Out of the Grey

Item: (See Inside)
Author: Vanessa Crooks

(See Inside)

(1997)

Reviewed by Vanessa Crooks

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Label Sparrow RecordsThe LighthouseJune 1997

alternative rock art rock pop rock

Record companies are no longer interested in long-range career development; artists must show quick and escalating profit or else they are shoved aside. Such hard-line strategy discourages experimentation and risk-taking recordings. The consequence may be precisely what has occurred in much of contemporary Christian music today: safe career moves which have resulted in an endless pile of bland music that sounds too much alike. Since their critically and publicly acclaimed debut project in 1991, the gifted husband and wife duo, Out of the Grey, has fallen prey to this mentality in varying degrees. They are undeniably talented-she sings with unusual force and personality; he plays guitar with uncanny abandon and ability; and both of them are savvy on stage. Accordingly, they have experienced more than modest success. However, somewhere along the line, their studio work sacrificed the eclectic flair that hallmarks not only their first album, but their live performances as well. With their current release, (See Inside), it is clear that Scott and Christine Denté have decided to defy "the system"-challenging themselves and their audience to embrace a new sound and a one-of-a-kind recording.

By casting aside the polish and sheen that are Nashville's stock in trade, Out of the Grey makes an unbridled, dauntless guitar-driven statement which mixes art pop and melodic rock. Even the most conventional songs on (See Inside) are enhanced by unique touches such as concertina, fly dulcimer, and sitar. Sprinkled plentifully throughout the project are exquisite harmonic flourishes from Scott, as well as an exceptional interplay between the electric and acoustic guitars. "Come Clean" employs dramatic acoustic strums, ambient background vocals, a flawed pitch wheel, and a plethora of effects to diversify and define a strong base of electric guitar, bass, and drum. Ascribing to a current musical trend, this track starts off softly and builds to a biting edge with layered intensity and raw energy. This is akin to Alanis Morissette's style, as distortion and flanger provide acerbic emphasis.

(See Inside) also features several cuts which display an excitingly unfamiliar sound: Scott's unadorned vocals. "That's Where I Live" is the rare track on which he sings lead! He has a warm, infectious tenor that adds depth to the mix. As always, Christine is in fine vocal form. In fact, it sounds as if she welcomed the challenge and change of fronting this bolder-bodied sound. Producer Brown Bannister demonstrates, yet again, that he has a knack for highlighting the strength of each artist he encounters. The musicians sound as if they were encouraged to lighten up and savor their playing. More than any other Out of the Grey project, this effort has the spontaneity and feeling of a "live" performance-even Scott and Christine are not afraid to kick back and enjoy the moment. Indeed, (See Inside)'s agile, airy, and organic approach is very appealing.

In a pop culture where songwriting rarely transcends a greeting-card level of craftsmanship, Out of the Grey's lyrical offerings convey deep truths and emotional resonance with an unflinching love and respect for language and faith. The potent imagery of "Joy" and "Winter Sun" illustrate Christine's (who writes most of the lyrics) awareness of the intrinsic power of a well-chosen word. In particular, "Joy" never once uses its motif within the verses themselves, yet paints a moving portrait of this spiritual fruit nonetheless. Even the non-word lyrics (la's, ah's, etc.) that Christine utilizes imitate the often inexpressible quality of joy itself. She certainly has a gift for composing unconventionally pretty melodies and subtle bits of wordplay that sneak up on the listener.

On the whole, Out of the Grey handles "tried and true" topics in a way that adds a new twist or rethinks the simple truth behind the cliché. For example, "Not A Chance" focuses on God's providential love. However, it's written in blank verse and boasts an unusual chorus that provides an interesting perspective on predestination:

Not a chance, not just a whim No conditions, no what ifs Not a chance, not just my luck Just Your choice, just Your love

Furthermore, the efficacy of the reminder in "Constant," regarding God's call on our lives, is accentuated by its juxtaposition with the next track, "Disappear," which explores a highly unusual theme: hiding ourselves in Christ. With such lyrics and concepts, (See Inside) is perhaps the most spiritually focused, yet musically and lyrically complex, Out of the Grey recording to date.

Clearly, Out of the Grey's current release takes more than a superficial glance at faith-it stops, looks, and "sees inside" the relationship between humanity and our Redeemer. Brimming with musical energy and creativity, as well as spiritual affirmation and insight, Scott and Christine Denté have raised their artistic standard to visionary proportions.