According to an article appearing in today's NY Daily News:

2004's Top 10 (to date)

1. Usher,"Confessions" 4.3 million
2. Norah Jones, "Feels Like Home" 3.0
3. Kenny Chesney, "When the Sun Goes Down" 2.09
4. Evanescence, "Fallen" 2.03
5. OutKast, "Speakerboxx/Love" 2.00
6. Kanye West, "College Dropout" 1.8
7. Josh Groban, "Closer" 1.7
8. Jessica Simpson, "In This Skin" 1.56
9. "Now That's What I Call Music Vol. 15" 1.54
10. Twista, "Kamikaze" 1.49

I only bought one that came out this year (Now 15) and Outkast, which was released last year.

Thanks for posting the list. Didn't buy any, not even the Nora Jones CD. :wave:

I've only bought a handful of cds this year, and except for Prince, none are big hits: Janet J., Lenny K., George Michael and Van Hunt.

I'm at the point where I really don't want to buy any new music if I can't sample it first in the record shop or through some other source. I've only bought old stuff. That article had last year's top sellers at this point too. Evanescence was on last year's list too. I guess it's possible that someone could come out between now and the fall and outsell Usher for the whole year, though I doubt it. i think there has been some instance in which the year's top album wasn't a top seller by midyear, though I'd have to research it.

Why buy when you can download? Doesn't seem to me that the RIAA is strapped for cash.

Originally posted by laceyinthesky
Why buy when you can download? Doesn't seem to me that the RIAA is strapped for cash.

I hate the RIAA about as much as the next guy, but I still buy CDs because sound quality of MP3s (even ones encoded at the maximum 320 bitrate) isn't nearly as good as CDs, no matter what the masses say to you (wave files, however, can be exact duplicates if ripped right).

More importantly, I'm a collector at heart. I usually buy two or three CDs a week, and about one or two records a month. I have a huge music library, and it will just keep getting bigger.

Besides, nothing beats the feeling of opening a new album and flipping through the packaging. For me, that feeling is lost with downloads.

And in case anyone cares, I don't own any of the ten albums listed. :)

Originally posted by laceyinthesky
Why buy when you can download? Doesn't seem to me that the RIAA is strapped for cash.

I echo everything that AKA said. It's a collector's mentality, I prefer owning the physical disc as opposed to the download. Though for me, my dvd buying habit has nearly completely replaced my cd buying habit.

Originally posted by vashti1999
I echo everything that AKA said. It's a collector's mentality, I prefer owning the physical disc as opposed to the download. Though for me, my dvd buying habit has nearly completely replaced my cd buying habit.

I agree 100% (especially with the DVD buying thing)!

I still buy cds, if it's a cd worth buying. If I know it's going to be an album with only 1 or 2 good songs on it, I'm not going to waste my money.

Mmmm yeah I only have one of those. Evanescence. And that's pretty funny that that cd is on there because it's been out for over a year.

If a CD is good, I feel the artist should be compensated.

But in the case of "usher"...well, I'll just say, that should be his job description.

Originally posted by Ian
If a CD is good, I feel the artist should be compensated.

But in the case of "usher"...well, I'll just say, that should be his job description.

Agreed.

I can't be the only one who admittedly enjoys Usher's Confessions! I love that album from beginning to end, all of his singles have been great, especially, "Confessions Pt. II," and "Burn."

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
I can't be the only one who admittedly enjoys Usher's Confessions! I love that album from beginning to end, all of his singles have been great, especially, "Confessions Pt. II," and "Burn."

I liked Ushers 8701 era, but outside of Yeah, none of the new songs do anything for me.

I think the main reason people who dislike Usher are very vocal is because he runs his mouth off as if he's Eminem, except Eminem is supposed to be a bad boy, Usher's supposed to be the type of guy you don't mind your 8-10 year old girl having pin-ups of. It's ticking a lot of people who liked some of his songs in the past. Usher keeps saying he's the new MJ, but the difference was, MJ was inoffensive, he was very polite in interviews and acted gracious for his success, and he never downed his peers. Usher bashes Justin all he wants, but one of the things that HELPED Justin was that Justin was so openly embracive of other artists, whether rivals or people from other genres. When Usher spouts off crap about Justin, Madonna and Britney, it makes him look stupid because he is not hardcore, so the Eminem attitude doesn't work

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
I liked Ushers 8701 era, but outside of Yeah, none of the new songs do anything for me.


I thought the 8701 era was controlled by the Neptunes, and I'm not a big fan of their distinctive music.

I agree about his attitude, but I'm a fan of music not personality.

um... why isn't avrils under my skin on there?

^ I don't think it has reached platinum or even gold status yet.

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
^ I don't think it has reached platinum or even gold status yet. UH YES IT HAS... IDIOT.

Originally posted by Kristina
UH YES IT HAS... IDIOT.

Avril's cd is probably in the top 25 of the year to date. It's doing well, but it is still very recent, the other albums on this list (Usher, Norah, Kenny Chesney) have been out at least 2-3 months more, so they've had more time to sell what they've sold.

I only have evanescence's. The rest of those CD's can go die.

Where can I find 2003 top selling CD's?

for those interested, I got this off the UKMix site.

This is the current "Soundscan 100" (same as Billboard except albums over 2 years old are permitted to chart, so albums like Beatles 1, Dark Side Of The Moon, Metallica, Come On Over, etc... are STILL on their top 200 while they were ineligible for Billboards years ago)

this week, last week, album, artist, weeks, current scan tally

1. (NEW) KISS OF DEATH (by Jadakiss) 1 wk, cs: 248,000
2. (2) CONFESSIONS (by Usher) 14 wks, cs: 4,456,000
3. (1) TO THE 5 BOROUGHS (by Beastie Boys) 2 wks, cs: 504,000
4. (NEW) JOJO (by JoJo) 1 wk, cs: 95,000
5. (6) MUSICOLOGY (by Prince) 10 wks, cs: 1,045,000
6. (4) HERE FOR THE PARTY (by Gretchen Wilson) 7 wks, cs: 885,000
7. (NEW) SPIDER-MAN 2 (Soundtrack) 1 wk, cs: 82,000
8. (NEW) A GHOST IS BORN (by Wilco) 1 wk, cs: 81,000
9. (3) CONTRABAND (by Velvet Revolver) 3 wks, cs: 459,000
10. (5) UNDER MY SKIN (by Avril Lavigne) 5 wks, cs: 841,000
11. (8) D12 WORLD (by D12) 9 wks, cs: 1,281,000
12. (7) THE REASON (by Hoobastank) 29 wks, cs: 1,427,000
13. (9) LOS LONELY BOYS (by Los Lonely Boys) 17 wks, cs: 536,000
14. (15) HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR (by Big & Rich) 8 wks, cs: 250,000
15. (12) SHREK 2 (Soundtrack) 7 wks, cs: 372,000
16. (44) THE BEAUTIFUL LETDOWN (by Switchfoot) 66 wks, cs: 783,000
17. (21) THE COLLEGE DROPOUT (by Kanye West) 20 wks, cs: 1,870,000
18. (20) GOOD NEWS FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE BAD NEWS (by Modest Mouse) 12 wks, cs: 469,000
19. (16) VOL. 3 (THE SUBLIMINAL VERSES) (by Slipknot) 5 wks, cs: 475,000
20. (18) FALLEN (by Evanescence) 69 wks, cs: 5,441,000
21. (23) ELEPHUNK (by Black Eyed Peas) 53 wks, cs: 1,466,000
22. (24) IN THIS SKIN (by Jessica Simpson) 45 wks, cs: 2,093,000
23. (17) WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN (by Kenny Chesney) 21 wks, cs: 2,132,000
24. (25) NOW 15 (by Various Artists) 14 wks, cs: 1,579,000
25. (22) SPEAKERBOXXX/THE LOVE BELOW (by Outkast) 40 wks, cs: 5,126,000
26. (14) IT'S ABOUT TIME (by Christina Milian) 2 wks, cs: 89,000
27. (28) SONGS ABOUT JANE (by Maroon 5) 59 wks, cs: 1,692,000
28. (38) JUVE THE GREAT (by Juvenile) 27 wks, cs: 700,000
29. (19) FEELS LIKE HOME (by Norah Jones) 20 wks, cs: 3,130,000
30. (32) THE DIARY OF ALICIA KEYS (by Alicia Keys) 30 wks, cs: 3,043,000
31. (26) GREATEST HITS '93-'03 (by 311) 3 wks, cs: 132,000
32. (39) FRANZ FERDINAND (by Franz Ferdinand) 14 wks, cs: 234,000
33. (37) CATALYST (by New Found Glory) 6 wks, cs: 353,000
34. (46) OCEAN AVENUE (by Yellowcard) 43 wks, cs: 761,000
35. (34) LIVING LEGENDS (by Eightball & MJG) 7 wks, cs: 369,000
36. (27) GREATEST HITS (by Guns N' Roses) 14 wks, cs: 859,000
37. (40) THE BLACK ALBUM (by Jay-Z) 33 wks, cs: 2,648,000
38. (10) A NEW DAY - LIVE IN LAS VEGAS (by Celine Dion) 2 wks, cs: 83,000
39. (42) STILL WRITING IN MY DIARY: 2ND ENTRY (by Petey Pablo) 8 wks, cs: 368,000
40. (36) DINO: THE ESSENTIAL DEAN MARTIN (by Dean Martin) 4 wks, cs: 113,000
41. (29) THE GIRL IN THE OTHER ROOM (by Diana Krall) 9 wks, cs: 498,000
42. (33) CLOSER (by Josh Groban) 33 wks, cs: 3,570,000
43. (30) TICAL 0 - THE PREQUEL (by Method Man) 6 wks, cs: 397,000
44. (31) SHOCK'N Y'ALL (by Toby Keith) 34 wks, cs: 3,463,000
45. (52) MUD ON THE TIRES (by Brad Paisley) 49 wks, cs: 734,000
46. (45) THE VERY BEST OF THE BEACH BOYS: SOUNDS OF SUMMER (by The Beach Boys) 55 wks, cs: 970,000
47. (50) GOLDEN ROAD (by Keith Urban) 90 wks, cs: 1,584,000
48. (43) GET BORN (by Jet) 38 wks, cs: 941,000
49. (56) BLINK 182 (by Blink 182) 32 wks, cs: 1,748,000
50. (51) KAMIKAZE (by Twista) 22 wks, cs: 1,519,000
51. (11) JOSH GRACIN (by Josh Gracin) 2 wks, cs: 78,000
52. (47) SO-CALLED CHAOS (by Alanis Morissette) 6 wks, cs: 294,000
53. (58) IN THE ZONE (by Britney Spears) 32 wks, cs: 2,699,000
54. (54) THE LONG ROAD (by Nickelback) 40 wks, cs: 2,218,000
55. (48) VANS WARPED TOUR 2004 COMPILATION (by Various Artists) 3 wks, cs: 108,000
56. (63) U GOTTA FEEL ME (by Lil' Flip) 13 wks, cs: 138,000
57. (55) THAT'S SO RAVEN (Soundtrack) 6 wks
58. (124) CALIFORNIA (by Wilson Phillips) 5 wks, cs: 96,000
59. (49) HURT NO MORE (by Mario Winans) 10 wks, cs: 702,000
60. (73) METEORA (by Linkin Park) 66 wks, cs: 4,231,000
61. (NEW) CHILLTOWN, NEW YORK (by Erick Sermon) 1 wk, cs: 19,000
62. (61) THE VERY BEST OF (by Sheryl Crow) 34 wks, cs: 2,927,000
63. (35) PATIENCE (by George Michael) 6 wks, cs: 208,000
64. (60) COME AWAY WITH ME (by Norah Jones) 122 wks, cs: 8,599,000
65. (71) LA DONA (by Teena Marie) 7 wks, cs: 233,000
66. (53) DISCLAIMER II (by Seether) 2 wks, cs: 42,000
67. (66) TOTALLY HITS 2004 (by Various Artists) 8 wks, cs: 250,000
68. (85) 50 FIRST DATES (Soundtrack) 12 wks, cs: 273,000
69. (80) CASTING CROWNS (by Casting Crowns) 27 wks, cs: 123,000
70. (70) DANGEROUSLY IN LOVE (by Beyonce Knowles) 53 wks, cs: 3,474,000
71. (64) REGGAE GOLD 2004 (by Various Artists) 2 wks, cs: 38,000
72. (91) BAPTISM (by Lenny Kravitz) 6 wks, cs: 147,000
73. (13) UNDERMIND (by Phish) 2 wks, cs: 73,000
74. (75) HOOD HOP (by J-Kwon) 13 wks, cs: 488,000
75. (57) GREATEST HITS VOLUME II (by Alan Jackson) 26 wks, cs: 740,000
76. (79) METAMORPHOSIS (by Hilary Duff) 44 wks, cs: 3,248,000
77. (62) AMAR SIN MENTIRAS (by Marc Anthony) 3 wks, cs: 73,000
78. (72) LET'S BE US AGAIN (by Lonestar) 5 wks, cs: 143,000
79. (78) LEAVE A WHISPER (by Shinedown) 11 wks, cs: 246,000
80. (69) SOMETHIN' 'BOUT LOVE (by Fred Hammond) 3 wks, cs: 51,000
81. (108) COMIN' FROM WHERE I'M FROM (by Anthony Hamilton) 37 wks, cs: 577,000
82. (90) LEGEND (by Bob Marley And The Wailers) 141 wks, cs: 8,000,000
83. (59) HOT FUSS (by The Killers) 2 wks, cs: 37,000
84. (81) DAMITA JO (by Janet Jackson) 13 wks, cs: 849,000
85. (93) ME & MY BROTHER (by Ying Yang Twins) 41 wks, cs: 858,000
86. (99) THE CHEETAH GIRLS (Soundtrack) 46 wks, cs: 1,086,000
87. (68) YOU DO YOUR THING (by Montgomery Gentry) 6 wks, cs: 167,000
88. (86) JULIE ROBERTS (by Julie Roberts) 5 wks, cs: 91,000
89. (87) A CROW LEFT OF MURDER... (by Incubus) 21 wks, cs: 885,000
90. (67) SWEET RIGHT HERE (by Shedaisy) 3 wks, cs: 76,000
91. (41) ME AND MR JOHNSON (by Eric Clapton) 13 wks, cs: 485,000
92. (107) PAGE AVENUE (by Story Of The Year) 29 wks, cs: 490,000
93. (100) THREE DAYS GRACE (by Three Days Grace) 38 wks, cs: 578,000
94. (92) THE SINGLES 1992-2003 (by No Doubt) 31 wks, cs: 1,878,000
95. (NEW) JUPITER'S DARLING (by Heart) 1 wk, cs: 12,000
96. (101) CHICKEN*N*BEER (by Ludacris) 38 wks, cs: 2,381,000
97. (65) PATRIOTIC COUNTRY (by Various Artists) 2 wks, cs: 33,000
98. (106) BEG FOR MERCY (by G-Unit) 33 wks, cs: 2,343,000
99. (NEW) FOOD FOR THOUGHT (by Young Rome) 1 wk, cs: 12,000
100. (104) START SOMETHING (by Lostprophets) 21 wks, cs: 432,000

i hate lists...

COMIN' FROM WHERE I'M FROM (by Anthony Hamilton) 37 wks, cs: 577,000

Glad to see this one still hanging around, one of my favorites from '03.



DAMITA JO (by Janet Jackson) 13 wks, cs: 849,000

The wardrobe malfunction backfired big-time. Wheteher or not she intended for the breast to be exposed, the rip away was probably done to stir up publicity for the album, and it looks like it only hurt.



BAPTISM (by Lenny Kravitz) 6 wks, cs: 147,000

Ouch!! Poor Lenny.


P.S. - Did I see Dean Martin on that list?!?

Originally posted by vashti1999
BAPTISM (by Lenny Kravitz) 6 wks, cs: 147,000

Ouch!! Poor Lenny.

I am surprised at how poor Lenny's last 2 albums have done, considering the Greatest Hits album was a HUGE seller and gave him one of his biggest hits ever, yet neither "Lenny" nor "Baptism" seemed to take off.

YAY UMS is on that list.

i <3333 avril!

(this is from ythe concert i went to april 30th 2003 btw! I didn't take it... but yeah, san jose isn't that cool!?! she's even that hott in real life. i was amazed. she sounded so good too, and on tv she usually sounds crappy but yeah she sounded awesome! i want to see her again! you know what, i was going to but didnt because i didnt feel good that day and that was like a couple months ago. hopefully she comes back to california. I WILL TRAVEL HOURS. cuz san jose is like 3 hours away, but it was SO worth it. and btw you all have to get under my skin, she has matured since let go definitly. it's an awesome cd that deserves to be #1!)

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
I can't be the only one who admittedly enjoys Usher's Confessions! I love that album from beginning to end, all of his singles have been great, especially, "Confessions Pt. II," and "Burn." I like Usher's Confessions as well. I borrowed it from someone, and I have to say that it's a really good album, and the singles he's releasing are the right choices.