Are Extended Plays less important than actual albums?
-
- Different Class
- Posts: 327
- Joined: Sat Jul 05, 2014 1:43 pm
Are Extended Plays less important than actual albums?
I was curious about this. It seems like, you couldn't even make a short list of the most acclaimed EPs of all time, since there's very few "best EPs" lists out there. The closest thing you have is RateYourMusic's EP section. I feel like EPs are often viewed as side-projects or distractions from the "bigger" and "more ambitious" work.
Re: Are Extended Plays less important than actual albums?
I just list EPs along with LPs.
Though I get the impression in most cases EPs are meant to be testing the new idea they have for their next LP.
Though I get the impression in most cases EPs are meant to be testing the new idea they have for their next LP.
-
- Into the Groove
- Posts: 2046
- Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 8:33 pm
- Location: The Hague, The Netherlands
Re: Are Extended Plays less important than actual albums?
Depends what the artist envisioned for the EP.
For acts like Autechre and Burial, EPs are definitely quite important. EPs are more of a go-to format for electronic artists anyway.
For acts like Autechre and Burial, EPs are definitely quite important. EPs are more of a go-to format for electronic artists anyway.
Re: Are Extended Plays less important than actual albums?
EPs I do not consider any different from LPs.
A five song set can be just as meaningful as a ten song set.
My favorite EP, Jar of Flies, feels just right in its length and never outstays its welcome. It feels like a fine listen at any time and for twenty minutes, moves like a real album.
A five song set can be just as meaningful as a ten song set.
My favorite EP, Jar of Flies, feels just right in its length and never outstays its welcome. It feels like a fine listen at any time and for twenty minutes, moves like a real album.
" Ah, yes! Our meager restitution"
Re: Are Extended Plays less important than actual albums?
I stand by my belief that the You Made Me Realise EP is head and shoulders above Isn't Anything, and if it were a full length album, would be in the acclaimed top 200.
Re: Are Extended Plays less important than actual albums?
I think one problem when discussing EPs is that a lot of them have their biggest tracks absorbed into the band's later albums. A few bands even release a collection of their EPs as their first 'album' (for example, The Beta Band has The Three EP's). I imagine this makes it hard for critics to discuss. It would be strange to have both The Three EP's as its own entity alongside the parts that make it up; I wonder how Henrik would handle such a situation, since it would essentially be the same work listed twice.
If it wasn't for this fact, I think EPs would be more widely discussed. Perhaps there is an expectation that these smaller records will simply be re-utilized by the band? Thus critics ignore those EPs that actually do consist entirely of unique work.
If it wasn't for this fact, I think EPs would be more widely discussed. Perhaps there is an expectation that these smaller records will simply be re-utilized by the band? Thus critics ignore those EPs that actually do consist entirely of unique work.
Re: Are Extended Plays less important than actual albums?
I agree with this 100%, and would also like to add In a Beautiful Place Out in the Country by Boards of Canada and Slow Riot for New Zero Kanada by Godspeed You! Black Emperor to the same level.Jonathon wrote:I stand by my belief that the You Made Me Realise EP is head and shoulders above Isn't Anything, and if it were a full length album, would be in the acclaimed top 200.
Re: Are Extended Plays less important than actual albums?
I think it would be awesome to have an EP poll.
-
- Let's Get It On
- Posts: 170
- Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2016 11:39 pm
Re: Are Extended Plays less important than actual albums?
In general, I believe that yes. The EPs aren't much more than a single. A single have two musics. A EP also don't have much musics: generally just 4 musics.
User of RYM #507651