Voices in Shadows is the first studio album by Christian alternative rock band the Choir (known as "Youth Choir" at this point), released in 1985. Background Youth Choir was part of a group of Christian alternative rock bands, primarily based out of Orange County, California, that got their start under the aegis of Calvary Chapel. Drummer Steve Hindalong originally met bass guitarist Tim Chandler while playing in a jazz combo together at Azusa Pacific University; not long afterward, Chandler introduced Hindalong to lead singer and guitarist Derri Daugherty, who was working as the house engineer for Maranatha! Music's Whitefield Studios. The three began writing music together, which resulted in the song, "It's So Wonderful," later released as part of the What's Shakin compilation of Maranatha! Christian alternative rock bands in 1984. Through Daugherty's connections to Daniel Amos, Chandler met Terry Taylor, and accepted Taylor's request to join that band during the recording of Doppelgänger, so Hindalong and Daugherty recruited Mike Sauerbrey to replace Chandler as bassist. The name "Youth Choir" was originally suggested by Taylor, and the new trio liked the term, as they were fans of Sonic Youth and Choir Invisible. In March 1984, Youth Choir was asked to be part of the initial Cornerstone Festival later that summer; the band quickly pressed up a 7" single of two live tracks, "I Can't Take It," and "Here in the Night," to have something to offer attendees besides the What's Shakin compilation. Youth Choir was later signed to Broken Records, a division of Maranatha!. Recording and production Youth Choir returned to Whitefield Studios to record their debut. Derri Daugherty wanted Terry Taylor to produce the record, but Broken recommended producer Thom Roy, who had co-produced ¡Alarma! for Daniel Amos and produced the debut album for the Lifesavors. Of the three songs Youth Choir had previously released, Roy opted only to re-record "Here in the Night" for Voices in Shadows. The remainder of the tracks—and in particular, the lyrics—were primarily written by Daugherty; starting with Shades of Gray, Steve Hindalong would assume almost all lyrical duties from that point forward. Due to budget limitations, the album was recorded at off-peak hours, and Daugherty and Mike Sauerbrey recorded their tracks over a basic drum machine, with the assumption that Hindalong would replace the machine with live drums. Unfortunately, the budget didn't allow for more than cymbal crashes and the sound of a