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With a #1 debut, Arcade Fire’s first platinum album is a possibility and a Best Album Grammy nod is becoming less and less of a long shot.

LENNY BEER ON RECORDS:
10 THINGS TO PONDER ON
A THREE-DAY WEEKEND

HITS’ Editor in Chief May Not Be the Most Interesting Man in the World, but He Has an Impressive Track Record When It Comes to Spotting Hits and Trends Before They Happen
1. It is becoming more and more clear that this year belongs to Eminem—no one will stop him on his charge to the year's top seller, with 4m in his sights. It also feels like he's roaring into Grammy season with a full head of steam. Start counting his nominations now.

2. Daniel Glass knows things that you don't. Last year he piloted Phoenix to the top of the Modern Rock chart and right into a best Alternative Grammy win (although a technicality kept it from winning Best New Artist as well). This year, he launched Mumford & Sons and is heading down the same, if not an even more successful, path. A huge hit single, building album sales (#2 at iTunes) an amazing live show, critical accolades and the probability of Grammy noms and wins for Best New and Best Alternative are coming next.

3. Arcade Fire now has a hit single in the infectious "Ready to Start" to go with their live juggernaut and their enormous buzz. With a SoundScan debut at #1, their first platinum album is a possibility and a Best Album Grammy nod is becoming less and less of a long shot.

4. Things seem to be coming to a head in the hierarchy of Sony Music. Insiders point to October as the turning point in the expected changing of the guard at the top. It appears a fait accompli that Rolf Schmidt-Holtz's reign will come to an end, and a successor will be named. But who will it be?

5. Subscription music services have to be in the forefront of the future of the music business. The speed and efficiency of Spotify is dazzling, and it provides the instant gratification that the coming generations demand. Check it out the next time you are traveling outside the U.S.

6. It's about time that people acknowledge, relish in and talk about the windfall profits that are coming from digital single sales. As pointed out this week in the N.Y. Times, this is a highly profitable new revenue stream that is sending dollar signs directly to the bottom line. If you're still a skeptic, add up the U.S only single sales that have been generated from the Black Eyed Peas' latest project.

7. What will Lucian do? That's the question being pondered in nearly every conversation these days. Will there be changes in the existing UMG label structure? Or should we just ask when they will occur?

8. Jimmy Iovine is once again at the top of his game and at the top of the heap. Now, he takes on one of the most difficult challenges of his career as he attempts to revitalize the American Idol franchise in a very intriguing and unusually visible play.

9. The standoff between MTV and Vevo has already gone on longer than we expected—although the VMA compromise that has allowed awards show-related videos to be shown online leaves the door open for a settlement that will appease both sides.

10. Is there a wild card looming in this year's fourth quarter? Last year it was the amazing end-of-the-year rush for Britain's Got Talent's Susan Boyle. Will the industry pull another rabbit out of its hat this Christmas? Stay tuned

SPRINGTIME
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Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
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