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.

[5] 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.

"[6] Roy referred to Youth Choir's early style as the "San Francisco Sound," but the band's influences at this time were primarily British, being described by one critic as "The Cure on Prozac.

"[8][9] Prior to the album's release, Youth Choir convinced the label brass to let them re-record "A Million Years" as a full band, with Mark Heard as producer, Bill Batstone on bass and including newly-hired Dan Michaels on Lyricon, before issuing that single to Christian radio.

While in the studio with Heard, Youth Choir also re-recorded "Another World" as well as two new tracks: "We Should Be Dancing," and an early version of "All Night Long," the latter of which would be recorded again for the Shades of Gray EP.

However, Youth Choir’s other single was the leadoff track "Someone’s Calling," which became the band’s first top ten hit on the CCM Rock charts, peaking at #8.

Reviewer Brian Quincy Newcomb called the "Flock of Seagulls- and Police-influenced" album "a fine debut," saying that the trio of Daugherty, Hindalong and Sauerbrey "have captured a sound that is vital and interesting, while speaking with sincerity and sensitivity.

"[14] Martin Smith, writing for the Red Deer Advocate, agreed, calling Voices in Shadows "a masterful bit of atmospheric new wave seasoned with dashes of rambling guitar and rolling drums."

"[19] Wayne Myatt at Jesus Freak Hideout pointed out similar dichotomies, saying that "some of the songs seem to drag on too much with a chorus that doesn't ease the anticipation of a recovery such as "Another World," "Dreams," and "Why Are All The Children Crying."