Tuesday, March 25, 2003
The Strokes grant Nigel Godrich a tryout
The Strokes--a group that critics like even more than a good taco--are in a New York studio with producer Nigel Godrich (Beck, Radiohead). Billboard.com reports. They’ll record two songs with Godrich and see how it goes, the group’s manager told the website.
And we’d prefer a good taco.
The Strokes--a group that critics like even more than a good taco--are in a New York studio with producer Nigel Godrich (Beck, Radiohead). Billboard.com reports. They’ll record two songs with Godrich and see how it goes, the group’s manager told the website.
And we’d prefer a good taco.
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Billy Corgan unplugs his band, calls it Djali Zwan
Okay, so Billy Corgan has this new band called Zwan that sounds an awful lot like Smashing Pumpkins. And Zwan has an album out, and some people bought it. Now, if you believe what you read on RollingStone.com, Corgan has formed a band called Djali Zwan. Djali Zwan reportedly features the same lineup as Zwan, but it plays “different, acoustic material.”
Corgan plans to film Djali Zwan in the studio this fall, and to issue an album and DVD early next year.
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Darryl Worley, Toby Keith entertain Bush and military families
Country crooners Darryl Worley and Toby Keith performed for President (insert asterisk here) Bush and military families at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa on Wednesday (3/26), Launch reports. Beastie Boys, Lenny Kravitz, Billie Joe from Green Day, Sheryl Crow, John Mellencamp, Zack de la Rocha, DJ Shadow and System of a Down evidently weren’t invited.
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Johnny cash hospitalized
Johnny Cash has been in a Nashville hospital since early last week, recovering from his latest bout with pneumonia. The country star is reportedly in stable condition. “We’re taking our time and making sure he is completely healed,” a hospital spokesperson told the Associated Press. “We’re being as careful as possible.”
Cash suffers from autonomic neopathy, a nervous system disease that makes him especially susceptible to pneumonia.
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Tom Petty postpones European tour
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers were supposed to open a European tour on July 3, but have postponed the dates “after consultation with the European promoters,” according to Petty’s official website. “It was agreed that all dates would be rescheduled,” the site helpfully points out.
No reason was given for the postponements, but we’re gonna go out on a limb and say it had somethin’ to do with a little somethin’ called worldwide strife.
Album Chart: 50 Cent won’t cash out of top slot
Consumers seem to have spent more time watching CNN last week than buying records, but despite an almost across-the-board drop in sales, 50 Cent’s “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” manages to hold on to No. 1.
Consumers seem to have spent more time watching CNN last week than buying records, but despite an almost across-the-board drop in sales, 50 Cent’s “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” manages to hold on to No. 1.
With a one-week tally of about 234,000 copies sold, down from about 279,000, “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” will spend its third consecutive week--and fifth overall week--in the top slot on the Billboard 200 album chart, according to industry sources. After seven weeks in stores, the album has now sold just over 3.5 million copies.
Norah Jones and R. Kelly also stay put, with Jones’ Grammy-winning “Come Away with Me” locked at No. 2 with sales of about 176,000 copies--down from about 243,000 copies--and R. Kelly’s “Chocolate Factory” in again at No. 3 with sales of about 105,000, a drop of about 24,000 copies.
Pre-Oscar hype helped the “Chicago” soundtrack gain some ground, making it one of only two albums in the Top 10 to do so; the set climbs from No. 6 to No. 4 with sales of about 96,000 copies, up from about 94,000.
Also moving up the chart is Evanescence’s debut set “Fallen,” which, despite a sales dip of about 7,000 copies, climbs four places to No. 5 with sales of about 85,000 copies; and Kid Rock’s “Cocky,” which climbs two places to No. 6 despite a tally of about 78,000 copies, a drop of roughly 15,000.
While the war in Iraq was likely a significant indirect force in slowing album sales, the Dixie Chicks seem to have gotten more directly impacted by the conflict; the trio’s “Home” experienced a drop in sales from about 124,000 copies to about 72,000 copies during the first full week following singer Natalie Maines’ anti-Bush comment at a London concert. A subsequent brouhaha saw many country radio stations and fans boycott the group’s music, leaving the album down three places to No. 7.
In at No. 8 is Fabolous’ “Street Dreams, “ which slips only one spot despite a drop in sales of 27,000 copies.
After 19 weeks in stores, Sean Paul’s “Dutty Rock” makes its first appearance in the Top 10, scraping its way up to No. 9 from No. 12 despite a sales drop of about 3,000 copies.
Closing out the Top 10, and marking the group’s only other gainer this week, is the Eminem-heavy “8 Mile” soundtrack, which leaps from No. 29 to No. 10. The album’s sales climbed from about 36,000 copies to about 55,000in the wake of the film’s release on home video.
The exposure also helped “The Eminem Show,” which jumps six places to No. 12.
A sparse group of debuts happening outside the Top 10 includes (Hed) Planet Earth’s “Blackout” at No. 33, the Allman Brothers’ “Hittin’ the Note” at No. 37, the “Atticus ... Dragging the Lake II” compilation at No. 51, Mr. Cheeks’ “Back Again!” at No. 75 and Stephen Malkmus’ “Pig Lib” at No. 97.
Monday, March 24, 2003
Phish to cap summer tour with two-day ‘It’ fest
Phish is planning yet another concert-sleepover event. The popular jam band has dubbed its latest creation--which takes place on Aug. 2-3 at the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine--"It."
Phish is planning yet another concert-sleepover event. The popular jam band has dubbed its latest creation--which takes place on Aug. 2-3 at the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine--"It.”
“It" will be the last date of Phish’s just-announced summer tour, which gets underway on July 7 in Phoenix.
More details about the “It” fest and the tour are available at Phish’s official website.
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Def Jam gets jammed up in fraud-suit verdict
Island-Def Jam Music Group chairman Lyor Cohen likely had a bad weekend after a jury in New York Federal Court on Friday (3/21) found him liable for fraud, copyright infringement and breach of contract in connection with TVT Records’ planned release of a new album from producer Irv Gotti, and the “misuse of other TVT material,” Billboard.com reports.
TVT filed the $30 million lawsuit last October, in which the label claims that Cohen had green-lighted TVT’s plans to release the Gotti-produced album--which features Ja Rule, among others--and then interfered with the album’s release, which was originally set for last November. Gotti and Ja Rule were TVT artists before signing more-recent deals with Def Jam.
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More musicians decry Iraq war
Add R.E.M., Lenny Kravitz and Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong to the growing list of major artists who have recorded songs expressing, shall we say, displeasure with the current war in Iraq.
Here’s a rundown of links to downloads of some new anti-war songs we’ve heard about:
Billie Joe Armstrong’s “Life During War (Lyrics by Aaron Elliot and PHGP)
Beastie Boys’ “In a World Gone Mad”
Zach de la Rocha / DJ Shadow’s “March of Death”
Lenny Kravitz’ “We Want Peace”
John Mellencamp’s “To Washington”
R.E.M.’s “The Final Straw
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Not in Our Name? Not in our house.
Venue management at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark forbade the peace organization Not in Our Name from setting up an information table at a March 19 Ani DiFranco concert, according to a posting DiFranco’s official website.
According to DiFranco’s site, the venue also refused to allow NION’s literature and posters to be available at the Righteous Babe label’s merchandising table. DiFranco’s camp said it was the first time in her 12-year touring career that such information wasn’t allowed at one of her shows.
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Duran Duran box set hits stores this summer
“Duran Duran: The Singles Box 81-85” is scheduled for a June 10 release. The set features 13 CD-singles, each housed in “pouchettes, faithfully replicating the original single sleeve artwork designed by the renowned Malcolm Garrett and Pete Farrow,” according to Capitol Records.
Some of the hits represented in the set include “Girls on Film,” “Hungry Like the Wolf,” “Rio,” “The Reflex,” “The Wild Boys” and “A View to a Kill.” Each CD single includes multiple versions of its respective track and/or B-sides.
Sunday, March 23, 2003
Fan contributions save Paul Westerberg’s tour DVD
A DVD that was recorded on Paul Westerberg’s recent tour will be released later this year, Vagrant Records owner Rich Egan told Billboard.com. According to Egan, the bulk of the footage was provided by Westerberg fans who videotaped shows.
A DVD that was recorded on Paul Westerberg’s recent tour will be released later this year, Vagrant Records owner Rich Egan told Billboard.com. According to Egan, the bulk of the footage was provided by Westerberg fans who videotaped shows.
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Zack de la Rocha rages against the war
Former Rage Against the Machine frontman Zack de la Rocha may have left the group, but he hasn’t given up the cause. The vocalist, along with DJ Shadow, has recorded a new anti-war track titled “March of Death,” which is available as a free download at his website.
In a message posted on the site, de la Rocha explained the inspiration for the song. The message reads in part:
“Lies, sanctions and cruise missiles have never created a free and just society. Only everyday people can do that. Which is why I’m joining the millions worldwide who have stood up to oppose the Bush administration’s attempt to expand the U.S. empire at the expense of human rights at home and abroad.”
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Celine Dion launches three-year Vegas run
Canadian singer Celine Dion, who announced in May of 2001 that she had signed a 3-year deal to perform 200 shows per year at a new theater specially designed for her at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, opens the production on Tuesday night (3/25). Information about the show, dubbed “A New Day,” is posted at Dion’s official website.
Dion is expected to make about $100 million over the course of the production’s three-year run, the Associated Press reports.
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Radiohead tunes in release date for new album
Radiohead has announced a June 10 release date for its new album, titled “Hail to the Thief.” The group co-produced the set with longtime collaborator Nigel Godrich.
“Hail to the Thief” is Radiohead’s sixth album, and is the follow up to 2001’s “Amnesiac” and 2000’s “Kid A.”
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Godspeed You! Suspected Terrorists
Members of the eclectic Canadian group Godspeed You! Black Emperor were held for questioning over the weekend by authorities who suspected they were terrorists, Pitchfork Media reports. The nine-member group--which is on a U.S. tour--reportedly was surrounded by police and federal agents at an Oklahoma gas station while en route from Fort Worth, Texas, to Columbia, Mo.
The band reportedly was released after about three hours of questioning.
“They get hassled by The Man regularly,” Bruce Adams, co-founder of the Chicago-based label Kranky, told the website. “Police pulling them over, anything you can imagine. It’s just the feeling in the country right now.”
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Dixie Chicks top South Carolina legislature’s priority list
In the midst of a highly controversial U.S.-led war in the Middle East, the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism, crippling cutbacks in state and federal budgets and a South Carolinian unemployment rate of 6.3 percent, South Carolina legislators on Wednesday (3/19) found time to pass a resolution that calls for the Dixie Chicks to apologize for singer Natalie Maines’ recent anti-Bush remark by giving a free concert in South Carolina.
Republican state Rep. Catherine Ceips introduced the resolution, the AP reports.
We weep for the citizens of South Carolina.
In the midst of a highly controversial U.S.-led war in the Middle East, the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism, crippling cutbacks in state and federal budgets and a South Carolinian unemployment rate of 6.3 percent, South Carolina legislators on Wednesday (3/19) found time to pass a resolution that calls for the Dixie Chicks to apologize for singer Natalie Maines’ recent anti-Bush remark by giving a free concert in South Carolina.
Republican state Rep. Catherine Ceips introduced the resolution, the AP reports.
We weep for the citizens of South Carolina.
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Unreleased Beatles track to see light of day
A forthcoming DVD that documents a secret jam session that Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr had in the mid-90s will include the trio’s performance of a previously unreleased track titled “Thinking of Linking” that McCartney wrote when he was 16 years old, Ananova reports.
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Paul McCartney lines up Russian gig
Paul McCartney has scheduled a May 24 concert at Moscow’s Red Square, an event that will mark his first concert in Russia. “I’ve long wanted to play in Russia, but for a number of years, when the Communists were in power, they didn’t want me to,” McCartney said in a statement. “I’m delighted that at last I can play there.”
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The Offspring say goodbye to longtime drummer
Drummer Ron Welty has exited the Offspring, and Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, The Vandals) will play on a new Offspring album to be released later this year. “After more than 15 great years with The Offspring, I’ve decided to leave to devote all my energies on a new project called Steady Ground,” Welty said in a statement.
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‘Dark Side of the Moon,’ 30 years later
RollingStone.com has posted a nice package of online materials that focus on the 30th anniversary of the release of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” album. Included are interviews with band members Roger Waters and David Gilmour, as well as producer Alan Parsons.
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
Album Chart: 50 Cent gets his money’s worth at No. 1
"Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” the hugely popular debut from rapper 50 Cent, will again grace the top spot on the forthcoming Billboard 200 album chart, bringing its run to four non-consecutive weeks at No. 1.
"Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” the hugely popular debut from rapper 50 Cent, will again grace the top spot on the forthcoming Billboard 200 album chart, bringing its run to four non-consecutive weeks at No. 1.
50 Cent’s inaugural effort spent its first two weeks at No. 1, then slipped to second place during the subsequent two weeks, first behind R. Kelly’s “Chocolate Factory,” then behind Norah Jones’ Grammy-fueled “Come Away With Me.” The album regained the top spot last week, and holds on after selling almost 280,000 copies during its most recent week out, according to industry sources.
The feeding frenzy around “Come Away With Me” has slowed, but the set still moved more than 243,000 copies, enough to remain locked in at No. 2.
R. Kelly’s “Chocolate Factory” gains a bit of ground, up one notch to No. 3 thanks to sales of about 128,000 copies. The album--which is buoyed by its latest single, “Ignition"--has now moved more than 1 million copies during its four weeks in stores.
Also climbing the chart this week is the Dixie Chicks’ “Home,” which lands at No. 4 thanks to sales of about 123,000 copies. That tally spans from Monday, March 10, through Sunday, March 16, so the album spent most of the week unhindered by singer Natalie Maines’ Bush-bashing remarks at a London concert.
Bursting into the Top 10 with a No. 5 debut are punk rockers AFI, whose “Sing the Sorrow” sold about 97,000 copies during its first week out. That keeps it ahead of the “Chicago” soundtrack, which jumps three spots to No. 6 thanks to the film’s steadily increasing Oscar buzz.
Fabolous’ “Street Dreams,” which logged on at No. 4 last week, drops four places to No. 7, while Kid Rock’s “Cocky” stays put at No. 8. Also down is Evanescence’s self-titled debut, which dips two spots to No. 9.
Closing out the Top 10 is the debut from rapper Killer Mike, whose “Monster” sold nearly 80,000 copies during its first week out, thanks in part to the single “A.D.I.D.A.S.”
Debuting further down the chart is Ani DiFranco’s “Evolve” at No. 30, Everclear’s “Slow Motion Daydream” at No. 33, Relient K’s “Two Lefts Don’t Make a Right, But Three Do” at No. 38 and the new Clash compilation “Essential Clash” at No. 99.
Monday, March 17, 2003
Metallica and Ozzy do some bassist-swapping
OK, so last month, Metallica announced that bassist Robert Trujillo had left Ozzy Osbourne’s band to replace ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted, who left Metallica more than two years ago. Now, in a sort of heavy-metal-wife-swapping maneuver, Ozzy announced on Monday (3/17) that Newsted was his new full-time bassist.
We can’t help but wonder if Newsted will find life in the Osbourne camp--which, presumably, will include his walk-on role as a real-life cast-member of the family’s MTV reality show--to be less chaotic than life in Metallica, a group that he left “due to private and personal reasons, and the physical damage that I have done to myself over the years while playing the music that I love,” according to a statement that he issued at the time of his departure.
On second thought, he’ll probably fit right in; no one knows more about damaging themselves over the years while playing rock and roll than Ozzy himself.
OK, so last month, Metallica announced that bassist Robert Trujillo had left Ozzy Osbourne’s band to replace ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted, who left Metallica more than two years ago. Now, in a sort of heavy-metal-wife-swapping maneuver, Ozzy announced on Monday (3/17) that Newsted was his new full-time bassist.
We can’t help but wonder if Newsted will find life in the Osbourne camp--which, presumably, will include his walk-on role as a real-life cast-member of the family’s MTV reality show--to be less chaotic than life in Metallica, a group that he left “due to private and personal reasons, and the physical damage that I have done to myself over the years while playing the music that I love,” according to a statement that he issued at the time of his departure.
On second thought, he’ll probably fit right in; no one knows more about damaging themselves over the years while playing rock and roll than Ozzy himself.
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Definitive Willie Nelson hits collection due in April
Columbia/Legacy Records will mark country legend Willie Nelson’s 70th birthday with the April 1st release of “The Essential Willie Nelson,” a two-disc set comprising 41 tracks that span Nelson’s 40-plus year recording history.
In addition, the compilation includes a previously unreleased track on which Nelson teamed up with Steven Tyler and Aerosmith.
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Eric Clapton throws rocking PTA meeting
Legendary guitarist Eric Clapton on Tuesday night (3/18) will perform at his daughter’s school in order to help raise money for music and computer equipment, Reuters reports. The event’s 790 tickets, which cost a relatively inexpensive $35, reportedly sold out in an instant, and were allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to parents whose children attend the school.
You gotta figure it’s more lucrative than a bake sale.
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Gord Downie’s second solo effort on the way
Gord Downie, frontman for Canadian favorites The Tragically Hip, will release his second album on June 3. He’ll back the CD, titled “Battle of the Nudes,” with an extensive tour, according to his publicist.
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Rumblings on the Radiohead front
British music news magazine NME.com has been tittering of late with lots of information about Radiohead’s upcoming album, which will hit stores in June, and about the critically acclaimed band’s promotional and tour plans. In May, the band will preview the album with a series of concerts at small U.K. clubs.
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Mark Knopfler hurt in motorcycle wreck
Former Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler suffered a broken collar bone and six broken ribs in a London motorcycle accident on Monday, the BBC reports. No immediate word on whether or not his North American tour, due to open in late April, will still go on as planned.
Sunday, March 16, 2003
Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones are rock’s richest
Paul McCartney ($72.1 million) and The Rolling Stones ($44 million) were rock music’s top earners in 2002, according to Rolling Stone’s annual “Rock’s 50 Richest” report. Dave Matthews Band, Celine Dion and Eminem round out the Top 5.
Paul McCartney ($72.1 million) and The Rolling Stones ($44 million) were rock music’s top earners in 2002, according to Rolling Stone’s annual “Rock’s 50 Richest” report. Dave Matthews Band, Celine Dion and Eminem round out the Top 5.
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Country fans turn on Dixie Chicks following anti-Bush remarks
Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines apparently pissed off a large number of U.S. country-music fans last week after she dared to voice dissent toward President Bush and his current push for a war in Iraq.
“Just so you know, we’re ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas,” Maines told a London audience, which responded with a hearty round of applause.
Country-music radio stations in the U.S. were soon hit with many calls from fans demanding that the stations boycott the trio’s music, which all three country stations in Kansas City did, http://washingtontimes.com/national/20030316-24182798.htm >according to the Washington Times.
The group’s subsequent damage control included a press release in which Maines offered a terse apology.
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Travis Tritt to protesters: shut up
Meanwhile, country star Travis Tritt issued a statement that essentially says that silly entertainers shouldn’t speak out against the war because it damages the morale of troops. Of course, given that logic, it’s hard to imagine a situation in which anyone is allowed to speak out against any war a president might choose to pursue.
But logic was outlawed by the USA PATRIOT act.
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The Polyphonic Spree leads the charge
The Polyphonic Spree, which was on hand at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas, may have taken The Best Band Photo Ever on Saturday.
The scene: Austin’s Congress Avenue, where 7,000 anti-war protesters had just begun a march from the state capitol through downtown. As the wall of marchers approaches, the 20-plus members of the band--all wearing long white gowns-- dart into the middle of the street with a photographer. The band poses with the throng in the background, and the photographer snaps the shot.
Cool! Let’s hope it turned out.
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Lollapalooza is coming to a town near you-za
Dates and venues have been locked down for this summer’s Lollapalooza tour, Billboard.com reports. The run--which is due to kick off on July 3--features Jane’s Addiction, Audioslave, Queens of the Stone Age, Incubus, Jurassic 5 and the Donnas.
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Grand Ole Opry Member Bill Carlisle dead at age 94
Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame member “Jumpin’” Bill Carlisle died at his home in Nashville on Monday (3/17) from complications stemming from a stroke that he suffered last Wednesday (3/12).
Carlisle--whose country-music career spanned over 70 years--became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1953, and performed at the Opry as recently as March 7 of this year.
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KISS extinguishes the pyro in Las Vegas
KISS--heeding the orders of local fire officials--had to forego its pyrotechnics during a Sunday (3/16) concert at Rain in the Desert at the Palms casino in Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Sun reported.
“There are some things we couldn’t do here tonight,” Paul Stanley reportedly told the crowd. “But you can’t stop rock and roll!”
Thursday, March 13, 2003
Heart resuscitated for new album and tour
Female rock-duo Heart--a.k.a. sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson--are finishing work on their first new studio album in almost ten years, and are gearing up for a lengthy summer tour to support the set. No release date has been set for the album, but a new live DVD titled “Heart - Alive in Seattle” hits stores on April 29. The concert originally aired last summer on Pay Per View.
Female rock-duo Heart--a.k.a. sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson--are finishing work on their first new studio album in almost ten years, and are gearing up for a lengthy summer tour to support the set. No release date has been set for the album, but a new live DVD titled “Heart - Alive in Seattle” hits stores on April 29. The concert originally aired last summer on Pay Per View.
In related news, singer Ann Wilson--who gained a noticeable amount of weight in the ‘90s--has lost 70 pounds as the result of a surgical procedure know as a LAP-BAND, according to Heart’s website. The procedure is the same one that heavy-metal wife Sharon Osbourne underwent in 1999.
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Mellencamp lays down new track to oppose war
Rocker John Mellencamp has joined the ranks of artists speaking out against President Bush’s plans to attack Iraq; Mellencamp has recorded a new anti-war track titled “To Washington,” and is offering the cut as a free download at his official website.
The song’s lyrics--which are posted at the site--include lines such as:
- So a new man in the White House
With a familiar name
Said he had some fresh ideas
But it’s worse now since he came
From Texas to Washington
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Bonnie Raitt to headline Earth Day festival
Bonnie Raitt will headline the upcoming We the Planet festival, an Earth Day (4/20) event to be held at Speedway Meadow in San Francisco’s Goden Gate Park, Billboard.com reports. Rap acts the Coup and De La Soul have also signed on, and additional artists will be named.
Some Red Hot Chili Peppers fans are reportedly speculating that the band may be among the acts who will join the roster, a theory that popped up after the group on Wednesday (3/12) sent to subscribers of its email newsletter a message that endorsed the We the Planet event. The group’s members are also reportedly friends with the event’s organizer.
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Former Bizkit buddies still searching for a new mate
Ex-Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland--who earlier this year announced that he had tapped a singer named Adam Yas to front his post-Bizkit outfit, Eat the Day--has decided to feel out a few more candidates before the group begins work on its new album, according to a message that he posted at the group’s website.
Meanwhile, as Limp Bizkit gears up to release a new album and hit the road with Metallica this summer, Fred Durst and company continue their search for Borland’s replacement.
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Third Eye Blind plans to debut new song on AOL
Hoping to generate interest in its forthcoming album “Out of Vein,” rock act Third Eye Blind is scheduled on Friday (3/14) to debut a new single titled “Blinded (When I See You).” The song will be available exclusively to America Online members, who can access the track in AOL’s Music First Listen area (keyword: First Listen) beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday (3/14), according to AOL, and will then be made available to the public on Saturday (3/15) at aolmusic.com.
The group will also tape an exclusive performance and interview that will run on AOL Music’s original program “Sessions@AOL,” though AOL did not specify an air date.
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
Album Chart: 50 Cent reclaims top spot from Norah Jones
After riding a post-Grammy surge that placed it back at No. 1, Norah Jones’ “Come Away With Me” falls behind rapper 50 Cent’s “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” while new albums from Fabolous, Lil’ Kim and Evanescence make Top 10 debuts.
After riding a post-Grammy surge that placed it back at No. 1, Norah Jones’ “Come Away With Me” falls behind rapper 50 Cent’s “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” while new albums from Fabolous, Lil’ Kim and Evanescence make Top 10 debuts.
Sales of “Come Away With Me” slipped almost 50 percent from its post-Grammy week total, down to about 330,000 copies, according to industry sources, which places it at No. 2. 50 Cent also lost some traction, down 50,000 copies to about 360,000, but that’s enough to place the set back at No. 1 on the forthcoming Billboard 200 album chart.
Adding some new blood to the chart is Brooklyn rapper Fabolous, whose sophomore effort, “Street Dreams,” makes its debut at No. 3 thanks to first-week sales of about 180,0000 copies. The album got a boost from its hit single “This Is My Party.”
Singer R. Kelly is faring better on the charts than he is in the legal system these days; despite being up on child-pornography and sexual-abuse charges, the singer managed to move another 168,000 copies of “Chocolate Factory.” The album, which debuted at No. 1 two weeks back, drops one spot to No. 4.
Following Kelly with a No. 5 debut is Lil’ Kim, whose “La Bella Mafia” sold 166,000 copies during its first week in stores.
Rounding out the triumvirate of Top 10 debuts is Evanescence, whose inaugural effort, “Fallen,” logs on at No. 7 with sales of about 142,000 copies.
Sandwiched between the No. 5 and No. 7 debuts is the Dixie Chicks’ “Home,” which, like Jones’ “Come Away With Me,” is suffering from a post-Grammy hangover; the album drops two places to No. 6.
Kid Rock’s “Cocky” continues to ride its second wind, down one notch to No. 8 with sales of almost 105,000 copies.
The “Chicago” and “Cradle 2 the Grave” soundtracks close out the Top 10, in at Nos. 9 and 10, respectively.
Other albums whose Grammy afterglow is fading include: John Mayer’s “Room for Squares,” down seven spots to No. 15; Coldplay’s “Rush of Blood to the Head,” down three places to No. 16; Eminem’s “The Eminem Show,” down nine rungs to No. 21; Nelly’s “Nellyville,” slipping a dozen places to No. 30; and Bruce Springsteen’s “The Rising,” which freefalls 32 spots to No. 59.
Albums making their debut outside of the Top 10 include: the Ataris’ “So Long Astoria” at No. 24; and the latest from Hootie & the Blowfish, a self-titled set that clocks in at No. 46.