“Hallelujah I'm a Bum" is a ballad that strikes a chord with me, tapping into a certain freedom, in someone else's eyes during the summer months. There's also an immense amount of pain in this one, and the slide guitar in this song is a great touch. “Money Is A World Wide Web" is an attention grabbing title and the quirky lyrics are just as witty as you might think: “You think you're made of stardust, but stars are made in my machine." The song touches on the ironies and idiosyncrasies of today's techno-consumer culture.
“Up On The Roof" is a great cover of the soul classic. Though the original can't be replaced, this is a different take that creates something new and unique, adding some complexities in the rhythm variations and great organ and guitar that turn this from soul into soulful rock. This song hits that sweet spot inside, similar to the way the original does or fellow soul classic “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay." The yearning, melodic rock guitar and organ play in the fashion of these '60s classics but end in an epic jam. This is an unique cover that will resonate with anyone living in a major metropolis.
It really is a shame how young novices flood the stereos and earphones of Americans, while seasoned veterans get less attention. Luckily, the Internet has somewhat leveled the playing field and opened up possibilities in popular music, presenting fans with options and expanding musical horizons like Cold River.
