While Justin Bieber’s “Believe Acoustic” seems a lock for a No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200 albums chart next week, there should be a number of other high entries from a range of performers.
“Believe Acoustic” should enter at No. 1 with around 200,000 copies sold through the tracking week ending Feb. 3, according to industry sources. It will mark the 18-year-old’s fifth chart-topping set.
The new Billboard 200 chart’s top 10 will be revealed on the morning of Feb. 6.
Singer Andrea Bocelli will perhaps settle for the runner-up slot, as his new album, “Passione,” might sell around 85,000. Bocelli has yet to earn a No. 1 on the Billboard 200 — though he’s visited the top 10 six previous times. His highest-charting album was 2009’s “My Christmas,” which spent five consecutive weeks stuck at No. 2.
Pop/rock duo Tegan and Sara will easily claim their best week ever (and first top 10) on the chart, as the duo’s new release, “Heartthrob,” will probably bow in the top five with about 40,000. Tegan and Sara’s previous high came with “Sainthood,” which debuted and peaked at No. 21 in 2009 with 24,000 sold in its first week.
Other acts aiming for handsome debuts include R&B singer Charlie Wilson with “Love, Charlie” and Local Natives with “Hummingbird.” The former may sell around 30,000. “Love, Charlie” also happens to be Wilson’s fourth consecutive album to have his first name in the title. It follows “Just Charlie” in 2010, “Uncle Charlie” in 2009 and “Charlie, Last Name Wilson” in 2005.
On SoundScan’s Building chart (below), Bieber is No. 1 while Bocelli, Tegan and Sara, and Charlie Wilson are at Nos. 2-4. 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: the “Pitch Perfect” soundtrack is No. 5, followed by Gary Allan’s “Set You Free” (No. 6), Bruno Mars’ “Unorthodox Jukebox” (No. 7), Local Natives (No. 8), Taylor Swift’s “Red” (No. 9) and Colton Dixon’s new “A Messenger” (No. 10). [Billboard.biz]
| NIELSEN SOUNDSCAN BUILDING CHART | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | LW BB 200 |
Artist | Title |
| 1 | NEW | Justin Bieber | “Believe Acoustic” |
| 2 | NEW | Andrea Bocelli | “Passione” |
| 3 | NEW | Tegan and Sara | “Heartthrob” |
| 4 | NEW | Charlie Wilson | “Love, Charlie” |
| 5 | 3 | Soundtrack | “Pitch Perfect” |
| 6 | 1 | Gary Allan | “Set You Free” |
| 7 | 8 | Bruno Mars | “Unorthodox Jukebox” |
| 8 | NEW | Local Natives | “Hummingbird” |
| 9 | 9 | Taylor Swift | “Red” |
| 10 | NEW | Colton Dixon | “A Messenger” |
| 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. | |||
