In an unchanged top three on European Top 100 Albums, Coldplay’s “X&Y” (Parlophone) is No. 1 for a seventh straight week. Shakira’s “Fijacion Oral Vol.1” (Epic) stands at No. 2 again, after seven weeks, and English singer-songwriter James Blunt’s “Back To Bedlam” (Atlantic) holds at No. 3.
In the United Kingdom, Coldplay’s third studio set has surpassed the one million over-the-counter sales milestone to become the year’s best-seller, according to the Official U.K. Charts Company. “Bedlam” is not far behind with more than 760,000 copies sold in 2005, the OCC says. Blunt’s album also climbs 3-2 in France. The single “You’re Beautiful” holds at No. 6 on Eurochart Hot 100 Singles and No. 1 in the United Kingdom.
Green Day’s tireless “American Idiot” (Reprise) makes its latest rebound on Top 100 Albums, jumping 8-4 in its 44th week on the survey after an 11-7 improvement in the United Kingdom.
Multi-national classical crossover act Il Divo is on the march again. It eponymous debut for Syco Music/Sony BMG is up 10-5 on Top 100 Albums after debuting at No. 1 in Sweden. The album is also up 9-6 in France.
The new double CD compilation “The Essential Michael Jackson” (Epic) is the composite chart’s highest new entry, at No. 6. “Essential” is the only arrival in the top 20. The chart bow suggests that Jackson’s popularity is undimmed by his recent trials and tribulations, at least among British music fans where the record debuts at No. 2 on sales of 45,527 units. The TV-advertised set reaches back into Jackson’s Motown catalog with the Jackson 5 as well as his solo work.
Crazy Frog’s “Axel F” (Mach1) tops the Eurochart for a sixth week. The latest European countries to be conquered by the ubiquitous amphibian are Sweden and Norway, with the single climbing 2-1 in both territories. Pre-teen French singer Ilona Mitrecey’s “Un Monde Parfait” (Scorpio) is challenging Crazy Frog’s rule, though, with a 3-2 move on the Eurochart. The song moves 3-2 in the Czech Republic and 5-3 in Austria, while its follow-up “C’Est Les Vacances” is at No. 10 again on the Eurochart.
Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” (El Cartel), widely seen as the first international reggaeton hit, climbs 23-8 on the Eurochart, helped by a No. 5 debut in the United Kingdom. The track sells 14,000 units in its first week there.
Lee Ryan, from one of the United Kingdom’s most consistently popular boy bands of recent years, Blue, makes his solo debut with “Army of Lovers” (Brightside), at No. 3 in his home territory and No. 12 on the Eurochart.
