With none of the week’s low-profile album releases showing evidence of a breakout, indications are that holdover releases from Nas and Zac Brown Band will compete for the top spot on next week’s Billboard 200.
As far as new releases go, The Gaslight Anthem’s major label debut “Handwritten” is pacing atop the pack, but its projected total of 30-35,000, per data from Hits Daily Double, is far from groundbreaking. Indie label predecessor “American Slang” released to the tune of 26,000 first-week sales in 2010.
Closely behind “Handwritten” will be “Gossamer” from Passion Pit. The duo’s follow-up to 2009’s “Manners” looks poised for an opening week tally between 28,000 and 32,000.
The country duo’s new single “Angel Eyes” is heating up on the country charts, but Love and Theft’s actual new album is hardly looking like a breakout. The self-titled sophomore album looks good for 12-15,000 in weekly sales.
Jennifer Lopez’s greatest hits compilation “Dance Again…The Hits” will do little to replace the “American Idol” income she left on the table; it will rival “Love and Theft” in the 12-15,000 territory.
