Kris (Boilerman – bass)
SPB: What’s your favorite format of release (7”, LP, etc)?
Kris: I think the 7" is a great format, physically speaking. Its layout space is pretty easy to fill nicely, but storing 7-inches isn't as nice. They're so hard to rifle through and they get lost amongst each other easier -- smaller packages, no spine, etc. They're also good to listen to when you're not ready to dedicate yourself to a full album, but the time between starting a side and having to flip it can be annoying if you're engaging in any other activity while listening to it. The 10" is the most pleasing record to hold. There's something about it that just feels...right. Unfortunately, manufacturing a 10" is so expensive that it's rarely justifiable, so there aren't many around. If it weren't for scarcity, they might be my favorite.
But the best has to go to the 12". You're gonna get the most music and the largest amount of real estate for artwork and other packaging goodies. You can also squeeze a good amount of music onto it at 45 rpm, which will be louder and clearer and all-around better sounding.
I would also like to give a shout out to my odd-number sized records: the 8 3/4" records, the 9”, and 11-inches. Hell, even the 5, 6, and 8-inch records. You're the real heroes.