Its likely shelf-life remains a mystery, but Justin Bieber’s “Under the Mistletoe” can at least know it is off to a strong start.
Based on opening day sales figures, Hits Daily Double forecasts an opening week in the 200-225,000 range. Where it lands and where it goes from here is questionable, the source notes, due to the complexity of the album being both a Christmas album and a teenie-bopper album.
The former albums tend to be lukewarm-starters but show legs throughout the entire holiday season, while teen efforts, especially in the iTunes era, are front-loaded due to all the rabid fans picking up the cut in the first few days.
Surprisingly-close behind Bieber will be Wale, whose “Ambition,” is tracking for a debut in the 170-190,000 range. That could give him the edge over Susan Boyle, whose “Someone to Watch Over Me” is paced for 145-160,000 but will undoubtedly have a shelf-life.
Miranda Lambert’s fourth mainstream album “Four the Record” looks good for 125-140,000, besting the 90,000 projection for Florence+The Machine’s “Ceremonials.”
Tyrese’s “Open Invitation,” meanwhile, could net a solid 60-65,000.
