Labels recording low note in sales - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

vashti1999 · 06-21-2005, 09:39 AM

by Jim Farber, NY Daily news

Get ready for a new round of boo-hoos in the music business.

While last week the industry traded high-fives over the results of its Super Tuesday/Coldplay blowout, it has reason to weep over its weak cumulative sales so far this year.

Not only are the overall year-to-date numbers down 7% from 2004, but a direct comparison between the 10 top-selling albums of '04 and '05 at the June cutoff reveals an even more dramatic drop.

The No. 10-selling CD at the halfway mark last year — Twista's "Kamikaze" — would qualify as No. 5 by this year's depressed standards. It sold nearly 500,000 more copies than half the albums in this year's Top 10.

This year's troubles begin at the top. The biggest CD so far, 50 Cent's "Massacre," has moved 500,000 fewer platters than 2004's halfway king: Usher's "Confessions." (3.8 million versus 4.3 million). This, even though 50 has had three more weeks on the market.

An even more damning gap is clear when you compare the No.2 CDs. Norah Jones' "Feels Like Home" had sold nearly 1 million copies more at this point last year than The Game's CD "Documentary" has so far in 2005 (3 million versus 2.04 mil).

Thankfully, the news is more cheerful in certain genres — especially rap. The hyper-verbal form claims the two top slots this year, not to mention No. 10 (Eminem's "Encore"). At this point last year, rap CDs didn't rank any higher than No. 5 (Outkast's "Speakerboxx/The Love Below").

Rock is looking up, too. Green Day's 2004 release "American Idiot" has sold well enough to bag the No. 3 slot this year, while the Killers have nailed No. 7. And by year's end, the Coldplay CD will likely figure high, as well.

R&B in '05 can't crow over something as stellar as Usher's blockbuster. But one of its big names, Mariah Carey, has enjoyed a major comeback. Her "Emancipation of Mimi" ranks at No. 4, with enough momentum to hold a high place through year's end. The genre has also launched a major new star: John Legend, whose debut, "Get Lifted," stands at No. 9.

By contrast, country should be crying in its beer. The genre's top-ranking CD has only inched to a tepid No. 15: Kenny (Mr. Renee Zellweger) Chesney's "Be As You Are," followed by Rascal Flatts' "Feels Like Today" at No. 16. Last year at this time, Chesney had an album that got to No. 3.

Jrnygrl · 06-21-2005, 10:56 AM

Gee I thought the RIAA sueing everyone would change that!

vienna waits · 06-21-2005, 11:51 AM

GO KELLY!!!!!!!

Courtnee · 06-21-2005, 01:35 PM

YAY GREEN DAY!

Dean Winchester · 06-21-2005, 02:17 PM

well, the problem is that music isn't all that strong right now. I do like the Gwen, Mariah, Green Day and Killers albums in the top 10, but that's IT.
There really isn't much out right now that are absolute must-haves. Even though I dislike Usher and am glad Confessions is finally dropping lower and lower on the charts, the album was an event. 50 Cent doesn't have what it takes to appeal to the mass market that Usher does, and while Mariah will definately have her biggest album since 1995... keep in mind we are no longer IN 1995.

blame the companies and artists for releasing so few "must have" albums

Nighthawk76 · 06-21-2005, 07:03 PM

I've been pretty happy with the CDs that I've bought this year. Springsteen's Devils & Dust is his greatest album since 1987's Tunnel of Love. Robert Plant's newest album is also really good. True that is only two albums, but it is also a fact that I'm almost 30 years old and record companies are not targeting new music at me anymore. If I find two or three CDs a year that I like, I'm happy.

eltonfan80 · 06-21-2005, 07:22 PM

go usher & coldplay

Superstar · 06-22-2005, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idol Fanatic

GO KELLY!!!!!!!

Ditto!

06-21-2005, 09:39 AM	#1
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	Labels recording low note in sales by Jim Farber, NY Daily news Get ready for a new round of boo-hoos in the music business. While last week the industry traded high-fives over the results of its Super Tuesday/Coldplay blowout, it has reason to weep over its weak cumulative sales so far this year. Not only are the overall year-to-date numbers down 7% from 2004, but a direct comparison between the 10 top-selling albums of '04 and '05 at the June cutoff reveals an even more dramatic drop. The No. 10-selling CD at the halfway mark last year — Twista's "Kamikaze" — would qualify as No. 5 by this year's depressed standards. It sold nearly 500,000 more copies than half the albums in this year's Top 10. This year's troubles begin at the top. The biggest CD so far, 50 Cent's "Massacre," has moved 500,000 fewer platters than 2004's halfway king: Usher's "Confessions." (3.8 million versus 4.3 million). This, even though 50 has had three more weeks on the market. An even more damning gap is clear when you compare the No.2 CDs. Norah Jones' "Feels Like Home" had sold nearly 1 million copies more at this point last year than The Game's CD "Documentary" has so far in 2005 (3 million versus 2.04 mil). Thankfully, the news is more cheerful in certain genres — especially rap. The hyper-verbal form claims the two top slots this year, not to mention No. 10 (Eminem's "Encore"). At this point last year, rap CDs didn't rank any higher than No. 5 (Outkast's "Speakerboxx/The Love Below"). Rock is looking up, too. Green Day's 2004 release "American Idiot" has sold well enough to bag the No. 3 slot this year, while the Killers have nailed No. 7. And by year's end, the Coldplay CD will likely figure high, as well. R&B in '05 can't crow over something as stellar as Usher's blockbuster. But one of its big names, Mariah Carey, has enjoyed a major comeback. Her "Emancipation of Mimi" ranks at No. 4, with enough momentum to hold a high place through year's end. The genre has also launched a major new star: John Legend, whose debut, "Get Lifted," stands at No. 9. By contrast, country should be crying in its beer. The genre's top-ranking CD has only inched to a tepid No. 15: Kenny (Mr. Renee Zellweger) Chesney's "Be As You Are," followed by Rascal Flatts' "Feels Like Today" at No. 16. Last year at this time, Chesney had an album that got to No. 3. Attached Images
	__________________ .

06-21-2005, 11:51 AM	#3
vienna waits avatars are stupid. Forum Superstar Join Date: May 18, 2001 Location: Ravenclaw Common Room Posts: 29,859	GO KELLY!!!!!!!
	__________________ Me: Did you see Dunkleman in the audience at the finale? Crystal: No! Me: Yeah, that's because he wasn't invited.

06-21-2005, 01:35 PM	#4
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413	YAY GREEN DAY!
	__________________ Whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection A freckle on the nose of life's complexion The Cinderella or the shine apple of its eye I gotta fly once, I gotta try once, Only can die once, right, sir? Ooh, life is juicy, juicy and you see, I gotta have my bite, sir. Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a "comer" I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade

06-21-2005, 07:22 PM	#7
eltonfan80 RIP MJ I'LL MISS YOU FOREVER Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 11, 2005 Location: in a cloud above the sky Posts: 847	go usher & coldplay
	__________________ michael jackson 8-29-58- forever rip

06-21-2005, 10:56 AM	#2
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	Gee I thought the RIAA sueing everyone would change that!

06-21-2005, 02:17 PM	#5
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	well, the problem is that music isn't all that strong right now. I do like the Gwen, Mariah, Green Day and Killers albums in the top 10, but that's IT. There really isn't much out right now that are absolute must-haves. Even though I dislike Usher and am glad Confessions is finally dropping lower and lower on the charts, the album was an event. 50 Cent doesn't have what it takes to appeal to the mass market that Usher does, and while Mariah will definately have her biggest album since 1995... keep in mind we are no longer IN 1995. blame the companies and artists for releasing so few "must have" albums

06-21-2005, 07:03 PM	#6
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	I've been pretty happy with the CDs that I've bought this year. Springsteen's Devils & Dust is his greatest album since 1987's Tunnel of Love. Robert Plant's newest album is also really good. True that is only two albums, but it is also a fact that I'm almost 30 years old and record companies are not targeting new music at me anymore. If I find two or three CDs a year that I like, I'm happy.