EP Season

Here in Nashvegas the weather has finally gotten consistently warm and sunny. The days are longer and attention spans are shorter. That said, it's what I like to call "EP Season."

If you're anything like me, the good weather hits and I'm far less likely to commit to a 45-minute album, yet I'm still looking for the continuity and cohesion an LP can offer. The answer? EPs.

Here are three currently rattling around my iPod.


The Open Door : Death Cab for Cutie - The follow up EP to their '08 release, Narrow Stairs, came out last April, but it's got such a great indie pop/rock lightness that it's sure to be a Springtime perennial.

Bobby Thompson Reels, Vol. 1 : De Novo Dahl - Here's a little taste of Nashville's non country side. The EP is built off samples from said Bobby Thompson, a banjo and guitar player who logged some serious hours playing with some really famous folks. He also happened to be the uncle of one of the guys in De Novo Dahl. Anyway, the EP is sort of a departure from their usual energetic, fizzy indie rock. Think spoken samples against cool, oddly-bluesy-for-being-electronic grooves. You can even download it for free courtesy of the band's site.

Harmonia Macrocosmica, Vol. 1 : Sunfold - This one actually came in late last night thanks to my friend Aaron. It's a side project from the Annuals, apparently. I liked it immediately-- that's rare. The sound is rich and while it's pretty etc. you get a dash of something else sitting under the surface. Darker on the back end is usually intriguing. At least that's my impression so far! There are many more sun-drenched afternoon listens on the way.