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Release types
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This page explains our definition of the various different release types you can select when submitting a release to the database.
Standard albums are long-play releases of an artist or band which contain original tracks. Until the mid 80s they usually came in LP (vinyl long play record) format. At least since the 90s the common form of release is a CD (compact disc). Other formats or publication include cassette, 8-track tapes, and more recently minidisc, DVD-A, mp3, etc.
Single albums usually have a playing time of at least 28 minutes. Standard albums can be published alone, but also in double, triple, or more record sets. A standard album contains original material of that artist or band, which means tracks which have not been previously published by that artist or band. At rateyourmusic.com the term standard album also spans live albums (albums which contain live recordings) as long as these particular live recordings have not been published before.
An EP (or Extended Play) release is a musical work that is too long to qualify as a single and too short to qualify as an album. It is commonly known to contain between 4 and 7 tracks, but there are often exceptions that run either way. Some EPs run 40 minutes or more and some contain only 1 or 2 tracks.
Similarly, it is important to note that Singles are not restricted to 2 or 3 tracks and can often contain as many as an EP. What makes a single a single is a track that acts as the focal point of the release. So, it is not uncommon for a CD single to have more than one B-side. Having five B-sides does not automatically change it's classification to an EP. For example, a CD with ten remixes of the same song is still considered to be a single. Likewise, a release with one studio track (the single) and four live B-sides should still be considered a single.
A release should always be categorized as an EP if it is specifically written on the release or if the official artist or label site lists the release as one.
When adding an EP to the database, be sure to enter the title of the release faithfully. Do not add "EP" or "E.P." to the title unless it is indicated as part of the title on the release.
For our purposes, the definition of a compilation is recording whose primary content is music that has been previously released by a particular artist or band. Most prominently these are so-called "Best of" or "Greatest Hits" publications, "B-sides" collections, or collections of previously-released material by various artists organized around a time period, genre, or other common thread. But there are also other forms (i.e. box sets) where the tracks of a compilation have been published before.
A various artists release that includes material that had not been previously released is not a compilation by RYM's definition.
Note: Re-releases of two full-length albums on one compact disc should be entered as compilations as well. This kind of release is clearly differentiated from a regular reissue, and often displays the cover art of both albums.
For example:
Albums which compile archival recordings from over ten years before the release date are called Archival albums, and at this time are filed as standard Albums:
A single is a musical work by an artist that is typically formed by a collection of two to three tracks, first known in the vinyl world as a 7" at 45RPM, and later at 12". Along the way, the term single has been applied to limited-length cassettes and compact discs.
Titles of 7" vinyl singles should be formatted with a slash between each track name. For easier readability, spaces should be placed between each slash.
No other variations should be used, like the ones listed below.
See Digital singles.
Generally a Hip Hop release that's available freely over the internet and which differs from standard albums. Not to be confused with home made cassette mixtapes (which aren't allowed in the database). A mixtape can contain old and/or new material and doesn't really follow specific rules, ultimately it's decided by the artist if a release is a mixtape release or not. Mixtape distribution has evolved through the years, as they were previously available as cassettes and CDs sold locally, but nowadays they are generally distributed via the internet as free downloads.
A release that contains a mixset session by a DJ. These will contain tracks by various artists that are mixed and overlap together. They are mostly associated with Electronic Dance Music for a continuous dance experience, but can sometime appear in other genres. These releases should be filed under the DJ's page rather than Various Artists.
A bootleg is a musical work usually distributed without the authorization of the artist, often featuring fan recordings of concerts. "Unauthorized" is used to describe releases that are not endorsed by an artist and/or their record label.
Note: Hip hop mixtapes should never be classified as bootlegs. If they are authorized by the (re)-recording artist (even if the samples are illegal) they should be entered as the above mentioned Mixtape type. In cases where the Mixtape is not authorized even by the (re)-recording artist, file them under Mixtape anyway and use the [Unauthorized mixtape/DJ mix] attribute.
A video release typically contains music videos, concerts, or other band-related material.
There are other release types, but they are categorized under the main five:
Live albums are releases consisting entirely of live music (that has been previously unreleased) and are to be categorized as Albums.
In instances where an artist releases multiple concert albums, a single album is to be created for the tour, and individual concert date releases should be categorized as reissues (see Primary issue) of the "Tour Album". This method will help keep the artist pages clean and concise.
See Rock the Nation 2004 World Tour and ... for examples.
A soundtrack is easily described as a collection of tunes featured in a movie. In some cases, all of the songs may be recorded by the same artist. In most cases, however, the songs featured come from an array of different artists.
Multiple-artists soundtracks should be added as Various Artists releases with proper classifiers.
Promos are promotional copies of a release sent out in advance of the planned release dates. The promo often has artwork that differs from the standard release and can have varying track list information.
A promo is to be treated as a Secondary issue of the main release, even though the promo has the earlier of the two release dates.
Contents |
Standard album
Standard albums are long-play releases of an artist or band which contain original tracks. Until the mid 80s they usually came in LP (vinyl long play record) format. At least since the 90s the common form of release is a CD (compact disc). Other formats or publication include cassette, 8-track tapes, and more recently minidisc, DVD-A, mp3, etc.
Single albums usually have a playing time of at least 28 minutes. Standard albums can be published alone, but also in double, triple, or more record sets. A standard album contains original material of that artist or band, which means tracks which have not been previously published by that artist or band. At rateyourmusic.com the term standard album also spans live albums (albums which contain live recordings) as long as these particular live recordings have not been published before.
EP
An EP (or Extended Play) release is a musical work that is too long to qualify as a single and too short to qualify as an album. It is commonly known to contain between 4 and 7 tracks, but there are often exceptions that run either way. Some EPs run 40 minutes or more and some contain only 1 or 2 tracks.
Similarly, it is important to note that Singles are not restricted to 2 or 3 tracks and can often contain as many as an EP. What makes a single a single is a track that acts as the focal point of the release. So, it is not uncommon for a CD single to have more than one B-side. Having five B-sides does not automatically change it's classification to an EP. For example, a CD with ten remixes of the same song is still considered to be a single. Likewise, a release with one studio track (the single) and four live B-sides should still be considered a single.
A release should always be categorized as an EP if it is specifically written on the release or if the official artist or label site lists the release as one.
When adding an EP to the database, be sure to enter the title of the release faithfully. Do not add "EP" or "E.P." to the title unless it is indicated as part of the title on the release.
Compilation
For our purposes, the definition of a compilation is recording whose primary content is music that has been previously released by a particular artist or band. Most prominently these are so-called "Best of" or "Greatest Hits" publications, "B-sides" collections, or collections of previously-released material by various artists organized around a time period, genre, or other common thread. But there are also other forms (i.e. box sets) where the tracks of a compilation have been published before.
A various artists release that includes material that had not been previously released is not a compilation by RYM's definition.
Note: Re-releases of two full-length albums on one compact disc should be entered as compilations as well. This kind of release is clearly differentiated from a regular reissue, and often displays the cover art of both albums.
For example:
Albums which compile archival recordings from over ten years before the release date are called Archival albums, and at this time are filed as standard Albums:
Single
A single is a musical work by an artist that is typically formed by a collection of two to three tracks, first known in the vinyl world as a 7" at 45RPM, and later at 12". Along the way, the term single has been applied to limited-length cassettes and compact discs.
7" vinyl singles
Titles of 7" vinyl singles should be formatted with a slash between each track name. For easier readability, spaces should be placed between each slash.
- Song Title 1 / Song Title 2
- Song Title 1 / Song Title 2 / Song Title 3
No other variations should be used, like the ones listed below.
- Song Title 1/Song Title 2/Song Title 3
- Song Title 1 // Song Title 2 / Song Title 3
- Song Title 1 b/w Song Title 2
- etc.
Digital singles
See Digital singles.
Mixtape
Generally a Hip Hop release that's available freely over the internet and which differs from standard albums. Not to be confused with home made cassette mixtapes (which aren't allowed in the database). A mixtape can contain old and/or new material and doesn't really follow specific rules, ultimately it's decided by the artist if a release is a mixtape release or not. Mixtape distribution has evolved through the years, as they were previously available as cassettes and CDs sold locally, but nowadays they are generally distributed via the internet as free downloads.
DJ Mix
A release that contains a mixset session by a DJ. These will contain tracks by various artists that are mixed and overlap together. They are mostly associated with Electronic Dance Music for a continuous dance experience, but can sometime appear in other genres. These releases should be filed under the DJ's page rather than Various Artists.
Bootleg / Unauthorized
A bootleg is a musical work usually distributed without the authorization of the artist, often featuring fan recordings of concerts. "Unauthorized" is used to describe releases that are not endorsed by an artist and/or their record label.
Note: Hip hop mixtapes should never be classified as bootlegs. If they are authorized by the (re)-recording artist (even if the samples are illegal) they should be entered as the above mentioned Mixtape type. In cases where the Mixtape is not authorized even by the (re)-recording artist, file them under Mixtape anyway and use the [Unauthorized mixtape/DJ mix] attribute.
Video
A video release typically contains music videos, concerts, or other band-related material.
Other release types
There are other release types, but they are categorized under the main five:
Live albums
Live albums are releases consisting entirely of live music (that has been previously unreleased) and are to be categorized as Albums.
In instances where an artist releases multiple concert albums, a single album is to be created for the tour, and individual concert date releases should be categorized as reissues (see Primary issue) of the "Tour Album". This method will help keep the artist pages clean and concise.
See Rock the Nation 2004 World Tour and ... for examples.
Soundtracks
A soundtrack is easily described as a collection of tunes featured in a movie. In some cases, all of the songs may be recorded by the same artist. In most cases, however, the songs featured come from an array of different artists.
Multiple-artists soundtracks should be added as Various Artists releases with proper classifiers.
Promos
Promos are promotional copies of a release sent out in advance of the planned release dates. The promo often has artwork that differs from the standard release and can have varying track list information.
A promo is to be treated as a Secondary issue of the main release, even though the promo has the earlier of the two release dates.