I was reading in the latest issue of Rolling Stone (#1090) where they were discussing how some artists are releasing EPs instead of the standard LP.
For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, an EP is an Extended Play/7" Record.
This was common during the 70's and 80s when Punk bands would fill it with 5-7 tracks and sell it to get the word out about their music.
A lot of music stores refused to sell Demos, so the EP was created as an alternative to the 45 Single (containing 2 tracks).
I remember as a DJ, when CD Singles started to be released, you could get a few EPs.
They were mostly considered singles, but contained several remixes.
Irish Rap/Hip-Hop group House of Pain released an EP with 3 remixes of Jump Around, and another track.
I was DJing at the time and had no idea what EPs were until an associate at a music store explained it to me.
She said that a lot of bands were releasing extended singles, since there was more room for them.
I remember when Alice In Chains released their EP "Jar of Flies.
" This was in 1994, and it actually hit #1 on the Billboard Chart.
After seeing the success of AIC's EP, Jay-Z and Linkin Park released one, also hitting #1 on Billboard.
So what about a comeback? Acts like Miley Cyrus, Radio Head, Modest Mouse and a few others have released EPs this year.
Miley has sold over 525,000 copies of her EP (containing 7 tracks)...
that speaks for itself! With teenagers accessing iTunes and purchasing only the songs they like, it makes you wonder if the LPs are starting to fade.
As a huge music fan (my taste in music is very wide-range), I'm all for the EP.
Nowadays, it seems like these labels are forcing artists to release, release, release! Some artists feel like a slave to the grind, and just want to take a break.
As most of you know, Kenny Chesney announced he's taking 2010 off and not doing a tour.
You really can't blame him, he's been going full steam for the past couple of years, I don't see how he did it.
Additionally, EPs can be released on iTunes for a cheaper price (Foo Fighters are expected to release a Greatest Hits EP, later in November.
The EP will contain 4 tracks and a video; this will be on my list!) I'll be completely honest, if I were an artist, and I didn't have enough material to record a full album, I'd choose the EP route.
Why? It's pretty simple, actually.
I would release the EP to my fans, and give them a taste of what I've been working on.
This would allow me to do more and not be stuck in the studio for 4-6 months.
Some artists can't really afford to spend the cash on a full album, and an EP would be the way to go, just to see what people think.
EPs are a cheap way to gain a fan base or grow your existing one-perfect if you're planning a big tour.