• Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Oct 23, 2001
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. This is a return to the sound of Sixteen Stone, complete with big, grandiose production propelled by ballsy grunge riffs and real hooks in the guitars and vocals.
  2. Golden State is, inevitably, rather good.
  3. Gavin Rossdale's delicious rasp is still unequivocally sexy, but his melodies are rote versions of the same old song.
  4. Spin
    60
    Golden State merely sounds like Bush--not as buffed as 1999's The Science of Things, but slicker than 1996's Razorblade Suitcase. [Dec 2001, p.152]
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Another sturdy set of radio-ready rock. [26 Oct 2001, p.124]
  6. Alternative Press
    60
    There is little on Golden State to differentiate it from its predecessors. [Dec 2001, p.76]
  7. 'Golden State' is easily the band's most accomplished record and should stand as one of the best British rock albums of 2001.
  8. The lyrics are as trite and cheesy as ever, but age and playing house with No Doubt's Gwen Stefani have mellowed model-esque frontman Rossdale.
  9. 70
    Whatever its negligible shortcomings, Golden State at least serves to inject a depth of vision to what formerly was a rather one-dimensional musical entity.
  10. The album may not break much new ground, but the band's performance is more dynamic than on previous releases.
  11. Sadly, nothing about the unspectacular Golden State will save them from the Where Are They Now? file.
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 21
  2. Negative: 3 out of 21
  1. Feb 4, 2021
    8
    While not Bush's best work, still a very strong showing. Sadly, this would ultimately be the last album from the band's original lineup. SomeWhile not Bush's best work, still a very strong showing. Sadly, this would ultimately be the last album from the band's original lineup. Some standout tracks include The People That We Love, Land of the Living, Float, Inflatable, and Hurricane. Full Review »
  2. AlexA
    Jul 10, 2009
    9
    This album may be bush's worst, but it is still a great album.
  3. JonathanH
    Dec 9, 2006
    0
    ugh - this album is awful, I loved THE SCIENCE OF THINGS it was an incredible album, it sounded unlike anything they'd ever done and ugh - this album is awful, I loved THE SCIENCE OF THINGS it was an incredible album, it sounded unlike anything they'd ever done and sadly was their last great musical statement, this album is sooooo clich'ed. And what even sadder is that INSTITUTE are now finished and GAVIN ROSSDALE (leadman) could now be done. Perhaps he should of asked anyone if the songs off the last two records were actually any good. Full Review »