba from www.the-trades.com Published: July 25, 2004
After two critically acclaimed full-length albums as well as an EP CD, Howie Day has a new treat for his fans, the recently released EP, “Extras”. Featuring live versions of three of the songs from “Stop All The World Now”, as well as a previously unreleased studio track, “Extras” is another reminder of what a truly gifted artist and performer Howie Day is. |
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| The new studio cut, “Standing In The Sun”, has Day’s unique signature written all over it, and from an artistic standpoint, is very similar in tone and feel to the songs on “Stop All The World Now”. The song’s rhythm is vaguely reminiscent of “Perfect Time of Day”, and although it’s overall tempo is more subdued, the resonance it delivers is equally as compelling. Why the track wasn’t included on “Stop All The World Now” is puzzling. Nonetheless, “Standing In The Sun” is a nice addition to “Extras”. The real power of “Extras”, however, comes from the three live tracks, which were recorded last December at the State Theater in Portland, Maine. The three songs (“Numbness for Sound”, “Collide”, and “End of Our Days”) have never sounded better than they do on this EP. The powerful instrumentals are impressive, and the authentic emotion and poignancy that Day’s vocals convey are exceptional. His vocal potency is remarkable, and the intimacy that he brings to a song’s lyrics in a live performance places him in a league of his own. This is especially true in his live rendition of “Collide”, which is overflowing with spirit and emotional energy. Moreover, Day’s songs strike a chord with listeners, because they convey the true essence of what it means to be alive, interweaving messages of love, hope, despair, and the fleeting nature of time. There is a passionate urgency in their messages that many of the songs currently permeating mainstream radio airwaves often lack. If “Extras” doesn’t give you the urge to attend one of Day’s live shows, I don’t know what will. It is an exceptional compilation of music that reminds us of the power music can convey when written and performed by an artist with genuine talent and uncompromised artistic integrity. Overall Grade: A |
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