YE JOLLY OLDE iTUNES U.K. CHARTS

UMG is experiencing the joy of R-rated sex on both sides of the Atlantic, as the 50 Shades of Grey titillates the British populace just as it does our own soccer-mom hordes. But some other storylines are popping up that are specifically British in nature, among them the return of Britpop avatars Blur (led by polymath Damon Albarn, who was the highest-ranking musical figure in Debrett’s recently published list of the 500 Most Influential Britons—fancy that), and, inevitably, next week’s BRIT Awards.

Interestingly, of the multiple nominees, only Sam Smith is presently on the leaderboard. But that will likely change when we take our next snapshot in seven days, post-telecast. That’s presuming the British mainstream is just like the American mainstream, which is probably more true than not true.

Bouncing in and out of the Top 10—it’s #11 as of 5am L.A. time—is the six-month old album The Balcony (Island) from melodic rockers (to use a handy cliché) Catfish and the Bottlemen, a band we heartily endorse. Every time the record goes on sale, as it is now for £4.99, it jumps into the thick of it.

The singles chart, meanwhile, is atypically static, with the same 10 tracks today on the board as a week ago at this time and Ellie Goulding still holding court.