>>127092920Their Colombia Records contract was very predatory, which included a 10 album deal. When they would fail to meet it (no one expected them to) Colombia would seize the rights to their back catalogue to cover the 'loss'. Turns out, double albums count as 2 albums, and the label was worried they would actually meet their contract obligations.
The album itself isn't some smart way to get around a shitty record deal, as none of the actual band (except Bernie, but his name wasn't on the contract so it's not his concern) knew anything about the deals they had signed. They were just being contrarian because some from the label told them they couldn't do more double albums.