Search - Above the Golden State :: Golden Rule

A bite size portion that doesn't fully fill.

Abbie Kirkpatrick | Portland, OR USA | 01/31/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Everything in me wants to give them 5 stars, they definitely tried to create a piece of work that defines things surrounding the biblical golden rule. The problem is that they didn't quite reach far enough, while everything feels unified it isn't quite enough and only whets the appetite. The most satisfying thing is the unification of the style and the fact the band is now a cohesive unit of players - considering it picked up two new musicians in the last year they came out pretty well. Give them some more time and throw down your 5 dollars for this slow step forward."

Short and good, mostly

Salamanderman | Florida | 01/30/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I thoroughly enjoyed ATGS's debut album and pre-ordered this CD. I was a little suprised to only see six songs on this Sophmore "LP" but hey with a low price tag it's not that big of a deal.

The band's sound hasn't changed much and that's not really a bad thing. Lyrically I was pretty pleased. I do agree with Mr.Robbins regarding the opening track. The greatest commandment is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself" but if we love God our pursuit of knowledge regarding Him should never be quenched and this should translate into a thirst for the word of God, doctrine, and theology (which obviously should grow our love for God and others).

"The Golden Rule" is deinitely a good CD and I really do like this band. Hopefully their third release will be a little longer."

Not As Good As Their Debut

Matthew Robbins | Ohio | 01/28/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I was a modest fan of Above The Golden State's self-titled debut album. Songs like "Sound of Your Name" and "I'll Love You So" were solid. I think I described them at the time as what it would sound like if Switchfoot did a worship album. Hints of Switchfoot influence still show up occasionally on The Golden Rule, the band's newest 6-song release, but the guys have tried to branch out a little more musically. Combined with an attempt to explore the statement of Jesus to love God and your neighbor as yourself, the results are a little mixed.



The title track, which leads off the collection, explicitly looks at Jesus' teaching as frontman Michael Watson sings, "You can know everything, but your knowing won't help/ So once again, love your Savior and your neighbor like yourself." I get the warning against putting knowledge above love, and I hope I'm not being cynical or jaded, but I'm getting a little weary of this chorus, no pun intended. I know it's dangerous to quibble over song lyrics, but the general feeling of the song is this: Just love Jesus and people and you'll be fine. Are these things important? Obviously. Jesus said they were the greatest commandments. But you can't love or follow a Jesus of your imagination, and true knowledge of God is what naturally flows out in love for others. I know I'm probably reading too much into this, but that's my honest reaction to the song. Musically, I thoroughly enjoyed it, though.



The theme of love continues on "Chance To Love," which questions how God could still love us and challenges listeners to fight to love others in the same way. The first single, "I Am Loved," follows and explores our response to the love of God. It's a great picture of the amazement we should have at God's love. "Real You" utilizes some interesting baselines and handclaps while Watson sings us struggling with trying to "figure God out." "I thought I had You figured out/ Then You broke all my silly rules/ Oh my God, You're just not what I thought I knew was true."



"Teach Us" is pretty forgettable before "Tragedy" picks things back up to close out the album. Driven by some catchy guitar riffs and melodies, the song explores suffering with lines like "What could I ever say for losing everything? / You anchor our souls with hope in tragedy." This is probably my favorite song on the album. Great closer to this short album.



Overall, I didn't enjoy this short collection as much as the band's debut. They branched out some musically, but there's just nothing special here. Maybe it's the short length that left me unsatisfied. Either way, fans of the band will likely enjoy the collection, but it's really nothing to get too excited about."