The EP: What's Holding You Back, Little Buddy?

[hmxhenry]

I'm a big fan of the EP format (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extended_play), but I'm curious as to why EP's aren't more commonplace in the mainstream.

I listen to a lot of punk / hardcore, and the EP seems ideal for the genre: cheaper to produce and distribute than a full album, you can cram a half a dozen (or more) short songs onto a 7", and your initial release is ready to sell (even if it is basically a demo tape you've put to vinyl).

Does the EP work better for punk / hardcore because the songs are so short? Some of my favorite releases of the last 10 years can be listened to in less time it takes me to take a shower. In a genre where it's not uncommon for a full length album to clock in at less than half an hour, the EP provides maximum punch in minimal time. Classic hardcore EPs like Minor Threat's Filler or Black Flag's Nervous Breakdown prove the impact an EP can carry: more weight than a single but none of the clutter of a full album.

The EP has made little impact in other genres though. Dance music, techno, hip hop and industrial have all occasionally flirted with the EP, though a great deal of that material has been remixes or covers rather than more original output. You'll sometimes see EPs for more mainstream artists, but I would have thought that the limited number of songs required, the ease of production, and the lower price point would be more appealing to both bands and consumers.

So what's holding the EP back?

[Lolicat]

EPs are cool, but I guess they're not as popular because they don't allow a big record company to saturate the market with over 9000 videos and promotions, and thus smaller bands don't really think to use them themselves, although with the internet a sort of EP format is used often...

[WingsOfSteel]

I'm guessing standard consumers don't like the feeling that they get less and will pass up a tightly done EP for a full album that's half-filler.

[Alright_Computer]

I think it's pretty common practice for bands to release an EP before their debut album hits, whether there's a month or several years separating the two releases. Those EPs may not sell like hotcakes at first, but they sell a bunch if the artist ever hits it big. They even become much sought-after collector's items if they ever go out of print.

That being said, I generally love EPs and eat them all up. Some bands, especially hardcore bands like you mentioned, can pull of the EP fantastically. One of my favorite bands, My Bloody Valentine, released around 7 or 8 EPs total, and they're all fantastic as well. Most of the EPs they released started off with a single song from one of their studio LPs and then had 3 or 4 other songs of new material, which is a great format IMO.

There are some EPs that I dislike because they're too short and I feel like they should've been LPs, but overall the EP is a great format that should've caught on more than it did.

[ImHotterThanYou]

I really would like some Zeppelin EP'S.

[Cubecubed]

i have a couple EP's

Silversun Pickups-Pikul

Shabutie-The Penelope EP

im not really sure why they aren't more popular.

[XacharyCross]

Well, with the advent CD's as the major product, folks probably question leaving that much blank space (Not that a lot of bands haven't been producing ridiculously short albums).

There's potential for EPs (in a sense) as digital distribution ever increases resulting in tighter releases (in theory) since the filler won't sell anyhow in systems where people can pick and choose tracks..

Or if the vinyl comeback gets really mainstream again.

[Lolicat]

Or if the vinyl comeback gets really mainstream again.

Don't worry, it won't. There's no such thing as a vinyl comeback. It's merely a renewed interest in the form because enough time has passed that it's now a novelty for a new group of consumers, and old collectors still want it. We'll never go back to vinyl.

[a21schizoidman]

i think it's just the fact that they are generally lesser known than an LP, and most people view an EP almost as a single, plus the fact that sometimes it's harder to find an EP compared to an LP

[ImHotterThanYou]

Do zeppelin ep's exist?

[Lolicat]

i think it's just the fact that they are generally lesser known than an LP, and most people view an EP almost as a single, plus the fact that sometimes it's harder to find an EP compared to an LP

Nowadays singles may as well be EPs, save for the fact that the 7 remixes tend to all be of the same song.

[a21schizoidman]

Nowadays singles may as well be EPs, save for the fact that the 7 remixes tend to all be of the same song.

exactly, that's why for a long time i was put off by EPs (now i have a couple, only one physical copy though [King Crimson's Vroom])

[afterstasis]

i'm a pretty big fan of the EP, especially when it comes to music that generally goes down better in smaller doses (punk, noise, etc.).

on the other hand, i'm not big on EP's that are don't offer anything other than a single that can also be found on an LP and nothing else but remixes or alternate takes.

[hmxhenry]

I'm guessing standard consumers don't like the feeling that they get less and will pass up a tightly done EP for a full album that's half-filler.

An example of the "MORE = BETTER" mentality? Maybe. It makes sense. But I'd think that the lower cost and occasional higher quality would make up for the fact that you're not getting 30 songs. Also, somewhat off topic, I loathe the double lp format. My short attention span may be causing a bias here.


I think it's pretty common practice for bands to release an EP before their debut album hits...

There are some EPs that I dislike because they're too short and I feel like they should've been LPs, but overall the EP is a great format that should've caught on more than it did.

I could only think of a handful of major bands that have used the ep in the last few years, and even then most of them were live sets or the single, a remix or two and maybe one new track. Definitely point me towards any quality mainstream EPs of late. I'm much more likely to get into a band with a good short introduction rather than a long winded speech.

I love the feeling of wanting more after a good EP. I'll maybe only listen to an LP all the way through once at first listen, but I'll spin an EP half a dozen times in a row before I get sick or it.


Well, with the advent CD's as the major product, folks probably question leaving that much blank space (Not that a lot of bands haven't been producing ridiculously short albums).

Or if the vinyl comeback gets really mainstream again.

Vinyl probably makes a huge difference in how I view EPs. An EP will use up every second of a 7", AND it will come on beautiful colored vinyl in an awesome jacket. Even some recent EPs pressed on CD have shown innovative use of the blank space. I've gotten cds with screen prints and stamps over the dead disc space and mini disks in cool little pouches.



on the other hand, i'm not big on EP's that are don't offer anything other than a single that can also be found on an LP and nothing else but remixes or alternate takes.

It was the Nine Inch Nails EPs that really turned me off to this. "Oh, it's that one song I like... and 5 other less cool versions of that song". It was so frustrating. I just don't have that much interest in the same story told six different ways.

[Alright_Computer]

I could only think of a handful of major bands that have used the ep in the last few years, and even then most of them were live sets or the single, a remix or two and maybe one new track. Definitely point me towards any quality mainstream EPs of late. I'm much more likely to get into a band with a good short introduction rather than a long winded speech.

I love the feeling of wanting more after a good EP. I'll maybe only listen to an LP all the way through once at first listen, but I'll spin an EP half a dozen times in a row before I get sick or it.

Well, I'm not talking about huge mainstream bands here, though I'm sure there are a few examples of those. I'm more referring to more obscure bands signed to indie labels. From what I've seen, it's pretty common for an indie band to release an EP of 4-5 songs to build up some hype for the actual album release. A few bands off the top of my head that did this on an indie label and later achieved larger success are the Verve, Pixies, Lush, and Sonic Youth, though those releases aren't exactly recent. In fact, I can't really think of any EPs released within the last couple of years that I've actually enjoyed thoroughly, but that may just be from a lack of searching more than anything else.

When done well, though, EPs are definitely a great treat to listen to, especially since they usually lack the filler LP releases commonly have. For example, I enjoy the Verve's debut EP more than any of their studio releases even though it's a good 20 or 30 minutes shorter. (the fact that I don't like the Britpop direction they took after their first LP helps that fact too, I guess)

[willdabeast21]

Alice in Chains put out some sick EPs
That being said, I'm not a huge fan of the format, but I haven't really looked into it that extremely to be honest

[chumsicles]

EP's are neat and all, but I hate the feeling of wanting more that I get when I listen to EP's (especially Black Flag's first 3 EP's) and I think a whole album truly displays what an artist can (or cannot) do at their full potential. A band may have made a few great EP's, but if if that band can carry a whole album with that same quality, then they truly are a great band




Do zeppelin ep's exist?

No. I'm surprised that such a seemingly huge fan of Zeppelin like yourself didn't know that

[Mystlyfe77]

EPs are great, and have a definite purpose. Especially to "album listeners" like myself who want a smaller dose of something. They also provide artists great ways to build hype for full-length LP/full albums and in general.

But, I typically prefer "full-lengths" to EPs. I'm also big on concept albums and prog though (and I'm an "album listener").

I generally prefer my bands to release both EPs and LPs. And I'm glad many of my favorites do.

[instantdeath999]

I love EP's. They can either be extensions of their albums, or they could be separate ideas, a way for a band to experiment outside of their comfort zone.

Alice in Chains Jar of Flies proves EP's have potential (I believe, to this day, only EP to ever hit #1 on the charts)... if done right, they could really work.

[HeyRiles]

They certainly are rare these days, EPs are. The most recent one that I can even think of that is relatively known is Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Is Is EP. It was pretty darn good though, just too short

...Hm. Maybe that's the problem, they are too short for people to be overly excited about them

[instantdeath999]

They certainly are rare these days, EPs are. The most recent one that I can even think of that is relatively known is Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Is Is EP. It was pretty darn good though, just too short

...Hm. Maybe that's the problem, they are too short for people to be overly excited about them

Singles still outsell albums though, so I don't think it's length. To be honest, I'd say 3 out of 4 people don't even know what an EP is.

[Lolicat]

EP's are neat and all, but I hate the feeling of wanting more that I get when I listen to EP's (especially Black Flag's first 3 EP's) and I think a whole album truly displays what an artist can (or cannot) do at their full potential. A band may have made a few great EP's, but if if that band can carry a whole album with that same quality, then they truly are a great band

I disagree here. There are some artists for whom the EP might be the best format. It's like authors; some write short stories or novellas which are brilliant, but cannot write a full novel, and vice versa. While it might be nice to have more from your favourite band, I'd rather have the quality than the quantity.

[Buffdog18]

OMFG!

Henry spoke about something other than RB, first time I've ever seen this.

Anyway, mainstream usually has same company so that could have something to do with it.

[Mystlyfe77]

OMFG!

Henry spoke about something other than RB, first time I've ever seen this.

Henry talks about punk and hardcore all the time. :rolleyes:

[Quinarvy]

I'll go with the "I don't care the format, as long as its good" opinion

[Soror_YZBL]

I like EP's at big-bill shows, because you can buy one from each band without spending all your cash. :) Seriously, you see 4 punk bands and each one of them is begging you to buy their cd so they can get gas money home, what are you gonna do?

[a21schizoidman]

I like EP's at big-bill shows, because you can buy one from each band without spending all your cash. :) Seriously, you see 4 punk bands and each one of them is begging you to buy their cd so they can get gas money home, what are you gonna do?

they could follow your tips for getting cash fast :p

[Soror_YZBL]

they could follow your tips for getting cash fast :p

damn, that's cold.

[Bub]

i have a couple EP's

Silversun Pickups-Pikul

Shabutie-The Penelope EP

im not really sure why they aren't more popular.

How is Pikul?

[afterstasis]

How is Pikul?

pikul's great. it has my favorite song of theirs (kissing families), and the rest of it's on par with carnavas.

[a21schizoidman]

damn, that's cold.

i have a black soul

[timmay9]

EP's when done right are awesome. Pikul is a great example of a band that is now in the mainstream.

[hmxhenry]

EP's when done right are awesome. Pikul is a great example of a band that is now in the mainstream.

I like Silversun Pickups but have a hard time getting into Carnavas consistently because so much of it is that kind of spacey, dreamlike shoegazey stuff. I'm curious to see if it works for me more in a more digestible format. I will investigate this Pikul.

Another reason EPs fit so comfortably with me is because the length is ideal for shorter activities. I love albums that are the perfect length, and if I can find an EP that lasts exactly as long as my walk to work then I am stoked.