Singer/songwriter Joe Goodkin has released Record of Loss, the follow up to his 2015 achievement, Record of Life. It is the second in a trilogy of EPs; look for the third, Record of Love, later this year. I expect (or at least hope) that the future release will be as healing as this one is emotionally raw.

Record of Loss is six songs, story songs of family and friends in varying degrees of emotional and physical mortality. The lyrics are profound and often supported by the seemingly simplest of musical choices.  The track “For The Loss” carries with it an underlying orchestration that gives it the power of a bagpipe-drenched funeral ceremony. The fragility of the subjects at hand suddenly become steely and able to withstand even the most brutal of observations as a result of Joe Goodkin’s honesty (and deft guitar playing).

Heartbreak has no beginning and no end. What Joe Goodkin has done with it is treat it with the respect that it deserves, considering what a sizable role it can play in our lives. He has come up with a song cycle that caresses and soothes the sometimes inevitable pain. In its own way, it is a welcome Valentine unlike any other.

To preview or purchase this album on iTunes, click here.