Ah, the EP, a.k.a., the "extended play" album: too long on songs to call a single, but too short to call an album. It first came to prominence in the early '80s as record labels looked for new methods to introduce this "new wave" of synth-based and heavy metal bands that lacked the name recognition to compete with 70s rock dinosaurs.
Of course, what makes the following EP's great is their historical cultural impact or importance, for reasons that obviously differ from title to title.
20. Cheap Trick - Found All The Parts
At the time that Epic got the bright idea to attempt a new series of 10" EP's, Cheap Trick was looking for a way to give fans a little something new to hold 'em over while the band wrapped up their new George Martin-produced album All Shook Up in the West Indies.
While the EP failed to set the charts aflame, it is notable for featuring the band's first Beatles cover, "Day Tripper".
Of the two new Jack Douglas-produced studio cuts included, "Take Me I'm Yours" is an absolute stunner that will leave you scratching your head as to why it never found its way to a proper LP release.
19. U2 - Wide Awake In America
Since the band owed their U.S. breakthrough to the success of their first live EP (Under A Blood Red Sky), it would only make sense that their next EP would be equally impressive. Or not,
Wide Awake In America features only four tracks (two studio outtakes and two live versions of songs from The Unforgettable Fire), but is little more than a "Bad" live 12". Even so, it sold a ton and the version of "Bad" contained herein is truly electrifying.
18. Hooters - Amore
If ever there was a band that could (and perhaps should) have bypassed the major label system, it was the Hooters, whose debut EP, Amore, had been released locally in Philly and created such a frenzy that it sold over 100,000 copies.
In fact, the band was enjoying Hootermania even as the major labels came calling and, yet, the EP doesn't actually feature any of their best-known songs. The emphasis track, strangely enough, is "All You Zombies", which never screamed "massive radio hit" to our ears. Three other cuts from this album would appear on later CBS releases, including "Blood From A Stone", which was covered by Red Rockers).
17. TIE: Combo Audio (1982) /Our Daughters Wedding - Digital Cowboy
A well-executed EP primes the radio programmers, rock media, and teenage tastemakers that something new and exciting is coming down the pipeline and that this EP is just the first taste.
In the case of Champaign, IL's Combo Audio, their self-titled EP for EMI featured the early MTV hit "Romanticide". Co-produced by The Cars/Roy Thomas Baker engineer Ian Taylor, the EP set us up for the full length album...that never came.
For NYC synth-pop band Our Daughter's Wedding, their deal with EMI cabnme about via their association with Duran Duran producer Colin Thurston, whose production here pulsates with a post-punk intensity not heard from Simon LeBon and Co..
Emphasis track "Lawnchairs" was a hit at MTV, building interest in the band's next effort. Sadly, Thurston had nothing to do with the band's full-length album, Moving Windows, which, while ambitious, failed to pack the punch of that first EP and was the last we heard from ODW.
15. Romeo Void - Never Say Never (Columbia/415)
Since EP's are predominantly a tool for breaking new bands, when a band releases an EP after they've already put out an LP, it can feel like a demotion. In the case of the four-track Never Say Never, it would appear that Columbia Records were just eager beavers to get the Ric Ocasek/Ian Taylor-produced track out as soon as possible to capitalize on The Cars' popularity.
14. Oingo Boingo - Oingo Boingo (IRS)
While this may not be the most popular opinion among the band's hardcore fanbase, whn it comes to Oingo Boingo, this four-song EP is really all you need. It has the original indie/demo versions of "Only A Lad" and a studio version of "Ain't This The Life" (also heard in live form on Urgh! A Music War double LP) that bristle with a ska/punk intensity that they never truly managed to capture in the big-time recording studios.
13. Iron Maiden - Maiden Japan (EMI)
As a youngster, I'd been reading about this new punk/metal hybrid five-piece from England.. While I was a little too apprehensive to pop for the band's full-length album the year prior, the arrival of this "introductory-priced" live EP in 1981 was just the ticket.
By the end of "Running Free", you could actually feel the arena levitating through the grooves. Truth is, I would have been the first in line when their next LP came out if they hadn't shit-canned singer Paul Di'Anno shortly after this EP's release.
12. Suburbs - Dream Hog (Mercury)
One of Twin/Tone Records' first huge successes was the Suburbs' Dream Hog EP, which spawned the indie dance hit "Waiting" and led to the band signing with Mercury Records and releasing this EP nationally.
As you can imagine, Mercury Records adoration of this legendary Minneapolis art pop band is to be admired, but their ability to promote it beyond the bottom o' the charts is non-existent. Even so, it was somewhat encouraging to see a band like the Suburbs, whose love for double albums and exhaustive album packaging make it to the big leagues. Unfortunately, they signed to a label that had no appreciation for such quirks and the first thing they gave us was an EP we already had.
Knowing how prolific this band was, the idea of Mercury expanding Dream Hog to a full-length seems like a no-brainer in hindsight. As it stands, Dream Hog is a masterful EP that, like all great parties, leaves you wanting more.
11. Billy Idol - Don't Stop
On the surface, this four-cut EP is a total cash-in attempt by Chrysalis, who had already put out two of the EP's songs ("Dancing With Myself" and "The Untouchables") while Billy was still with Gern X.
Of course, now living in New York and managed by Kiss manager Bill Aucoin, Idol is eager to launch his solo career and convinces Chrysalis to finance two new songs with producer Keith Forsey.
One of those songs is "Mony Mony" and the rest is history.
Tune in tomorrow, for Part 2 and find out which EP's made our Top 10!
Tags:
rise of the mini album