Ok, so I’ve never really been sure the definition of the EP before, but I always “knew” inside what it was, but for this post I decided to go to the all knowing wiki to find out:

An extended play (EP) is a vinyl record [CD, or music download] which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as an LP. An intermediate format between EPs and full-length LPs is the Mini-LP, which was a common album format in the 1980s generally containing 20–30 minutes of music.

This is a very short list of my favorite EPs of 2009, and it was totally dominated by Captured Tracks and Slumberland.

The Great Pumpkins favorite EPs (12″s and 10″s) of 2009

5.) The Bitters- Wooden Glove

Captured Tracks and Ben Cook (of Fucked Up// Young Governor) both make this list with Wooden Glove. I mentioned in my best of singles list that I like pretty much all of Ben Cook’s projects except the main one.  The Bitters‘ self proclaimed cave pop is pretty blissful, and something that I keep going back to.

[mp3] The Bitters- “Warriors.”

• buy it here.
• gprecs posts on the Bitters can be found here.

4.) Deerhunter- Rainwater Cassette Exchange

I was a little bit of a late comer as far as Deerhunter goes…but now I’m always happy to see a new release (or digital release…watch their blog).  Always top notch.  This EP was put out by 4AD//Kranky.

[mp3] Deerhunter- “Rainwater Cassette Exchange”

• buy it here.

3.) Dum Dum Girls- Dum Dum Girls

Lots of lo-fi girl rock this year, and Dee Dee does it better than most. Captured Tracks really did have a great first year.

[mp3] Dum Dum Girls- “Yours Alone”

• this record is out of print.
• gprecs posts on Dum Dum Girls can be found here.

2.) Pains of Being Pure at Heart- Higher Than the Stars

This record really gives the authentic 80’s vibe.  Thanks Slumberland.  This one came out in too many formats for me to keep track of (cdep, 12″, 7″, 12″remix).

[mp3] Pains of Being Pure at Heart- “Higher Than The Stars”

• buy it here (i’m specifically talking about the normal 12″ version, but i’m sure they are all rad).
• gprecs posts on Pains of Being Pure at Heart can be found here.

1.) Liechtenstein- Survival Strategies in a Modern World

These ladies top the girl rock category in my book, and all I can say is that I wish this had been even longer than it was (this record actually has pretty many songs on it, but it is so short).  A wonderful 10″ put out by Slumberland.

[mp3] Liechtenstein- “Roses in the Park”

• buy it here.
• gprecs posts on Liechtenstein can be found here.
• Slumberland had an amazing 2009 (topping both my EPs list, and my 7″s list).
  • gprecs posts on Slumberland can be found here.

Links:

• more Best Of posts can be found here.

There is still something to be said about releasing a great single, and I’m not just talking about the A side…

The Great Pumpkin favorite 7″s of 2009

10.) Slumberland’s Searching for the Now Vol. 5 (Liechtenstein split 7″ w/ The Faintest Ideas)

Liechtenstein might be the show that I’m most disappointed that I missed this year, and this 7″ would have made my top ten for “This Must Be Heaven” alone.

[mp3] Liechtenstein- “This Must Be Heaven”

• Buy Searching for the Now Vol. 5 here.
• gprecs posts on Liechtenstein can be found here.

9.) The Mayfair Set- “Already Warm//Desert Fun”

One of many great 7″s released by Captured Tracks in 2009, and the combination of Dum Dum Girls and Blank Dogs. I can’t say that I liked the 12″ as much as the 7″, but I’m hoping this wasn’t their peak…a great 45.

[mp3] The Mayfair Set- “Already Warm”

• Buy it here.
• Mayfair Set’s website.

8.) Kurt Vile- Fall Demons

Released by Skulltones in an extremely limited quantity (375 copies, and 25 test presses).  Almost a proper EP at five songs.  One of many releases by KV that I loved this year.  Thanks to Permanent for saving me a copy.

[mp3] Kurt Vile- “Summer Demons”

• out of print.
• gprecs posts on Kurt Vile can be found here.

7.) Ganglians- “Blood on the Sand// Make it Up”

The second Captured Tracks release to make this list.  I couldn’t have asked for a better follow up to Monster Head Room.

[mp3] Ganglians- “Blood On the Sand”

• Buy it here.
• gprecs posts on Ganglians can be found here.

6.) Best Coast- Make You Mine

The first official release of Group Tightener Records, and a great one at that.  I was able to grab a copy right before it sold out.

[mp3] Best Coast- “Make You Mine”

• out of print.
• gprecs posts on Best Coast can be found here.

5.) Magic Kids- “Hey Boy//Good To Be”

These kids make pop from another time, and Goner Records is very lucky to have them.  Expect big things in 2010.

[mp3] Magic Kids- “Hey Boy”

• buy it here.
• gprecs posts on Magic Kids can be found here.

4.) Real Estate- Suburban Beverage

The record that started it all for both Real Estate and Underwater Peoples Records.  Nice people and good music.

[mp3] Real Estate- “Suburban Beverage”

• out of print.
• buy Real Estate’s self titled LP here (includes almost all of these songs).

3.) Young Governor- “Virginia Creeper// I’m A Mess”

Plastic Idol Records put out this great 45 of punk pop by Ben Cook of Fucked Up.  I don’t know why, but I seem to like everything Cook is involved with except for Fucked Up…at least he has enough projects to keep me busy.

[mp3] Young Governor- “Virginia Creeper [edit]“

• buy it here (this has to be almost sold out).
• gprecs post on Young Governor can be found here.

2.) Julian Lynch // Ducktails split 7″

Julian Lynch and Ducktails are two of my favorite discoveries of 2009, and I can thank Underwater Peoples for this.  Oh yeah, and Julian has to be one of the nicest dudes ever.

[mp3] Ducktails- “Parasailing”

• out of print.
• gprecs posts on Ducktails can be found here.
• gprecs posts on Julian can be found here.

1.) Sic Alps- “L Mansion// Super Lungs My Supergirl”

Another beautiful 7″ put out by Slumberland.  I have to say that I’ve seen Sic Alps, and when I did they were not a band I cared for, but after reading about this 7″ I picked it up and was totally blown away.  I can’t wait to hear what comes out of this band in the future…this is one fucking great 45.

[mp3] Sic Alps- “L Mansions”

• buy it here.
• gprecs posts on Sic Alps can be found here.
  • 2/10/10- sorry I just fixed the link to this song. it was another sic alps track until now.

Thanks for reading…I’m getting behind on these best of posts, and they are a little intimidating to do, but I’m going to keep with it…two more…EPs and LPs.  Bare with me while I deal with this last graduate application and the crazy awfulness that is my job…but more is to come.  thanks again.

Links:

• more Best Of posts can be found here.

Since I initially heard Liechtenstein I have been craving more, and back in June, as a surprise,  klk brought back a copy of their new 10″ Survival Strategies in the Modern World that she picked up at Aquarius (I’m still so jealous that I’ve never been to that store).  I absolutely love this record, it gives me the same satisfaction that I get while listening to Tiger Trap and Talulah Gosh, but with a slightly updated sound.  Liechtenstein also refuses to get lost in the fuzziness that is so popular these days, and I now have very little motivation to put on albums by Pens and Vivian Girls when I know that I will be much more satisfied by Liechtenstein (or Talulah Gosh for that matter).

Liechtenstein’s 10″ while wonderful is pretty short, a mini LP of nine songs, and in my searching of the internet I came across another amazing offering from the Free Music Archive.  When Liechtenstein was in the states back in June they stopped by WFMU and recorded a set for one of my favorite radio shows, Michael Goodstein’s Choking on Cufflinks.  The set is up in it’s entirety for free download from the FMA…and I’ve been particularly into these two:

[mp3] Liechtenstein- “All At Once” (via the FMA)

[mp3] Liechtenstein- “Everythings for Sale” (via the FMA)

[full album download/stream] Liechtenstein- Live on Choking on Cufflinks 6/6/09

This live set includes songs from their out of print cd-r and 7″s so it is totally worth checking out (“Everythings for Sale” is one of them).

Liechtenstein have also recently participated in Slumberland Records‘ Searching for the Now Series.

Here is why Slumberland does Searching for the Now:

We here at Slumberland have always believed in the 7″ single as the greatest medium for pop music. 7″s are cheap and portable, a great way to hear new bands without spending too much cash, and similarly a great way for bands to get their music out there without going broke. Add in a cool sleeve, maybe some color vinyl and the odd sticker or badge and you have an unbeatable little package.

The last few years have seen a real resurgence of great pop, and we find ourselves with a favorite new band almost every week. Or at least a few favorite new songs. We’ve puzzled over how to make more of this terrific music available, and our solution is our new split single series Searching For The Now. Our plan is to release two limited-edition split 7″ singles every ten weeks or so, then compile every eight singles onto CDs to keep them available. Note that this is not a subscription series — while we are limiting each single to one pressing, they’ll be available from your favorite indie record retailers and mail orders, and of course directly from Slumberland. All singles will be pressed on color vinyl and packaged in special sleeves — full-color, letterpress, silkscreen or something else cool. (more info here).

I fully agree with Slumberland’s vision with this series, and I feel like it speaks to me as a record buyer.  They are 100% correct in thinking that the 7″ is a great medium (both affordable, and digestible) for checking out new bands, and Slumberland is able to keep these records inexpensive ($5), and I am more likely to invest time in something that I buy for a couple of dollars than something I get off the internet for free.  Slumberland also has been kind enough to give us Liechtenstein’s new studio track “This Must Be Heaven” as a free downloadable sample.

[mp3] Liechtenstein- “This Must Be Heaven” (via Slumberland.  How can you resist that vinyl…Buy it here)

“This Must be Heaven” is pretty much a perfect pop song in my mind, and again like the 10″ it leaves me wanting more.

Liechtenstein recently lost  Naemi, but they have found  Ulrika to take over playing bass in the band.  And back in August they spent a couple days in a Gotland studio recording some new songs…I can’t wait for these to see the light of day.  Any news is good news if it’s coming from these ladies.

In the mean time…here is their video for “Security By Design”

Links:

• more on Liechtenstein here.
• more on Slumberland here.
• buy music by Liechtenstein here.
• Creative Commons credits on tracks from the FMA
  • Liechtenstein / CC BY-ND 3.0

So I’m now kicking myself for going to see Nick Krgovich at Cake Shop rather than seeing Liechtenstein at Bruar Falls last week.  Liechtenstein have penetrated my ipod, and I have to say that I am very excited for this new 10″ to come out on Slumberland.  Their vein of all girl pop (there are three of them) brings to mind  twee of the past, think Talulah Gosh and Tiger Trap, with their own twist.  Great summer music… check it out:

[mp3] Liechtenstein- Roses in the Park (Pre-Order it here!)

It was bad enough missing Liechtenstein, but Cats on Fire opened that show, who are not from Sweden but from Finland… but that doesn’t matter because his Morrisey esque voice, and excellent pop tunes have been sounding great to me.  I have only heard a couple tracks, but they seem to be worth exploring…I just wish that new record was on LP.  Here is where I started:

[mp3] Cats on Fire- “Lay Down Your Arms” (via The Finest Kiss) (buy it here!)

But enough about what I missed (and you missed, or if you were smart, what you saw).  The topic at hand today is another bit of Sweden, and this time it is five women instead of three .  I’m talking about Those Dancing Days. I was clued into them when klk saw their video for “Hitten” on New York Noise a couple weeks ago, and since we have explored their music a little further, but are still a little bit on the fence.  I figure that there is no better way to form and opinion either way than seeing them live.

Those Dancing Days have one more tour date in the US, and it’s tonight:

5/28/09 (tonight!)- Brooklyn, NY @ Union Hall – Those Dancing Days (playing 2nd) w/ Mancino and Brain Fang

They do make some cute music videos:

Those Dancing Days- “Hitten”

Those Dancing Days- “Run Run”

Those Dancing Days- “Home Sweet Home”

[mp3] Those Dancing Days- “Those Dancing Days” (via MBV) (It’s an import so it’s pricey, but you can still buy it here!)

Last but not least is my favorite Swede Jens Lekman!  Jens has been off the scene since sometime last year, and is finally back…this time in the form of a mix tape.  Jens’ summer mix is full of dance jams Jens style, and I’m totes digging on it.  Check it out here:

[mp3] Jens Lekman- The Summer Never Ends Mixtape