Why do bands release E.P.'s?

musicismylife78
musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
edited November 2007 in Other Music
I own thousands of cd’s, collected over many years. Not a single one of them is an E.P. Whats the deal with bands releasing E.P.’s? Why not release a full album? Maybe I am odd here. Does anyone else here not buy E.P.’s? I also cant think of any good E.P.’s beyond maybe Jars of Flies by Alice in Chains. Beyond that, I cant think of anything else worthwhile. In fact, it seems to me, I avoid buying E.P.’s, in my mind they are a waste of money. A band should release only LP’s. Its always frustrating, especially with non label bands, non signed bands, you go to a local show, and they are an awesome band, and you go to their merch table, and they only have E.P’s.
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  • JOEJOEJOE
    JOEJOEJOE Posts: 10,825
    radiohead33 wrote:
    I own thousands of cd’s, collected over many years. Not a single one of them is an E.P. Whats the deal with bands releasing E.P.’s? Why not release a full album? Maybe I am odd here. Does anyone else here not buy E.P.’s? I also cant think of any good E.P.’s beyond maybe Jars of Flies by Alice in Chains. Beyond that, I cant think of anything else worthwhile. In fact, it seems to me, I avoid buying E.P.’s, in my mind they are a waste of money. A band should release only LP’s. Its always frustrating, especially with non label bands, non signed bands, you go to a local show, and they are an awesome band, and you go to their merch table, and they only have E.P’s.

    Some bands may not have the dough to record a full cd, or, they don't have enough material.

    In the old days, record labels often released EPs so that they could get a feel for how well a band may sell before they provided a budget for an entire lp.

    Also, if a band is between albums, and they really want to get a few new songs released, EPS are a great method.
  • surferdude
    surferdude Posts: 2,057
    I wish more bands would release EP's. I find the time between albums now to be ridiculous. It's hard to grow with a band when they're trhe and four years between albums. I'd gladly accept a 6 song EP every 6-9 months with maybe 3 or 4 new tracks and some live tracks.

    In the Stones, Zeppelin and Beatles hey days they were putting out albums every 6-9 months. Are the new bands so bad that they need 3-4 years to make new music?
    “One good thing about music,
    when it hits you, you feel to pain.
    So brutalize me with music.”
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  • norm
    norm Posts: 31,146
    surferdude wrote:
    Are the new bands so bad that they need 3-4 years to make new music?


    yes....:)


    i miss 7" and 12" vinyl ep's....:)
  • transplant
    transplant Posts: 1,088
    I wish bands would put more out as well. I like the focus of putting out 4 songs as opposed to putting out 14 with a couple fillers here and there.

    I always finish an EP wanting MORE. Seldom do I feel that way after sitting through a whole album, which I rarely do anymore.

    I mean, Black Flag - Nervous Breakdown. 4 songs 4:04 seconds later, I got my fix in, move on to something else. I like that.

    I also like the fact there are usually cover songs on them. (new Ryan Adams for example). In fact, I wish all artists took a page from him in musical output.
  • intodeep
    intodeep Posts: 7,249
    Good ep's-

    Alice in Chains- Jar of Flies
    Alice in Chains- Sap

    Ryan Adams- Follow the Light

    The Mars Volta-Tremulant

    Minus the Bear- They Make Beer Commercials Like this

    Radiohead- My Iron Lung

    Those are the one's that jump to mind immediatly
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  • The Severed Hand
    The Severed Hand Posts: 214
    All time fave E.P. is Tool - Opiate

    Their first release which included a couple live tracks and the song "Opiate" Which never appeared anywhere else and is one of my favorite songs.
  • itsevobaby
    itsevobaby Posts: 1,809
    alice in chains - sap
    tool - opiate
    smashing pumpkins - zero
    polyphonic spree - wait
    nada surf - karmic
    jimmy eat world - stay on my side tonight
    pearl jam - merkinball
    pearl jam - live at easy street
    tripping daisy - the tops of our head
    radiohead - itch
    radiohead - my iron lung
    radiohead - comlag

    and those are just off the top of my head (excuse the TD pun :o )

    most of these are compilations of work that don't quite fit anywhere else, or bands are tieing up loose ends from a specific recording period before embarking on a full studio effort.
    Look Alive,
    See These Bones
  • facepollution
    facepollution Posts: 6,834
    You say they are a waste of money, but they are usually cheaper than an album, so what's the issue?
  • Rhinocerous Surprise
    Rhinocerous Surprise Posts: 4,423
    Don't forget A Stitch in Time, by the Twilight Singers. Not just an excellent piece of work in and of itself, but it's also something of a preview for the Gutter Twins, which is probably one of the most exciting things ever.:D
    Smokey Robinson constantly looks like he's trying to act natural after being accused of farting.
  • facepollution
    facepollution Posts: 6,834
    Rhinocerous Surprise wrote:
    Don't forget A Stitch in Time, by the Twilight Singers. Not just an excellent piece of work in and of itself, but it's also something of a preview for the Gutter Twins, which is probably one of the most exciting things ever.:D

    Oh hell yeah! That record really can't come soon enough.
  • Blind Melon
    Blind Melon Posts: 911
    Guster - "Satellite EP"
    Sigur Rós - "Sæglópur EP"
    Arcade Fire - "Arcade Fire [EP]"
    At the Drive-In - "Vaya (EP)"
    Incubus - "Enjoy Incubus [EP]"
    Modest Mouse - "Everywhere and his Nasty Parlour Tricks (EP)"

    EPs are amazing... they might be too short, but usually, all the tracks are stand-out tracks, to which all of the ones above, have.
    If I could, think I would give in.
  • soulsinging
    soulsinging Posts: 13,202
    tv on the radio- young liars
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    i like that bands release EPs. i'd rather fork out the money for an EP than a single. though i do buy singles too. and as someone mentioned, sometimes at merch stands EPs are all the band can afford to produce. :)
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  • mattosborne
    mattosborne Posts: 339
    I love EP's. If done correctly, they can really provide an album like experience. Ryan Adam's last EP is some great stuff. I think the idea behind the EP is like someone mentioned above me, maybe the artist couldn't afford an entire release. The more likely scenario is the artist felt some inspiration in between sessions, recorded 4 or 5 tunes on a whim and decided they had enough charactar to merit release.
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  • reznors edge
    reznors edge Posts: 136
    favorate EP ever: NIN's Broken
    It may not have much, but it sure kicks butt. Serves as a prequel to Downward Spiral while Trent was having contract problems with his label.
    I consider it some of his best work, ever. It's as loud and angry as any of the overhyped "grunge" albums during that era.
  • allforcarrie
    allforcarrie Posts: 60
    The Severed Hand wrote:
    All time fave E.P. is Tool - Opiate

    Their first release which included a couple live tracks and the song "Opiate" Which never appeared anywhere else and is one of my favorite songs.


    Indeed totaly awesome!
    model, role model, roll some models in blood
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    allforcarrie wrote:
    Indeed totaly awesome!

    yeah! throw those bob marley wannabe motherfuckers out of here. :)
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • JPS79
    JPS79 Posts: 148
    nin-broken
    aic-sap,jof
    gnr-lies
    tool-opiate
    all great ep's
    Seems the more you make
    equals the loneliness you get
  • bayleaf
    bayleaf Posts: 128
    the EP is my favourite format for music to be in actually :-)
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  • Blyss
    Blyss Posts: 166
    The ones i have i think are all made from bands starting out and i think they didn't have enough material, i don't understand why not wait and put out an album really though.

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