Double EP
Encyclopedia
A double extended play
(double EP) is the name typically given to vinyl records or CD
s released as a set of two discs, each of which would normally qualify as an EP. The name is thus analogous to double album
. As vinyl records, they may consist of a pair of 7" discs recorded at 33rpm, or two 12" discs recorded at 45rpm.
Double EPs are rare, since the amount of material recordable on a double EP could usually be more economically and sensibly recorded on a single LP
. There are a limited number of double EPs which serve other purposes, however. An example of this is the Dunedin Double EP
, which contains tracks by four different bands. Using a double EP in this instance allowed each band to have its tracks occupying a different side. In addition, the groove on the physical record could be wider and thus allow for a louder album.
The format is also useful when an album's-worth of material is being pressed by a small plant geared for the production of singles rather than albums. The unusual format also has novelty value which can be turned to advantage for publicity purposes.
One well-known double EP is the original release of The Beatles
' Magical Mystery Tour, originally released as a double 7" EP before being extended from its original six songs and released as a full album. In the 1950s, US record company Capitol
had released a number of double EPs by its more popular artists, including Les Paul
. The pair of double EPs (EBF 1-577, sides 1 to 8!) were described on the original covers as "parts... of a four part album". In 1960, Joe Meek
's I Hear A New World
Double EP was released. It is one of the rarest double EPs available.
The Style Council album The Cost of Loving
was originally issued as two 12" EPs.
An example of something that is close, but not a double EP, is Jon Foreman's solo Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer EP combos. They were not technically referred to as double EP's, because they are on separate discs, although they were in the same package.
It is becoming less uncommon to release two 12" 45s rather than a single 12" LP. Though there are 11 songs that total about 40 minutes, enough for one LP, the songs are spread across 2 12" 45 RPM discs. Also, the vinyl pressing of Hail to the Thief
by Radiohead
uses this practice but is considered to be a full length album.
Also, when CD singles began to be released with two different track listings, titled "CD 1" and "CD 2", the 'CD 1' packaging usually contained a case which had another "claw" (CD tray) in the case, to hold another disc (in this case the 'CD 2'). A good example of this is "Chemical World
" by Blur
.
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
(double EP) is the name typically given to vinyl records or CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
s released as a set of two discs, each of which would normally qualify as an EP. The name is thus analogous to double album
Double album
A double album is an audio album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically records and compact discs....
. As vinyl records, they may consist of a pair of 7" discs recorded at 33rpm, or two 12" discs recorded at 45rpm.
Double EPs are rare, since the amount of material recordable on a double EP could usually be more economically and sensibly recorded on a single LP
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
. There are a limited number of double EPs which serve other purposes, however. An example of this is the Dunedin Double EP
Dunedin Double EP
The Dunedin Double EP was a seminal record in New Zealand music. An unusual format, it contain two 45rpm 12" discs, and at nearly 50 minutes length, it is longer than many albums....
, which contains tracks by four different bands. Using a double EP in this instance allowed each band to have its tracks occupying a different side. In addition, the groove on the physical record could be wider and thus allow for a louder album.
The format is also useful when an album's-worth of material is being pressed by a small plant geared for the production of singles rather than albums. The unusual format also has novelty value which can be turned to advantage for publicity purposes.
One well-known double EP is the original release of The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' Magical Mystery Tour, originally released as a double 7" EP before being extended from its original six songs and released as a full album. In the 1950s, US record company Capitol
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
had released a number of double EPs by its more popular artists, including Les Paul
Les Paul
Lester William Polsfuss —known as Les Paul—was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which made the sound of rock and roll possible. He is credited with many recording innovations...
. The pair of double EPs (EBF 1-577, sides 1 to 8!) were described on the original covers as "parts... of a four part album". In 1960, Joe Meek
Joe Meek
Robert George "Joe" Meek was a pioneering English record producer and songwriter....
's I Hear A New World
I Hear a New World
I Hear a New World - an Outer Space Music Fantasy is a concept album devised and composed by Joe Meek and performed by The Blue Men in 1959. It was partially released in 1960 and completely released in 1991 by RPM Records...
Double EP was released. It is one of the rarest double EPs available.
The Style Council album The Cost of Loving
The Cost of Loving
The Cost of Loving is an album from the band The Style Council, released in 1987. This album saw the group concentrating on the R&B styles that had been growing in America during the eighties...
was originally issued as two 12" EPs.
An example of something that is close, but not a double EP, is Jon Foreman's solo Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer EP combos. They were not technically referred to as double EP's, because they are on separate discs, although they were in the same package.
It is becoming less uncommon to release two 12" 45s rather than a single 12" LP. Though there are 11 songs that total about 40 minutes, enough for one LP, the songs are spread across 2 12" 45 RPM discs. Also, the vinyl pressing of Hail to the Thief
Hail to the Thief
Hail to the Thief is the sixth studio album by the English rock band Radiohead, released in June 2003 through Parlophone Records. After two Radiohead albums that featured heavily processed vocals, less guitar, and strong influence from experimental electronica and jazz, Hail to the Thief was seen...
by Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
uses this practice but is considered to be a full length album.
Also, when CD singles began to be released with two different track listings, titled "CD 1" and "CD 2", the 'CD 1' packaging usually contained a case which had another "claw" (CD tray) in the case, to hold another disc (in this case the 'CD 2'). A good example of this is "Chemical World
Chemical World
"Chemical World" is a song by English alternative rock band Blur, featured on their second album Modern Life Is Rubbish . It was released on 28 June 1993 as the second single from that album, equalling their previous release "For Tomorrow" at number 28 in the UK Singles Charts...
" by Blur
Blur (band)
Blur is an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing...
.