Best Track on A Pleasant Shade of Gray by Fates Warning?

Released 22 April 1997
Recorded December, 1996 at The Carriage House, Stamford, CT

Lineup:
Ray Alder – vocals
Jim Matheos – guitar, guitar synth
Mark Zonder – drums
Joey Vera – bass
Kevin Moore – keyboards


This album is a departure from the structure and style of the previous two records, very intentionally. This album tends to be polarizing sometimes due to the excessively progressive nature, but I think it worked like a charm. It's one 53 minute song split into 12 tracks, with some recurring themes and motifs. It may be long but it's anything but boring to my ears. Some of my favorite Fates songs are from this record. It's not gonna be an album that is immediately burned into your mind, but after a few listens it should stand out as one of the most important musical works in progressive metal.

It was also recorded during the month of my birth, which is cool.

Jim Matheos has said that the genesis of A Pleasant Shade of Gray's stark departure was the similarity of the previous two albums. "I think all of our records have been drastically different with the exception of Inside Out and Parallels [...] Looking back, that might not have been such a good move. We repeated ourselves and when we stepped away from it at the end of touring with it we weren't pleased with that; so this time we've done something radically different."

The only downside to this poll is that it'll probably take a conscious listen beforehand to know which parts are which in order to reference them. My favorite track is probably the ballad-esque "Part IX". I think it's some of their best work lyrically, and it contains some of my favorite melodies on the album.

The dark and light duality of heavy and light textures, combined with the intricate technicality of the album weaves a great atmosphere. One that I don't think any fans of Alder-era Fates couldn't enjoy.

I'm curious to see the spread of opinions on this album here. I imagine it'll be all over the place.

I love this album! This is the one that made me a fan. Picking a single song off of this one is tough, though.

...... and the music inside lived up to the album cover.

chewie wrote:

I love this album! This is the one that made me a fan. Picking a single song off of this one is tough, though.

...... and the music inside lived up to the album cover.

I know what you mean. Part of me wanted to choose the outro track, as well as Part VI, or Part III. It's a phenomenal album, and one of my absolute favorites.

And the album cover totally matches the dream-like, darkened atmosphere of the music within it.

I listened to this quite a bit and finally settled on Part V.

Does anyone know who is on the cover? At first glance I thought it was Tesla but then, looking at it more closely, I see that it isn't.

This is my favourite Fates Warning album, and probably a strong candidate for my all-time top 10.

chewie wrote:

Picking a single song off of this one is tough, though.

As far as I know, officially it is actually only one song split into twelve parts. So picking one song would be quite easy.

But if I had to pick one track, I'd go with Part VI - the one that starts "I know that I don't know you".

Citanul wrote:

This is my favourite Fates Warning album, and probably a strong candidate for my all-time top 10.

chewie wrote:

Picking a single song off of this one is tough, though.

As far as I know, officially it is actually only one song split into twelve parts.  So picking one song would be quite easy.

But if I had to pick one track, I'd go with Part VI - the one that starts "I know that I don't know you".

Smartass!!!!

After listening to the sections on YouTube, I chose Part VII.

I like the ending best, you know when it was over.

James B. wrote:

I like the ending best, you know when it was over.

Wurthless, when's the next one?

I've been away from the computer for a few days, I'll have the next poll up as soon as I can.