Above The Golden State
The whole thing has a pop-lush feel to it, with some pianos and keyboards added in for good measure. It's poppy, but never too poppy. Any of these songs would sound pretty good on the radio, but enough of them have a nice edge to them to keep things interesting. Songs like "I Love You So" maintain a CCM sensibility. And when things slow down ("Love," "Scared," etc…), things vary enough to never to sound clich?
This is a groundbreaking album to say the least, Above The Golden State is a joy to listen to. The lyrics are also relatable. Some tracks fare better than others along the way, but for the most part, Above the Golden State manages to avoid the usual pitfalls and craft an album that will certainly appeal to the CCM crowd, and may even turn a few heads among the cynical.
Track Listing
| Lyrics | 1 - Loud And Clear | |
| Lyrics | 2 - Gaze Into Your Eyes | |
| Video | Lyrics | 3 - Sound Of Your Name |
| Lyrics | 4 - Streets | |
| Lyrics | 5 - I'll Love You So | |
| Lyrics | 6 - Comeback | |
| Lyrics | 7 - Love | |
| Lyrics | 8 - Chapter 13 | |
| Lyrics | 9 - Scared | |
| Lyrics | 10 - One Thirty Nine | |
| Lyrics | 11 - The Haunting | |
| Lyrics | 12 - All My Heart | |
| Lyrics | 13 - Reel To Reel |
Album Reviews
Community Reviews
14great album
this is a great first album by this band. i enjoy listening to their music.
Awesome album! You guys are great!
Above the Average Pop/Rock
Kicking things off with a catchy chorus and unblemished production, “Loud and Clear” has plenty of nice radio ready effects and lyrics that, while it seems you find...
I know this review is a year and a half late, but I thought this album a worthy mention for your thoughts, or maybe a deserving addition to your music collection. Now, I want you to understand, I usually don’t end up promoting over-produced, sing-a-long type pop due to it’s lyrical conformity and overall lack of substance. But if you are looking for something in-between the vibes of teenybopper and the adult contemporary of Tenth Avenue North, then you have probably come to the right place. Signed to Sparrow Records in early 2008, this self-titled debut put Above the Golden State on a platform for success, but due to under-hyped publicity and (not much more actually,) they somehow found themselves in the back of the genre while other similar bands were making progress with the same styling and sound. Though it’s unfortunate how much talent has gotten overlooked here, this is only their first project, and they have music still to come that is for sure. But, predicting careers isn’t my job, so I’ll get back to the point.
Kicking things off with a catchy chorus and unblemished production, “Loud and Clear” has plenty of nice radio ready effects and lyrics that, while it seems you find plenty of these sort on every effort around the corner, foreman Matt Watson’s laid back vocals are one of the best aspects here, and it is a clever beginning for the listener. Ensuing that fun start, “Gaze into Your Eyes” may not new material, but for once it seems worth it to ignore some negative aspects, for the sake of delighting yourself with this utterly irresistible tune. “I Love You So” is another one of these pieces, the perfectly upbeat feel taking us through the half-mark with ease, and creating one of most pleasurable songs yet.
Although I have been mostly focusing on the more fast-paced numbers, the mid-tempo tracks are where the band find themselves at their helm, with their theme turning to Love, this part of the first verse of “Streets” features this transition well: When love flows through the cities/Through the grid of all the streets /Under bridges in the alleys/Like blood through our veins. “Scared” looks again to their acoustic side as well, mandolin licks and Relient K tinged harmonies pulled into another tight pop melody that also adds to the album as we move into the later part of the record.
So thought this album isn’t perfect, it does accomplish what I think they set out to do: invent a slink, even if not original sounding, contemporary Christian music album that will be a fun listen as well as give you something to think about along the way. And in my opinion, they have achieved that goal thoroughly, and I certainly look forward to more great music on the way. ~ Christian Lingner
vid
that video was sooo funny lol how they were walking and everybody kept grabbin the phone lol it totally rocked lol and plus i really like their voices and style of music!!!
A great beginning to a long career
Starting their music career with the hit single "Sound of Your Name" it captured my attention immediately. The lead singer had such a unique voice and the song had almost a surf rock/brit-pop rock feel to it. I listened to the whole album and I love listening to it all day! "Streets", "Love", and "The Haunting" are just few of the highlights to this wonderful album. Check it out!
Great CD
Interesting that they included a reading from Corinthians as a spoken word..my favorite songs are "Sound Of Your Name", "Streets", "I'll Love You So" "One Thirty Nine" and "All My Heart"
Better & Better
The more I listen to this album, the better it gets. My favorite music is hip-hop but this album is worthy of recognition. Above The Golden State has a very unique style. Their music is very good and makes you want to give praise & glory to the Creator. Every time I listen to this album I like it even more then before. I encourage anyone that is a fan of good music to purchase this album because they are one of the best bands out.
WOW
Above the Golden State is a fun group. Sound of your Name is a song on this album and it is absolutely amazing. Really captures what they believe in a fun, catchy song.
The surf-rock answer to my prayers
In a world where emo bands, gangster rap, and hardcore heavy metal are king, Above the Golden State’s melodic power pop debut is a breath of fresh air, or music I suppose.
The lyrics are sing-a-long amazing, guaranteeing you’ll be humming the tunes long after you listen to the CD. Any fan of mid-90s Weezer, The Beatles, or The Beach Boys would be proud to call themselves a fan of Above the Golden State as well. With intelligent song writing and guitar skills from front-man Michael Watson, the intoxicating keyboard playing of Tim Aylward, and precise drumming from Brook Mosser who can stop these guys?
Not only are they skillful musicians, they also display an unbridled love and admiration for God both in lyrical content and the way they live their lives. With that type of power fueling this band’s every move, there is only one way to go, and that’s up.
Even though this is their first run out, I guarantee we haven’t seen the last of Above the Golden State, and I personally can not wait to see what they come out with next!
Above the Golden State
I love this group!! Their CD was really good!! I really like it!!!! I believe everyone should give it a chance and listen to it!! My favorite songs are "Sound of Your Name" and "I Love You So," but I listen to all of them because they are all good!!
Not even gonna lie...
...this band totally rocks. At first, I didn't think I'd really like them. But when I listened to the cd, I totally fell in love. Their songs are pretty light and upbeat. Even though they're more pop-ish sounding than the regular rock bands I listen to, their songs are really catchy. I especially love the song The Haunting. It reminds me so much of the disciple Peter (and of myself, really). Seriously, just check Above the Golden State out for yourself. You won't regret it.
I'M A FAN!!!!!
I didn't think I would be,but I am super into this band.Despite the fact that there are many other bands out there that sound very similar to Above The Golden State,it's like they bring something new and fresh to this type of music...I'M A FAN!!!!!
You simply can't go wrong with this one.
Don't be fooled by the album cover, which depicts a photo of 3 members of the band and a grizzly bear, this cd is acually pretty good.
This cd features the radio hit "Sound of Your Name".
A cool pop/rock sound with soothing vocals make this cd a keeper. All of the songs on this cd are pretty nice but the one's that really touched me were "Love", beautiful music and "Chapter 13", an instrumental piece with a voice in the background quoting the thirteenth chapter of 1 Cor., I absolutely loved that one.
If you like artists such as Rush of Fools or Tenth Avenue North then check this band out.
Above The Golden State [Above The Golden State]
The band, Above the Golden State, marks out a space for themselves inside the CCM industry with the release of their unique, self-titled, debut album. This album combines classic, up-beat West Coast-style acoustic, rock-pop sounds with moving, reflective songs of praise and worship. The lyrics are simple and clear, yet deep and introspective. While folksy and soulful, Above the Golden State is at its core authentic and environmental. This is one of those rare albums you’ll want to sit back and experience straight through from beginning to end. It’s upbeat and trendy at times, while moody and melodious at others.
Above the Golden State reflects on life and God and the impact of His Word (referenced so frequently throughout the album). With this release, the band offers listeners a sense of Christianity at peace with itself. There’s no rebellion here, only a humble gratefulness, desperation and awe. That approach is truly refreshing in an industry where artists can sometimes toe the line between secularism and their own core beliefs. While I’m usually not one for song-by-song reviews, I want to detail a few of my personal favorites in the hopes that you’ll...
