As earlier reported on Wednesday (Oct. 3), it seems Mumford & Sons‘ “Babel” album will hold at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 next week. Label sources have suggested the album could sell 150,000 or more in its sophomore frame, and that should be enough to block any new releases from taking the top slot.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The new Billboard 200 chart’s top 10 will be revealed on the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 10.
Even with Mumford holding on to the penthouse, there won’t be a lack of action happening in the top 10. Upwards of six new albums may start in the region, led by Muse‘s “The 2nd Law,” which seems a lock for a No. 2 bow. The album might move 110,000 or more — and will benefit from a performance on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” this weekend.
Muse, Miguel Albums Aiming for Top of Billboard 200
Miguel‘s second release, “Kaleidoscope Dream,” is poised for a No. 3 debut (60,000 or so) while Three Days Grace‘s “Transit of Venus” could enter with 55,000 to 60,000. The latter’s last album, 2009’s “Life Starts Now,” bounded in at No. 3 with 79,000 sold according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Two-time Grammy Award winner Diana Krall is set for her fifth top 10 album as “Glad Rag Doll” should sell around 50,000. She’s visited the top 10 before with 2009’s “Quiet Nights” (No. 3), 2006’s “From This Moment On” (No. 7), 2004’s “The Girl In the Other Room” (No. 4) and 2001’s “The Look of Love” (No. 9).
The new “Glad Rag Doll” album will easily lock up Krall’s tenth No. 1 on the Traditional Jazz Albums chart.
Rounding out the possible top 10 debuts for next week is British singer Cher Lloyd. Her debut album “Sticks & Stones” might sell 30,000 copies. In her native U.K., the effort peaked at No. 4 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart. Lloyd found success on the Billboard Hot 100 chart earlier this year with the No. 12 hit “Want U Back.”
12-year old singer Jackie Evancho could notch her third top 10 album, as “Songs From the Silver Screen” is aiming for a start of 35,000 or more. The covers album includes Evancho’s takes on “My Heart Will Go On,” “What a Wonderful World” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” The big-voiced artist has claimed top 10 albums with 2010’s “O Holy Night” EP and the following year’s “Dream With Me.”
On Nielsen SoundScan’s Building chart (below), Mumford & Sons is No. 1, followed by Muse and Miguel at Nos. 2 and 3. The Building tally is a precursor to the final Billboard 200 ranking — reflecting the first four days (Monday through Thursday) of SoundScan’s tracking week as reported by six major merchants.
As for the rest of the Building chart’s top 10: Three Days Grace is No. 4 while P!nk’s “The Truth About Love” is No. 5. Lloyd, Krall and Evancho are Nos. 6-8, respectively. Rounding out the top 10 are Little Big Town’s “Tornado” (No. 9) and the “Cruel Summer” compilation (No. 10).
| Nielsen SoundScan Building Chart | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | LW BB 200 |
Artist | Title |
| 1 | 1 | Mumford & Sons | “Babel” |
| 2 | NEW | Muse | “The 2nd Law” |
| 3 | NEW | Miguel | “Kaleidoscope Dream” |
| 4 | NEW | Three Days Grace | “Transit of Venus” |
| 5 | 4 | P!nk | “The Truth About Love” |
| 6 | NEW | Cher Lloyd | “Sticks & Stones” |
| 7 | NEW | Diana Krall | “Glad Rag Doll” |
| 8 | NEW | Jackie Evancho | “Songs From the Silver Screen” |
| 9 | 9 | Little Big Town | “Tornado” |
| 10 | 7 | Various Artists | “Cruel Summer” |
| The Building Chart reflects the first four days (Monday through Thursday) of SoundScan’s tracking week (which ends Sunday) as reported by six major merchants: iTunes, Trans World Entertainment, Best Buy, Starbucks, Target and Anderson Merchandisers. Billboard estimates that they make up about 85% of all U.S. album sales. | |||