SUGARLAND’S SWEET, EYES JACKSON’S REIGN

Grammy-winning Country duo Sugarland's collection of Mercury Nashville covers, Live on the Inside, which includes inspired versions of songs by R.E.M. (“The One I Love”), Kings of Leon (“Sex on Fire’), Pearl Jam (“Better Man”) and the B-52’s (“Love Shack”), will be the top debut this week with a Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club exclusive that should garner 75-85k and could go even higher. The album was recorded during a concert tour at shows in Kentucky, Minnesota, Georgia, Texas and Canada.

Depending on how it does perform, the album could well challenge Michael Jackson’s reigning Number Ones for the top spot on next week’s HITS album chart, based on one-day sales from, unh, Wal-Mart and other retailers still carrying those shiny round discs as well as those selling digital versions of ‘em.

That there Jennifer Nettles sure is purdy. And you don’t look so bad yourself, Luke Lewis.

Yet another Country act, Emblem/Atlantic’s Gloriana (on former Virgin Records topper Matt Serletic’s label), is in line to do between 40-45k.

Razor & Tie’s Kidz Bop Kidz cottage industry continues apace with sales in the 40-45k range, while Up&Up/Universal Republic R&B crooner K’Jon looks to be between 29-32k.

Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place (20-22k) and Epic alterna-darlings Modest Mouse’s EP (18-20k) rounds out the list of probable Top 50 newcomers.

The market was down 5% vs. last week, down 19% vs. same week last year and still down 14% year to date.

You may now return to cashing in your clunkers…kinda like we do everyday around here.