Nate Russ and Sam Means formed The Format in 2002, and the Arizona duo signed w/ Elektra based on the strength of its first single, The First Single. Snails came three years later in 2005 on Atlantic Records, and the EP consists of some new material and acoustic versions of three songs from the bands debut, Interventions + Lullabies. Janet is perhaps one of the bands strongest songs, its insanely catchy and is the perfect representation of The Formats indie rock/folk-pop sound. Snails is also pleasant, and the acoustic version of Wait, Wait, Wait and On Your Porch are better than the original mixes that appear on Interventions + Lullabies. Previously only available as tour merch, this EP is a limited-edition, olive vinyl reissue from the bands own imprint The Vanity Label.

• limited-edition olive vinyl
• 1000 copies only
• music label: The Vanity Label 2005 / 2016

reviewed by donut savage 08/2016