Extended play

:For the TV show on G4 formerly called Extended Play, see X-Play.

Related Topics:
G4 - X-Play

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An extended play or EP, is the name given to vinyl records or CDs which are too long to qualify as singles but too short to qualify as albums. Typically an album has eight or more tracks (anywhere between 30-60 minutes), a single only one or two (5-15 minutes), and an EP four to eight (or around 15-35 minutes.) Some artists, especially in the days of vinyl, have released full-length albums that could fit the definition of a modern-day EP. (See Yes's Close to the Edge and Prince's Dirty Mind as examples.) A remix single is not considered an EP unless it also has other songs on it (an EP/single hybrid). The name "extended play" has become something of a misnomer, for though it originally was used for singles that were extended beyond the standard length, it is now more often synonymous with an album that is shorter than usual; indeed EPs are sometimes referred to as "mini-albums" (see below). For this reason, among others, they are referred to as "EPs", the full name being used much more rarely.

Related Topics:
Vinyl record - CDs - Singles - Album - Yes - Close to the Edge - Prince - Dirty Mind - Remix - Hybrid

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EPs were released in various sizes in different eras. The earliest EPs were 33⅓ RPM recordings on 10" (25cm) disks, and appeared at the close of the 78 RPM era. By coincidence, the format gained wide popularity with the coming of Elvis Presley, and it is sometimes erroneously stated that the term "EP" derived from his initials.

Related Topics:
RPM - Elvis Presley

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In 1967, The Beatles released a double-EP containing all the songs from their TV film Magical Mystery Tour.

Related Topics:
The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour

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In the 1970s and 1980s there was less standardization, and EPs were made on 7" (18cm), 10", or 12" (30cm) discs running either 33⅓ or 45 RPM. Some novelty EPs used odd shapes and colours, and a few were picture discs.

Related Topics:
1970s - 1980s - Standardization - Novelty - Picture disc

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The term is also sometimes applied to compact discs with short playing times. However, since a CD can carry any amount of material up to around 80 minutes, the distinction between a CD EP and a short CD LP is somewhat arbitrary and is based on artistic and marketing factors. For example, EPs are usually released as a promo or as a method for an artist to release a collection of songs unfit for an album. Some artists prefer to use the term "mini-album" instead of "EP", bringing a stronger significance to the work instead of it being counted as a mere add-on to an artist's discography.

Related Topics:
Compact disc - Marketing - Promo

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Music fans have been divisive on whether, for example, a five-track release of 60 minutes would be considered an EP or an album; this choice is left for the artist to determine themselves. Fans of doom metal or experimental music such as Current 93 and Nurse With Wound are very familiar with albums containing a very low track count.

Related Topics:
Doom metal - Current 93 - Nurse With Wound

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