Modern albums suck because artists release 10+ versions, making it impossible to meaningfully "get the full album"

I know this might sound weird, but: The current trend of artists releasing an insane number of versions of the same album is actively ruining the concept of "the album".

Back in the day, you had The album. Sure there might be a 'Deluxe' version with a couple bonus tracks, maybe a nicer cover, but the core idea of the album was still there.

Now? Where do I start.

• The Standard Edition

• The Deluxe Edition (with 2 bonus tracks)

• The Target Exclusive Edition (different bonus track, different cover, maybe a poster)

• The Walmart Exclusive Edition (another different bonus track, yet another cover, probably a sticker)

• The Urban Outfitters Exclusive Vinyl (unique color, maybe a hidden track)

• The Japan Bonus Track Edition (usually one track that's on none of the others)

• The Digital Only Bonus Track Version (only available for purchase online, somewhere specific)

• The Fan Club Exclusive Edition (comes with photocards you don't care about, and a different cover again)

• Then there's the 'Spotify edition', the 'Apple Music edition', the 'Amazon pre-order edition' . . . .

What is even The Album anymore? You shouldn't have to buy 5 copies of the same thing to Pokemon it. I think it's so labels can profit off of FOMO so the 'superfans' just have to buy it. Are these bonus tracks genuinely part of the album, or just B-sides arbitrarily sprinkled onto different SKUs to inflate sales numbers?

Case in point, there are 109 different versions of Taylor Swifts Fearless album. 109!

I know she might be a special example since she had to get the rights to her masters back, but still. It's insane.

Even from a pure listener's perspective, setting up a digital library, or even just queuing up an album on Spotify/Deezer/etc, becomes a maddening puzzle. Which "Deluxe (Target Exclusive) (Japan Bonus Track Version)" do I listen to?

Maybe I'm just old, but I miss the simplicity. Give me the album. If you have B-sides or extra songs, put them on a separate EP, a compilation, or even a proper "deluxe" version that genuinely completes the experience, rather than scattering little bits across a dozen different, largely identical products.