The digital age has brought about much lamenting about past formats. We all know what vinyl bores harp on about, but the loss of the home-made C90 compilation, the 7" single  (coloured vinyl perhaps) and a gatefold sleeve 12" are all disappearing as quickly as you can say 'download chart'. But perhaps one of the most exciting formats is almost impossible to get these days: the EP. A four to seven song mini album was a delight for hardcore fans of any group. Unlike single releases with a couple of remixes, the EP was marked out as an 'event'. Often released between albums, it usually contained a selection of songs that may randomly include bizarre cover versions (Blur) or sprawling six minute masterpieces (Suede), all on a piece of vinyl or CD that included one very fine single.

The Wedding Present are a band that couldn't be more indie if it was a spotty 18-year-old boy in a skinny rib Carter USM t-shirt trying weed for the first time. And their love of the traditional formats are well documented. In 1992 they released one single a month for a year, each hitting the top 40 and equalled Elvis Presely's 35-year-old record of having the most hit singles in one year. Over their 20-year recording career, with David Gedge at their helm, The Wedding Present's musical exploration has earned them an almost legendary status and garnered fans including John Peel. He said, "The boy Gedge has written some of the best love songs of the Rock 'n' Roll Era. You may dispute this, but I'm right and you're wrong."

After critically acclaimed (although not great selling) forays with Cinerama, Gedge's long-lived side project, interest in the original band has never wavered. And in 2005 Gedge began writing for The Wedding Present for the first time in ten years with their album Take Fountain (Scopitones 2005). Their latest album, El Rey (Vibrant) was released in 2008 and signalled a return to their indie guitar rock beginnings, eschewing a more dramatic and, yes, cinematic approach. Back were the bittersweet love lyrics, which drifted beautifully through the mind, with alarming ease and vivid visual imagery.

How The West Was Won is their latest release and a collection of four 'EPs'. The title is a little misleading. And EPs, with all is symbolises, are not really here. Instead we have the latest single The Thing I Like Best About Him Is His Girlfriend in four ways; a couple of remixes and an acoustic version. These are what you would find on a not very imaginative regular single. Next up are three versions of the lovely single Don't Take Me Home Until I'm Drunk. It is only towards the end of the release, when collection begins to get into EP territory. Santa Ana Winds has three lovely songs, and heart rendering versions of Take That's Back for Good and I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas accompany Holly Jolly Christmas single.

It proves the Wedding Present can still write incredible songs, but this collection is one for only the most completist of fans.

Daniel Neilson