U.K. MIDWEEKS: THE RETURN
OF JAMES

BMG’s Mancunian rockers James, who had the world singing “Laid” 23 years ago, is looking at their first #1 in 18 years on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart.

Their 14th studio album, Girl At The End Of The World, was topping Adele’s 25 (XL) by fewer than 2,000 combined sales. Their only other U.K. #1 was their 1998 Best Of. (Americans a little foggy about James should try to remember that kegger back in ’97 when Whiplash was stuck in the CD player with The Verve and Oasis.)

The top five will also new entries from Loma Vista’s Iggy Pop, whose Post Pop Depression is at #3, and Underworld's first studio album in six years, Barbara Barbara, We Face a Shining Future (Astralwerks), is at 4.

Chaosmosis, the 11th album from 1st International/Ignition’s Primal Scream, is looking at #6. Gwen Stefani’s first solo album in 10 years, This Is What The Truth Feels Like, is looking at #1 in the U.S., but only #11 in the U.K.

And if the revival of James didn’t get you riled up enough to launch an anti-Margaret Thatcher/John Major rally, consider that The Wonder Stuff, celebrating their 30th anniversary, has its 30 Goes Around the Sun (IRL) at #22.