To reclaim the title of “biggest band in the world,” our beloved, rejuvenated U2 has recently had to do some serious selling out.

Deals with Best Buy and a performance at the NBA Finals were a bit disheartening, but the forthcoming Super Bowl halftime extravaganza is what really keeps those arms folded firmly across our chests.

In reality, though, we simply cannot live without U2, especially in a post-Sept. 11 world.

They are too important and, most of all, too ace to be shunned. More creative bands exist, but nobody plays as well as them in the spotlight.

Bono and company are at the pinnacle of their career and can essentially do no wrong.

That includes releasing their new remixes and rarities offering, 7, exclusively at Target Stores nationwide.

Is it a cash-cow record? Absolutely. Does it suck that you have to buy it at Target, instead of supporting your local indie record store? You bet. But, is it good enough to swallow your pride? Definitely.

7 essentially serves as an added bonus for those who closely followed the period marking their best record in a decade, All That You Can’t Leave Behind, and the most exhilarating tour most will ever know, Elevation 2001.

It’s composed of three remixes, three rarities and one acoustic take of “Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of.”

Among the rarities, “Big Girls Are Best” is the keeper. It’s stands closer to “The Fly” than it does to “Wild Honey,” and serves as a reminder that the old boys are still able to create layered, electronic rock, as opposed to their recent minimalist songs. “Summer Rain” and “Always” are good too and cover more familiar territory, although it’s understandable why they didn’t make the new record. In fact, the chorus of “Always” sounds so much like “Beautiful Day,” its omission seems like a wise move.

The second half of the record consists of the remixes, which, unless you see Victor Calderone in the album credits, should generate a little skepticism.

But to our delight, we get a passable, if not tedious, “Beautiful Day,” which clocks in at eight-minutes, and a jangly single-mix of “Walk On,” complete with the “Hallelujah” chant from their live finale.

The best of the bunch is “Elevation,” instantly recognizable as the coming-out music of the band’s recent world tour. Somehow, it captures that feeling of overwhelming anticipation you felt as the Dubliners made their way into the fully-lit arena.

So, yeah, pull your collar up, put your shades on and make a bee-line for the electronics department at Target.

It’s certainly corporate rock’n’roll, but you know you like it.