Verging on Vinyl glossary

Deep Cut: Tracks released on an album that did not receive much radio play, and so require digging "deeper" to hear--ie, listening to whole albums, or at least having access to them to select the non-single tracks.

Double A-Side: A single (see below) that was released with an equal weight given to both tracks. There is typically a conventional order to place the songs in (based on sleeve art, labels that say "A" and "AA", or just established order from usage), but neither is considered "the single". Both generally receive some measure of airplay, if the release does at all.

Double Album: Also known as a "double LP" or by format as "2xLP" (not to be confused with 2x12", which may refer to any release containing 2 12" discs, whether it is an album, a single, an EP, or something else), this is an album which is long enough that it is expanded to 2 separate 12" discs so that the entire run-time can be included. Often thought to be pretentious, indulgent and other such words, some of them were actually later able to be released onto a single CD as it has both an comparatively expanded capacity overall, as well as no need to ensure that the first half or so fits on a single side. Some, however, (such as The White Album) are released on even two CDs out of spacial necessity.

Extended Play (EP): Roughly, a release that is longer than a single, but shorter than an album. The Official Chart Company in the UK defines it as "up to 25 minutes of music and no more than 4 distinct tracks, alternate versions of a single song excepted." These releases often have specific titles, rather than being named for their leading track.

Four Corners: A record has two sides, and if each contains music, there will be beginning and end to each side. This means that some bands or producers will attempt to acknowledge each of these points in arranging the placement of tracks on an album. their nature as cut off point means they are treated like corners. Hence, with two beginnings and two ends, four corners.

Gatefold: A vinyl release whose sleeve actually folds out from the center like a book. Often, this means that there is a record in either end, but sometimes just implies a more stylish album cover or production. Typically, the cover wraps around to the back to form a single image when unfolded. The inside is often composed of another image as well as lyrics, credits and liner notes.

Heavyweight Vinyl: Vinyl pressed with a greater amount of, well, vinyl, which increases the tolerance of the pressing as well as severely decreasing the risk of physical distortion and warping, as the weight is mostly manifested as increased thickness.

Maxi-Single: A single which contains multiple "b-sides" rather than a single one, but does not constitute an EP. Typically maintains the titling fashions of singles (ie, it does not have an explicit title beyond the song or songs it contains).

Needle-drop: term for a direct digital recording of a vinyl disc played back through normal means. Refers to the fact that the needle is dropped to the record for playback as normal.

Picture disc: clear vinyl pressed around album art, photos or other paintings to give the impression that the images are pressed into the grooves themselves. More details here (the layering for the image is often more complicated than I've described)

Single: A track released for radio play or isolated sales, typically backed with one "b-side" that would act as either the literal other side of a 7" record (aka the "flip"). These are essentially un-titled releases, with the song acting as A-side becoming the title, but occasionally formatted as "[A-Side] b/w [B-Side]" where "b/w" is taken to mean something in the vein of "bundled with" or "backed with".

Split: A release which contains multiple artists (typically two) who each contribute tracks. Often, these are and were 7" and 10" releases with only 2-4 songs, but whole albums have also been released in this fashion. Sometimes, artists will "trade" songs for these releases, with each covering the other, though there is no determined process for what tracks or recordings will appear.