Lethbridge modern rock band the Void are back  with a brand new CD  “RobotSpaceLove.”
While playing live they have a very strong Smashing Pumpkins’ mid-’90s alt rock sound, it is not as prevalent as I thought it would be on their new CD.

 Instead it is a solid collection of mostly mid-tempo, melodic alt-rockers.

 There is plenty of catchy rhythm guitar and the odd solo plus yelping vocals from Jon Vornbrock, who  definitely shows a Smashing Pumpkins’  Billy Corgan influence.

 The  track “Everyone” begins with a tender arpeggiated riff then breaks into a wall of distortion like many of a grunge and post grunge band did back in the way.
“Robot Song From Robot Son” is in a similar vein, though slower.

 They pick up the tempo a lot on “Knife to the Heart,” one of the heavier tracks on the CD.
“Lucy” s the most angst ridden of the collection while “Love and Distortion is among the slowest.
 they end on another angst ridden note with “Love Trips,” on which Vornbrock shows he has a powerful scream.
 It is a great sounding recording. So if you like modern, ’90s  style, grunge influenced rock, then you will thoroughly enjoy the Void’s  new CD ”Robotspacelove.”

 CD: RobotSpaceLove
Band: The Void
 Genre: modern rock

You’ve got to give Lethbridge based Coal Creek Boys credit for ambition. Their latest  CD, Rose Town is a two CD set entitled Whiskey and Wine for the more rocking country music and their more tender, emotional singer songwriting material respectively.
The Coal Creek Boys’ calling card is to tell the stories of coal mining in  the Crowsnest Pass and Elk Valley area of southeastern B.C., where they grew up. And they do it very well.

 Both CDs include captivating stories some impressive country guitar picking and frontman John Paul Smith’s booming voice which sounds like Bruce Springsteen singing about coal miners.
 The first CD is eight upbeat country rockers with lots of superb guitar and fascinating stories which not only show where the band  comes from musically, but also gives the audience a taste of their live show. The songs range from shorter songs like the Waylon Jenningsish “Bad Man” and “Carrie Nation,” two of the CD's highlights and longer jams like the seven minute opus “Rosetown,” which begins the CD and another outstanding  epic, “Bootlegger,” which ends the CD.

His stories would be better served if  Smith’s voice not only had less reverb on it, but was a little louder as he is often lost behind his guitar.
 But as always on Coal Creek Boys, secondary instruments usually played by Dino Scavo, make the CD for me. In this case the sizzling mandolin solo on “Bad Man.”

 I love the Ozark Mountain Daredevils flavour of “Carrie Nation” which has a vocal melody reminiscent of the Devils’ “Homemade Wine” and a  chunking mandolin rhythm. Another highlight  is “Summer Dress” of which the vocal hook is eerily reminiscent of Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire.”  Probably my favourite song on the first CD is the touching “G.I. Highway, which is reminiscent of Steve Earle.

Lethbridge’s singing pilot Tod Robinson with his band the Gleu are back with an outstanding second CD “The Other One.”
 It is an infectious slice of pop and rock music with elements of funk and even a touch of reggae, which  sounds mostly like a blend of Rob Thomas and Ben Folds as  Robinson plays a lot more keyboards, organ and piano on this CD.
 He has an impressive cast of local musicians  playing in this CD with Brad Brouwer and Brady Valgardson playing drums, Paul Holden, Jason Schultchen and Tyler Bird alternating on bass. Bird also plays guitar on the CD. Tyson Wiebe adds background vocals. Dino Scavo adds saxophone to a couple of tracks as well.
 Robinson  also has some very catchy and optimistic lyrics “You’ve got more beauty  than you know,” he croons on the third track  “b.soul.” “Inside” sounds like the White Stripes on piano.
“ I’ve got a first class  view of the world that keeps getting further away.” he declares on  “Mad Song,” one of several , reggae tinged highlights on the CD.
“Fireheaded Woman” is a catchy spaghetti western style tune, which will get those toes a tapping.
“ Falling” is quirky and catchy, with a cool organ driven riff reminiscent of Men Without Hats.”   complete with weird lyrics.
“The Waltz is just that, but done in a more alt country  style.
 One of my favourites is “Mindless Kiss,” which as one of the songs more reminiscent  of Ben Folds, has compelling lyrics and  a catchy piano/ keyboard riff.
 He ends the Cd on a sombre, Tom Waitsish note with “Sad Song.”
 CD: The Other One
Band: Tod Robinson and the Gleu
Genre: pop