This is an artistic concept album separated into twelve numbered parts. The album starts off by creating a gray rainy atmosphere and every song seems to take on a different shape without ever leaving the original feel behind. The "gray" theme pervades the album without being oppressive. As the title suggests, it's a pleasant shade of gray. The lyrics take us into a reflective journey into ourselves with memories, questions and regrets.
so where do we begin
and what else can we say?
when the lines are all drawn
what should we do today?....
drifting in and out
his mind never rests
lying in shadows
replaying a thousand regrets
The search for spiritual answers is woven throughout this piece, but without a savior, Fates Warning can only offer:
to see another day
and with hope in our hearts
embrace this shade of gray
this pleasant shade of gray
Despite the theological poverty, Fates Warning has created an incredible masterpiece of progressive yet very introspective music with a lot of depth and complexity.
This is the ninth release for Fates Warning. They have a new lineup that includes Joey Vera (Ex-Helstar) on bass guitar and keyboard virtuoso Kevin Moore (Ex-Dream Theater). All the songs are tight and well produced with excellent workmanship throughout the album. The Christian options for prog-rock fans are limited, so this will definitely tide me over until the new Dream Theater is released.
4 tocks
Similar sounding releases
2003MagellanImpossible Figures
2005Sieges EvenThe Art of Navigating by the Stars
2002Dream TheaterSix Degrees of Inner Turbulence
2000Michael SweetTruth
1994Veni DomineMaterial Sanctuary
1992Fourth EstateFinesse and Fury
