GNR/STP Hybrid Blows Holes in Expectations with Magnum Force
June 9, 2004
After one day on sale, it looks like RCA?s Velvet Revolver is not only on target, it?s blowing the upper end of first-week projections clean off. Guess they feel lucky, punks.
Indeed, according to early reports from national accounts, the Guns N? Roses/Stone Temple Pilots-bred supergroup?s Contraband is on track to sell well over 200k and possibly into the 250k range for the week. Luckily, retailers were locked and loaded with plenty of stock on hand, knowing that hordes of consumers would want to pull the trigger after having the album in their sights for some time.
Reorders have been mounting steadily to keep up with demand, but it?s too early to tell if retailers are playing Russian roulette with a fickle record-buying public. Some expect Contraband to trend up through the weekend, but again, we?ll have to wait and see.
What we can tell you is that Velvet Revolver will have a #1 debut on next week?s album chart, dislodging Usher, who continues to be a familiar face at or near the top of the chart after nine weeks at the head of the class.
Don?t expect VR?s reign at #1 to assume Usherian proportions, however. Next week brings us the Beastie Boys, whose To the 5 Boroughs (Capitol) should have a comfortable #1 chart debut the week after next. Early first-week predictions are topping out at 500k, based on the 1.5 million the label?s shipping.
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