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2007 Year in Review III: The EP's
The power of an EP should never be underestimated. When done properly, an EP can pack a lot of punch in a small package - introducing us to new artists or hinting at new directions for the old ones. I've always been a huge fan of the EP and I'm glad more and more bands are taking advantage of the format by trying new and interesting things, not just dumping leftovers onto them. Here's a quick list of some of my favorites from the past year.

1. Los Campesinos! - Sticking Fingers Into Sockets (Arts & Crafts)
Undoubtedly one of my favorite new bands bursting onto the scene in 2007, this six-piece from Wales knew exactly how to best introduce themselves to the world. Toss in one of the most joyous singles of the year ("You! Me! Dancing!"), another nearly as fantastic ("We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives"), a Pavement cover ("Frontwards"), and a whole lot of youthful exuberance - and voila! you have one of the most promising debuts I've heard in years. I can't wait for the full-length next year.

2. Deerhunter - Fluorescent Grey EP (Kranky)
This can pretty much be considered the addendum to the excellent Cryptograms album, which is great - even more of a wonderful thing. Four more songs worth of swirling, disorienting ambient punk. Bradford Cox may be a magnet for controversy, but the dude is a talented songwriter.

3. Robert Pollard - Silverfish Trivia EP (Prom is Coming)
Of his thirty-four (or whatever) releases during the past year, this seems to be the least favorite of his longtime fans. I don't get it though, this is pretty good stuff. Fewer obvious hooks, but I think it stands up well as a cohesive whole. I dig this side of Pollard's songwriting genius.

4. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Is Is (Interscope)
This is mostly re-recorded versions of material originally written between their first two studio albums, but at the same time seems to perfectly demonstrate the continuing growth of this band's songwriting chops. "Down Boy" and "Rockers To Swallow" are obvious highlights, but there really isn't a bad tune in the bunch.

5. Jesu - Lifeline EP (Hydra Head)
Two albums and a handful of EPs into his post-Godflesh solo career, and Justin Broadrick has yet to hit a bum note in any of them. This definitely doesn't represent the heaviest work of his career, but I think the ethereal nature of these songs suits the Jesu imprint very well. A lot of fans have given him shit for the female vocals on "Storm Comin' On", but I find it a welcome change of pace.

6. Black Kids - Wizard of Ahhhs EP (self-released)
The best argument for the continued existence of MySpace I was able to find in 2007. This Jacksonville band offered this EP for free on their page and the indie web presence was quick to heap praise all over them. Thing is, all of it is totally deserved. "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You" is everything lacking from too much indie rock this year - energetic, fun, and endearing. I can't wait to hear what else these kids have in the pipeline, let's just hope the early hype doesn't bury them before they get a fair chance to shine.

7. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Follow the Lights (Lost Highway)
Buried amidst all the backlash and critical hatred towards Ryan's more (ahem) colorful antics, is the fact that this dude can still churn out a killer tune when needed. The three new tracks are alone worth the price of admission here, but the true stars are his surprising cover of Alice In Chains' "Down in a Hole" and the Cardinals reworking of Adams' own "This Is It".

8. Dead Child - Dead Child EP (Cold Sweat)
In which David Pajo of Slint and Tortoise fame decides to have a go at Priest meets Sabbath style retro-metal, bringing along a handful of Louisville indie stalwarts for the head-banging ride. Ultimately inconsequential, but good fist-pumping fun.

9. Sigur Ros - Hvarf/Heim (XL)
Released as a companion piece to the documentary DVD Heima, this double EP finds the Icelandic wonders giving fans one disc of unreleased gems and another of acoustic variations of various songs from their back catalog. Not as thrilling as any of the band's long players, but the raw and loose feeling of these recordings is a refreshing change of pace.

10. Bright Eyes - Four Winds EP (Saddle Creek)
A teaser of sorts from earlier this year, this provided us with a peek at one of Cassadaga's brightest stars, as well as a handful of B-sides from that same album. As usual with Mr. Oberst, the B-sides are nothing to sneeze at - especially "Tourist Trap". Great stuff.