If musical discoveries were the true sign ‘o’ the times, each Zodiac gone round would generate opportunities ‘o’ plenty for rock ‘n’ roll grandeur, eventually depleting self-proclaimed enthusiasts’ financial assets.
So, you're in an established band, and you really don't have any material for a new record. But the big-wigs that run your record label care less about hearing new music than they do about hearing "ka-ching, ka-ching," so they come up with a perfect solution.
In the first four months of 2003, the best music on the new releases rack has been anything but new. Realizing that they don't have a whole lot of exciting new sounds to force-feed us, major labels are digging through their back catalogues and reissuing like crazy.