After a dull week of new albums releases, this week promises quite the opposite as two big albums duke it out to be #1 next weekend.
Principally, this week marks the release of the sixth album (eighth LP counting his covers album and greatest hits) from Robbie Williams. Every single one of his previous seven releases has clocked in as one of the top 5 best-selling releases of the year--a remarkable achievement considering that most of these LPs were released in the last quarter. This year could be different though, as a change of direction in his music caused quite a few raised eyebrows. The reception of first single "Rudebox" was tepid--the single debuted at #4 but fell quickly and did not perform well on the airplay chart, a stark contrast to the first single from his last album, "Tripping," which hit #2 in sales and #1 in airplay. The second single, "Lovelight" is getting a warmer reception, and he may move enough discs on name alone to be #1. Personally, I'm quite eager to hear Rudebox, and I expect it to be a high-camp, dance-oriented retro album heavily influenced by the Pet Shop Boys and Scissor Sisters.
A #1 for Robbie Williams would be a sure thing if it wasn't for the appearance of another high-profile release, the third album from American rock band My Chemical Romance, The Black Parade. On it's face, this wouldn't sound like such a strong contender, however, the album has been getting extremely good reviews, and first single "Welcome to the Black Parade" has topped the UK singles chart for the last two weeks, noted by some music critics as an instant rock classic.
As it that's not enough, there's a few other high-profile releases that could be top 10 contenders. Starting those off is Meat Loaf's long-anticipated Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster is Loose, featuring his recent top 10 single remake of "It's All Coming Back to Me Now," which screamed Meat Loaf anyway when Celine Dion did it in 1996 owing to her over the top music video and its Jim Steinman origins. UK band Ordinary Boys releases How to Get Everything You Ever Wanted in Ten Easy Steps, which includes new single "Lonely at the Top" as well as "Boys Will Be Boys," which was on their last album. Mercury Prize nominee Isobel Campbell puts out her second album of the year, Mike White Sheets, which no one is expecting to live up to brilliant collaboration with Mark Lanegan from earlier this year.
In singles it's a hot week too, with a possibility of at least five new entries in the top 10. Leading the pack is Girls Aloud, who returns with the single from their upcoming greatest hits collection. Despite the fact that only one of the four singles from their last album, Chemistry, went top 5, this one has a good shot at becoming their third #1, owing to the fact that it debuted all the way up at #5 this weekend on downloads. It's a great track, much like last album's winner "Biology," being an irrepressible and irresistible energetic pop track.
Also expected to make a big splash is Beyonce's second B'Day single, "Irreplaceable." One of the album's slower numbers, it is a decent choice, and a far better choice for follow-up single than the dreadful "Ring the Alarm" that was released in the US. Amy Winehouse offers the quirky "Rehab," which is a cheeky, not serious, song, Cassie puts out her second single, decent but formulaic "Long Way 2 Go." DJ Fedde La Grande puts out hot dance track "Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit," The Kooks release their 6th single, winning "Ooh La," and The Magic Numbers return with "Take a Chance," from their forthcoming album, which is already getting heavy airplay for the enjoyable pop/rock track. Girls Aloud (4/5), Beyonce (3/5), Amy Winehouse (4/5), Cassie (2/5), Fedde la Grande (3/5), Kooks (4/5), Magic Numbers (4.5/5).
Also out is McFly's "Star Girl," which will compete with Girls Aloud for #1 (it will be their 6th if it makes it), Rihanna's "We Ride," and Raconteurs' "Broken Boy Soldiers."
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