EPs of the year: readers poll results (part V of V)

December 19, 2008 by Alan Pedder in Features, Special Features

EPs of the year: #5–1

5

Angus & Julia Stone
Hollywood EP
PIAS

Released: November 2008

For every song that made the cut of their debut album A Book Like This, Australian siblings Angus & Julia Stone have at least as many treasures scattered about on various EPs. Hollywood is their fifth, and the UK version features three brand new reworkings where one sibling assumes the lead vocal on the other’s song, and each is renamed just to confuse us. So you get Angus singing ‘Wasted’ (‘All The Colours’) and ‘Hollywood’ (‘Johnny & June’), and Julia rejigging ‘Just A Boy’ (‘Lovely Hands’). An interesting and surprisingly effective trick, making this a must for any fans of the album.

iTunes £1.99

4

Laura Marling
Cross Your Fingers EP
Virgin

Released: June 2008

One of the more upbeat tracks from her Mercury nominated debut Alas I Cannot Swim, the gently insistent gait of ‘Cross Your Fingers’ walked us through the summer. Transforming her fatalistic lyrics into a full-on bus stop singalong moment, it was the perfect second single. Exclusive B-sides ‘I’m A Fly’ and live favourite ‘Blackberry Stone’ are well worth tracking down, and the two live songs from the Union Chapel are no slouch either.

iTunes £1.99

3

The Organ
Thieves EP
604

Released: October 2008

While Thieves finds itself to be a solid and poignant statement about the band and the state of its members, it also serves as a way for The Organ to let itself die, a final farewell from a band whose potential was tragically never fully realised. Behind the poppy songs and reverb-drenched guitars lies a cautionary tale for all young bands. As its sleeve no doubt knowingly implies, it’s an educational listen [full review].

iTunes £4.74

2

The Bird & The Bee
One Too Many Hearts EP
Blue Note

Released: February 2008

This Valentines release from Los Angeles duo The Bird & The Bee was bound to be a romantic affair. Inara George and Greg Kurstin may not be a real-life couple but the chemistry in their music is potent. Lead track ‘Birthday’ reappears on upcoming album Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future (out January 26th), but the gorgeous descending melodies of ‘The Last Day Of Our Love’, the sensual and carefree ‘Come As You Were’ and a lovely cover of childlike 1920s ballad ‘Tonight You Belong To Me’ made this EP a sleek delight.

iTunes £3.16

1

Laura Veirs
Two Beers Veirs EP
Raven Marching Band

Released: May 2008

With this limited edition covers EP of four roots music classics from the 1860s onwards, plus a cover of friend Mike Dumovich’s more recent ‘Wasps Of Rain’, Laura Veirs takes the songs that inspired her and coats them with her own appealingly whimsical softness, sticking closely to the original arrangements. Recorded in one night with a bit of pedal steel here, some whistling there, and plenty of soul, it’s now back in print but only available through Laura’s website or at her shows. Nice work if you can get it [full review].

Not available on iTunes