Howie Day falls firmly into the sensitive singer/songwriter category,
and at first I was skeptical about this album. He's just so
straightforward. But sometimes a little forthrightness is exactly
what you need. The album starts out with the beats of a groove box
accompanied by Day's raspy voice and his acoustic guitar on "Sorry So
Sorry" as he spins a tale of reluctant repentence. What comes through
brilliantly on each song is the emotion, like on the soaring chorus of
"Secret" or on the upbeat "Everything Else." Day cites Jeff Buckley
as one of his influences, and it's my compliment to him that I can
almost hear it. Keep your music going in that direction, Howie, and
you'll definitely have something.
imagine how i would feel if your friends were all your dates
i'm moving out with her
do you shake you'll be ok
and if you really didn't know i swear i really didn't know
—"Sorry So Sorry"
it's your secret why would you tell it to me
it's your lover on the television
scream why would you not try to be
why would you not try to see
right from wrong is not quite seen
right from wrong is it everything?
—"Secret"
everything else doesn't matter
if you want her you can't have her
enjoy this life right now you know what you're to do
—"Everything Else"
| 
Heidi J. De Vries
