response 41 of 165:

Apr 22 06:02 UTC 2002

  I think it's more likely that the mega-mergers make it increasingly
  difficult for such albums to be released by marginalizing or frequently
  eliminating the smaller labels which will take chances on music that 
  doesn't exactly fit into a recognized format, but in this case it does
  sound like the band benefitted from the fact that the acquired labels
  still retain some degree of independence/individuality.