A Pleasant Shade of Gray

Infobox Album | Name = A Pleasant Shade of Gray
Type = studio
Artist = Fates Warning


Released = 22nd April, 1997
Recorded = December, 1996
Genre = Progressive Metal
Length = 55:46
Label = Metal Blade Records
Producer = Terry Brown
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|2.5|5 [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gvfwxq9hld6e link]
Last album = "Chasing Time"
(1995)
This album = "A Pleasant Shade of Gray"
(1997)
Next album = "Still Life"
(1998)

"A Pleasant Shade of Gray" is an album by the progressive metal group Fates Warning, released in 1997 (see 1997 in music). It contains one song divided into twelve chapters. After the last track, there is a brief period of silence followed by 20 seconds of an alarm clock ringing.

"A Pleasant Shade of Gray" is generally considered to be Fates Warning's magnum opus, taking elements of metal and New Age. The lyrics revolve around self-reflection and regret. The album's music and lyrics were entirely composed by guitarist Jim Matheos.

Track listing

#"A Pleasant Shade Of Gray Part I" - 1:53
#"A Pleasant Shade Of Gray Part II" - 3:25
#"A Pleasant Shade Of Gray Part III" - 3:53
#"A Pleasant Shade Of Gray Part IV" - 4:26
#"A Pleasant Shade Of Gray Part V" - 5:24
#"A Pleasant Shade Of Gray Part VI" - 7:28
#"A Pleasant Shade Of Gray Part VII" - 4:51
#"A Pleasant Shade Of Gray Part VIII" - 3:31
#"A Pleasant Shade Of Gray Part IX" - 4:45
#"A Pleasant Shade Of Gray Part X" - 1:19
#"A Pleasant Shade Of Gray Part XI" - 3:34
#"A Pleasant Shade Of Gray Part XII" - 9:08

Credits

* Ray Alder - Vocals
* Jim Matheos - Guitar, guitar synth, music and lyrics
* Mark Zonder - Drums
* Joey Vera - Bass
* Kevin Moore - Piano, keyboards
* Produced, recorded and mixed by Terry Brown at the Carriage House, Stamford, CT, November-December 1996
* Assistant engineers — Andy Katz, Joe Peccerillo
* Mastered by Eddy Schreyer at Oasis
* Pre-production at Bill's place
* Additional voices — Bill "shoot me" Metoyer, Lydia Montagnese, Mark Zonder, Terry Brown, Lindsay Matheos
* Catering — George Hideous, Fidel Horrendous and Arthur Letsgoberg at Salad Face International
* Art direction & design by Ioannis and Steve Jacaruso at Vivid Images Int.
* Photography by Ioannis and Heide Coyle