THREE INTO ONE WILL GO: STAIND, RADIOHEAD AND ST. LUNATICS VIE FOR TOP
In a race that’s still too early to call, Staind’s two-week "Cycle" at the top of the charts could well be broken by either Radiohead, which right now holds a slight edge, or Nelly’s St. Lunatics, based on first-day sales from retailers around the country. All are on target to end up in the low 200k range for their first-week totals. Columbia ingenue Jessica Simpson proved "Irresistible" to record buyers and could do in the 125-130k, which will place her just below the leaders. Cash Money/Universal rapper Turk is on track for 100k in sales, which would land him in the Top 10.
Staind’s Flip/Elektra album, "Break The Cycle," debuted two weeks ago with more than 700k in first-week sales and last week maintained its lead, moving 325k+ at retail.
Radiohead’s new Capitol album, "Amnesiac," arrives without the advance buzz of their last album, "Kid A," which debuted at #1 when it came out last October with 210k in sales. These songs are reportedly from the same sessions, and have seemingly attracted the same rabid hardcore fans.
St. Lunatics are St. Louis rap icon Nelly’s home band, and their "Free City" album on Universal has obviously struck a chord with the audience that made the hip-hop star’s album a six-times-Platinum smash, thanks to the pop hit "Country Grammar."
