Back in the day, record companies used to delete old albums from production, much to the determent of record collectors and young fans. But thanks to the invention of the CD and the declining quality of music by contemporary artists, labels are becoming increasingly dependent on the sale of reissues in order to make ends meet.

Reissues can be a wonderful way to reintroduce an album to the public (e.g. Gang of Four’s Entertainment, which was damn near impossible to find for most of the 1990s). Or they can help cement a group’s legacy in the history books.

But more often than not, record companies end up doing a second rate job. They add superfluous bonus tracks, change the original running order or do a miserable job on remastering. And in the worst-case scenario, they re-release an album so many times that people just stop caring.

But enough of the industry criticism.

Here’s the 7 worst of 2007:

1. Radiohead "EMI Box Set"
Earlier this year, EMI, the parent company of Radiohead’s former label Parlophone, was sold to Terra Firma, a private equity firm. So instead of renegotiating a contract with a company run by people who are openly consumed by the pursuit of the almighty dollar, the band opted to self-release In Rainbows. In retaliation, EMI decided to release of a boxed set within weeks of the physical release of the new album. Therefore, because the folks at EMI made the dick move of the year, Box Set is at the top of my list.

2. Bob Marley and the Wailers "Exodus"
I don’t know a single Bob Marley fan that doesn't already own two copies of this album. It would've been more prudent to release the bonus live material as a separate disc.

3. Traveling Wilburys "Volume 1 and Volume 3"
Some people might argue:
"Well where else can you find George Harrison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan and Roy Orbison on the same album?"
To them I say:
"That's a good point, but the fact that the new versions retail for $29.99 and $49.98, respectively, is a very big turn off. You're better off scouring EBay or Amazon for copies pressed during the initial run in the early 1990s. I got bills to pay, son."

4. Counting Crows "August and Everything After (Deluxe Edition)"
If you purchased this album upon it’s original release, it’s ok. You were young and stupid and thought Adam Duritz had “cool” hair. If you’re buying it again, you should probably have your head examined.

5. DJ Muggs vs. GZA "Grandmasters REMIX"
Considering how important these men are to Cypress Hill and Wu-Tang Clan, respectively, the release of Grandmasters was a puzzling disappointment. I mean, on paper it seemed like such a great idea, but the album was not a compelling listen. To put a remix out this late in the game is a pretty pointless move, if you ask me. You can't polish a turd, kids.

6. Young Marble Giants "Colossal Youth"
The Guardian claims that Colossal Youth is a "long neglected classic." But this album has been re-issued no less than three times since 1979. Furthermore, it is far from neglected: the Cardiff based trio has received accolades from Kurt Cobain, French music retailers FNAC and even the fine people at Pitchfork.
I already own the Disques du Crepescule reissue from 1990. Why should I go out of my way to buy the same album with even more bonus tracks that I'll never listen to?

7. U2 "The Joshua Tree"
I'd like to nominate this album for the Most Environmentally Unfriendly Release of 2007 award. Yep that’s right, the 20th anniversary of The Joshua Tree is being celebrated in no less than four different ways:
Single disc with detailed liner notes
Two-disc with bonus tracks & 36 page booklet
Boxed set with bonus tracks, a 56 page hardback book and DVD;
For the audiophiles, a special double LP set, pressed on 180-gram vinyl.
Someone's gonna have to throw a benefit concert to warn the world about the environmental fallout that will occur when people throw away the packaging of this monstrosity.

WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT
So, were there any good re-issues this year?

Yes. Oh hell, yes!!!

1. The Clash "The Singles Boxed Set."
I will scrimp and save for this, only because it has all the remixes from the 12-inch promo version of "This is Radio Clash."

2. Sly and the Family Stone "A Whole New Thing, Dance to the Music, Life, Stand!, There's a Riot Goin' On, Fresh, and Small Talk"
Instead of spending $100 to see these guys in the most embarrassing reunion of the year, pick up a copy of There's a Riot Going On, invite your friends over, and go nuts. Just make sure to listen to it on a hi-fidelity sound system that can handle A LOT OF BASS.

3. Robert Fripp & Andy Summers "I Advanced Masked"
Finally, the two best guitarists of the 1970s on one disc!!!

4. Magazine "Real Life"
It's really a shame that Howard Devoto's quirky post-punk project doesn’t get as much love as his former band, the Buzzcocks. I would be down to buy this again. But since Tower Records closed last year, I’m hard pressed to think of a DC record shop that will be carrying this on compact disc.

5. The Fire Engines "Hungry Beat"
Every time Franz Ferdinand name-drops a cool Scottish band from the early 80s, that band's music is instantly picked up for re-release, (much to the benefit of people who love the sound of very trebly guitars). First Orange Juice, then Josef K and now Fire Engines. Ahhh, God bless those Scots…