This week we have not one but two bands turning it up to 11, as Capitol’s Coldplay follows its spectacular 740k debut total with a sizzling 336k second week, fighting off a challenge by Roswell/RMG’s soaring Foo Fighters, who rang up 320k on their electric/acoustic double album. Now, the Foos’ number is a stunner, considering the band’s best chart entry until now was 120k, and just last Wednesday we projected this album to do no better than 260k. We’re happy to report that we once again underestimated the sales potency of a big-time rock band—not to mention the voraciousness of adult rock consumers.
Said Hastings’ George Deahl, fluffing his Mohawk, “Foo Fighters is just exploding! They’ve got a huge radio hit and have taken their sales to another level entirely. Rock is currently occupying a huge chunk of our Top 20. Also, Coldplay’s got such a wide demographic and are reaping the benefits in a big way.”
But rock wasn’t the only adult-oriented theme playing at retail. How about Jive/ZLG’s Backstreet Boys, who returned from a five-year hiatus to discover that 293k of their now fully grown fans are still devoted to the onetime teenpop superstars, good for a #3 bow.
Hip-hop remains out of season as summertime begins, with Atlantic’s Fat Joe, the week’s only debuting rapper, rhyming his way to a solid but unspectacular 105k, which gained him the #6 position.
Elsewhere, Mariah Carey (Island/IDJ) continued her systematic ascent toward multi-platinum, moving up a notch to #4 after selling another 164k, while second-weekers the Black Eyed Peas (A&M/Interscope) stayed hot to take #5 on 155k.
Dreamworks Nashville’s Toby Keith is the sole twanger in this bunch at #7, rolling out just a little under 93k; Epic’s Shakira takes a dip to #8 with 77k; Gwen Stefani (Interscope) stays in the game at #9 with 76k; and American/Columbia’s System of a Down rounds out the list, dropping to #10 at 75k.
Next week, look out for the Offspring, Keisha Cole, Birdman aka Baby and Boyz N Da Hood.
THE RISE OF CHAPPELL ROAN: BEHIND THE SCENES
Here's how it happened. An oral history by Craig Marks. (8/30a)
A SIZZLING HITS LIST
Hot off the grill. Pairs well with your brewski of choice. (8/30a)
GUY MOOT AND CARIANNE MARSHALL: THE HITS INTERVIEW
Publishing's dynamic duo (8/28a)
THE COUNT: A LABOR (DAY) OF LIVE-MUSIC LOVE
Your other option is staying home and watching college football. (8/30a)
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THE GRAMMY SHORT LIST
Who's already a lock?
COUNTRY'S NEWEST DISRUPTOR
Three chords and some truth you may not be ready for.
AI IS ALREADY EATING YOUR LUNCH
The kids can tell the difference... for now.
ALL THE WAY LIVE
The players, the tours, the enormous beers.
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