The Civil Wars, Barton Hollow, 2011 on Sensibility Music

Debut album from John Paul White and Joy Williams, which originally came out in 2011. It's a fantastic debut - I expected to hear so much more great music from them together but unfortunately they only put out one more album (2013's self-titled The Civil Wars) before going their own ways. The title track "Barton Hollow" got a ton of play but really there are a lot of great songs on the record, growing out of the two songwriters' different approaches. (I actually wrote about them here after […]

https://goatless.org/2026/06/19/the-civil-wars-barton-hollow-2011-on-sensibility-music

Bauhaus, Press the Eject and Give Me The Tape, 1982 on Beggars Banquet

Live album from Peter Murphy, Daniel Ash, David Haskins, and David J, recorded in London and Liverpool in 1981 and 1982. I always loved this cover - a photo by Eugene Merinov - and the labels with the Bauhaus style faces in black and white. Great set of live versions, including a nine-and-a-half minute "Bela Lugosi's Dead." Also a wonderful picture sleeve. My copy—via Big Fun Records in Beverly MA—is a 2022 reissue, remastered and issued as part of The Arkive, a series celebrating 40 […]

https://goatless.org/2026/06/18/bauhaus-press-the-eject-and-give-me-the-tape-1982-on-beggars-banquet

David Bowie, Hunky Dory, 1971 on RCA Victor

Bowie's fourth full-length studio LP and one of my all-time favorites. This followed The Man Who Sold the World but all these early Bowie albums are so great they sound to me like they have just always existed. It can be hard to find decent early pressings of these but there have been many great reissues, including this one from a digital remastering done in 2015. Bowie is joined here by Mick Ronson, Woody Woodmansey, Trevor Bolder, and Rick Wakeman on piano. Purportedly Wakeman was asked […]

https://goatless.org/2026/06/17/david-bowie-hunky-dory-1971-on-rca-victor

Love and Rockets, Love and Rockets, 1989 on Beggars Banquet.

Although self-titled, this was actually the fourth LP from Love and Rockets, following after Earth Sun Moon. It was also their last for 5 years as they pursued various solo projects. "So Alive" became their biggest hit in the US and made the album their best-selling here. It's not my absolute favorite—that would be Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven—but I do still really like "No Big Deal" and "Motorcycle" as well as "So Alive." My copy—via Big Fun Records in Beverly MA—is an […]

https://goatless.org/2026/06/16/love-and-rockets-love-and-rockets-1989-on-beggars-banquet

Wet Leg, Moisturizer, 2025 on Domino

Eagerly awaited follow-up to the 2022 self-titled debut album from Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, here joined by Ellis Durand, Henry Holmes, and Joshua Mobarki. Produced by Dan Carey aka Mr. Dan. Great energy, catchy songs, and funny lyrics - no sophomore slump here. Love it from the drop. My copy—via the Record Exchange in Salem MA—is the indie clear vinyl edition.

https://goatless.org/2026/06/15/wet-leg-moisturizer-2025-on-domino

Depeche Mode, Construction Time Again, 1983 on Sire / Mute / Reprise

This was the third full length from Depeche Mode, originally released in 1983 on Mute, distributed in the US by Sire. Alan Wilder had joined and wrote two of the songs on the album. (Vince Clarke had departed after the debut album). One of my favorites, including "Love, In Itself," "More Than a Party" and "Everything Counts" just on the A-side. My copy—via Beverly Coin & Jewelry—is a 2014 reissue by Rhino & Reprise pressed at Rainbo - but it sounds great. (Same mastering as the 2007 […]

https://goatless.org/2026/06/14/depeche-mode-construction-time-again-1983-on-sire-mute-reprise

Mary Gauthier, Mercy Now, 2005 on Lost Highway

I've been a fan of Mary Gauthier since my wife heard her play in Provincetown in the winter of 1999 - she's just a fantastic songwriter and compelling performer. This was her fourth full-length, with the title track as well as "I Drink" (later covered by others including Blake Shelton). My copy—via Mystery Train Records in Gloucester MA—is a 180g vinyl pressing with inner liner.

https://goatless.org/2026/06/13/mary-gauthier-mercy-now-2005-on-lost-highway

Love and Rockets, Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven, 1985 on Beggars Banquet

Debut album for Love and Rockets, though "Ball of Confusion" preceded it as a single under that band name. I always called this "Seventh Dream of a Teenage Heaven" but clearly it isn't. Daniel Ash, David J, and Kevin Haskins crafting just a fantastic and new sound here after Bauhaus split in 1983 and after Ash and Haskins spent time as Tones on Tail. Love this album from start to finish - often find myself noodling to Saudade when playing guitar or bass. My copy—via Beverly Coin & […]

https://goatless.org/2026/06/12/love-and-rockets-seventh-dream-of-teenage-heaven-1985-on-beggars-banquet

John Lennon, Rock ‘n’ Roll, 1981 on MFP/Parlophone

Originally released in the US and UK on Apple Records in 1975, these recordings were made at A&M studios (LA) in late 1973 and the Power Plant in New York in late 1974, during Lennon's so called "lost weekend" where he was separated from Yoko Ono and doing a fair amount of drinking and drugs. These are all covers from the 50s and 60s, including Chuck Berry's "You Can't Catch Me" which Lennon copped from for "Come Together." Phil Spector produced the LA sessions but not the New York ones. […]

https://goatless.org/2026/06/11/john-lennon-rock-n-roll-1981-on-mfp-parlophone

Sonny Rollins, Sonny Rollins On Impulse!, 1965 on Impulse

Classic album, featuring Rollins with Walter Booker (bass), Mickey Roker (drums), and Ray Bryant (piano). Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in the summer of 1965. Sadly Rollins passed this May (2026) in Woodstock NY. My copy—via Mystery Train Records in Gloucester MA—is the 2021 Acoustic Sounds Series reissue, supervised by Chad Kassem, cut by Ryan Smith, and pressed at Quality Record Pressing (QRP). Sounds fantastic!

https://goatless.org/2026/06/10/sonny-rollins-sonny-rollins-on-impulse-1965-on-impulse