New Releases

YOUR EARLY READS: Now 51 is the top debut this week and has an early edge in the race for next week’s #1 album. But we’re keeping a close eye on Disney's currently charting Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack, which bowed at #3 on today's chart and which has already blown away initial expectations. If sales grow as they could this week, the film's retro-pop Awesome Mix may take the top spot from Sony’s first Now compilation (this time via Legacy) since Now 32 debuted at #5 in November of 2009. Invariably, one or another anthology of established hits will rule, whether it's hits like "Rude"and "Stay With Me" or hits like "Spirit in the Sky" and "Fooled Around and Fell in Love."

Now 51 (NOW) 85-95k
Godsmack (Republic) 45-55k
Spoon (Loma Vista/Concord) 35-40k
The Vamps (Island) 18-21k

These early numbers are, of course, early, please make a note of it. (8/5p)