[x] singles, EPs, 12" rule query?

If a track gets released on a 7" single (with a B-side) and at the same time also on a 12" single (obviously with the addition of extra tracks on the 12" version) - do these count as separate releases? Is the 12" deemed an 'EP' (the sleeve and label don't say 'EP') and so becomes a separate entity from the 7"?

As far as I can see - saying that these are different releases (despite the fact they are headlined with the same single song title) will lead to a large, low-value and unintended explosion in the number of eligible releases.

This question is specifically about Big Country's "Wonderland". I bought this back when it was released in the US as a 4 song EP. It comes in a thick sleeve, like an LP. Their 12" singles at the time were released in thinner sleeves. Singles generally don't include another song on the A-side like this does.

I think, in this case, it is a separate entity.

I agree with you factually but the 12" was released with a sleeve that said 'Wonderland', not even 'Wonderland EP' or anything to distinguish it. If we allow additional entries because a 12" single has an extra track on the A side then a huge number of major label 7" singles will immediately have an eligible 'big brother' entry of a 12" that had an additional track on the A (or B side). 12" singles generally did include extra tracks - either on the B or equally often on the A. I'm sorry but I'm really not up for distinguishing eligibility by the thickness of the record's sleeve.

My take is that 1 ('single'/EP/12"/45/7") release of 'Wonderland' is sufficient (and all that's allowed) under our rules and that it's probably (subject to release dates) the UK 7" (or 12" - although I think we tend to veer towards 7" sleeves).

What about, for example, picking one at random, the 10" release of The Mission's "Deliverance" (1989 or 1990, I believe) which was in fact a special limited edition double disc in a gatefold sleeve with 2 or 3 trax on each that are impossible to get elsewhere? It was only a special release of the single, so shouldn't IMO go in as a separate entry.

The trouble is with singles is that so often they're just samplers for the album and don't actually add anything to the history of the band - except when there are special extras with perhaps undocumented lineups. However, because of that very fact, these 12" or 10" special editions may in fact be more worth our while documenting than the boring old 7"ers.

Much as I'd like to see all the singles going in as well as the albums, I am a bit concerned about the large number of entries that cause all sorts of confusion as to what is or is not a significant release - and in fact (I think I may have mentioned it before) it would be well cool to have some way of distinguishing between album and single (and EP) releases, not to mention cassettes and DVD's (although these latter are usually a different shape so it's easier to tell) - as it is, the colossal discographies of for example The Beatles and REM make it impossible to tell what's what.

For the record, "Wonderland" does not appear on any Big Country "proper" albums.

And I'm not suggesting 'Wonderland' shouldn't be recorded within our dB - just that the various multiple formats it came in needn't be.
See all the various formats, sleeves and track variants (and these are only from major territories). Even where versions have the same tracks - there are a baffling array of 7" and 12" versions. [www.jfng.com] http://www.jfng.com/pages/albums/s_wonderland.htm
On what basis would we discern which were valid entries and which weren't - other than our black and white "one entry per release" rule that we have now?

I agree with most of the sentiments expressed here. MrP's one entry per single/7"/10"/12"/EP is a handy rule of thumb that the rules are intended to implement. Obviously there are certain exceptions, as there seem to be exceptions to every rule. I have not taken a look at the "Wonderland" entry (or entries), but generally I'm reluctant to recognize an exception unless there's some sort of meaningful difference in title, artwork, or lineups. For example, the addition of "e.p." would create a new distinct title worthy of documenting. Is there anything like that here?

Coming across a few of these in queue. A meaningful difference in artwork seems like a reasonable exception. If the EP and the single look different, that seems like reason enough to document both. The tricky part could be confirming that something actually is an EP and not just a maxi single of some sort.