Main Review
While working on his fourth studio album, Jason Gray again worked alongside the well known producers Jason Ingram
and Rusty Verankamp. They were not chosen by random; as Gray explained, they were people who would help him create
pop music with a depth. When writing for this album, instead of beginning with a theme, Jason Gray instead wrote
whatever lyrics came to him and then would create a theme for them. This is a much different approach than what he had
used in his previous albums. Though the approach may have been different, his goal for his music stayed the same:
songs that would connect with a wide audience.
The lead single “Remind Me Who I Am” serves as the opener for A Way To See In The Dark. Jason Gray describes it as
“where „I Am New‟ from my last record left off. It‟s about identity.” He refers to himself in the song as a sinner asking God
for a reminder of what the Lord thinks of him. God sees us, His children and as the ones He loves, and this song
describes it well. Following the first track is a very encouraging song “End of Me” which speaks about finding hope and
love when times seem worst. The chorus says, “I found peace like a river to attend my soul/And hope running over when I
let go/…/I found it here at the end of me.”
“No Thief Like Fear” talks about the dangers of fear, with Gray describing it as “the worst of my own enemies.” The song,
however, ends on a high note with God setting us free from our fears! With a pleasant tune, “Good To Be Alive” declares
that our life is worth much and should not be wasted. In the bridge, it is sung, “All I want is to give you/A life well lived to
say, „thank you.‟” Jason Gray encourages us to use our lives to please God and to “live like there‟s no tomorrow.” The
upbeat track “The Sound Of Our Breathing” is a proclamation of the Lord‟s name being on our lips and being the very
sound of our breath.
Jason Gray uses primarily an acoustic guitar for “Without Running Away,” a very slow song about hope. Though the
melody seems rather poor, the lyrics send a great message of not giving up hope for a healing from God. The topic of fear
is again brought up in “Fear Is Easy, Love Is Hard.” This time that fear is directed towards sharing the gospel and truth to
one you think might not accept it. “It‟s hard to bring your heart to a world that can break it/To offer love to those you‟re afraid
will forsake it.” Through this song, Gray encourages us that though love is so hard, it is well worth it.
Finding hope in tough times is again sung about in the piano-based tune “Nothing Is Wasted.” It is followed by the title
track “A Way To See In The Dark” which is about having faith in God that He is our Savior and is always there when we
need Him. Jason Gray sings in the chorus, “Once again a childlike faith/Is my only way/To see in the dark.” For a title track,
the tune is disappointing, but the lyrics somewhat make up for it. “The Other Side” features flashbacks in the lyrics of
Jason Gray‟s life where he depended on the Lord‟s love and help to get him through troubles that he could not have
gotten out of alone. In the last lines, he states that each of these “chapters” have taught him to fully rely on Jesus.
The album closes with two soft songs, beginning with “I Will Find A Way,” inspired by the book The Ragman And Other
Cries Of Faith by Walt Wangerin Jr. Wangerin Jr‟s book is about a woman who has been abused and is now wary of any
type of kindness towards her. The narrator is trying to find a way to earn her trust and reach out to her and help her. Gray‟s
song contains the same story, and in the song, the narrator succeeds. In the final verse, it is revealed that the narrator‟s
name is “Emmanuel.” The album‟s closer “Jesus We Are Grateful” sounds like a modern hymn. Jason Gray thanks
Jesus for His great love towards us for being our Savior and Protector.
Closing Thoughts
In discussing his new album, Jason Gray said, “I appreciate pop music, but I also want to marry it to a reflective, hopefully
interesting and compelling lyric,” the latter of which he succeeds in very well. Gray‟s latest project features a strong
package of lyrics in every song. The songs contain topics of finding hope where it seems like there is none and having
faith in the Lord. Unfortunately, the music side of the album fails to “pack a punch.” Once you get past the first few songs,
the music becomes somewhat bland and makes the album sound less pop and more simply adult contemporary.
However, for those looking for good messages in songs, this album is definitely a worthy album to listen to.
Review Written By: Justin Morden [justin.morden@christianmusicreview.org] on 8/27/2011
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