all the hype for EWF's and Stevie Wonder's new cd's pretty much seem to have died down. Madonna's new single didn't threaten the top 10. Even Toni Braxton, who is a newbie compared to some other artists, didn't do all that hot. does this bother you? you can blame the media or the record companies for noy hyping up a new release, but ultimately if these acts sold millions in the past before, wouldn't they still have the same fans who would rush out to get their new product?

meltwithu said:

Nope, it doesn't bother me at all. I know what I like and I buy what I like. It makes no difference to me if it's a hit or not. Most (not all) of the stuff that does go gold and beyond these days is crap anyway. I can think of many albums that were recently released that went gold that fall into this category. For example:

Gwen Stefani's LAMB - pure pop garbage, but she will win all kinds of awards for it. Go figure.

No. Sales don't equal talent. If that was the case, Ashlee Simpson, 50 Cent ect. wouldn't be anywhere near the top ten.

Well, Madonna's new album will go gold within two weeks, and platinum shouldn't be that unattainable. Last year U2 sold over 800,000 copies of their album in the first week, and if I'm not mistaken, Bon Jovi's last CD hit #2.
I think that some of these older artists still have huge fanbases that are willing to buy their work.

Absolutely not. I'm thrilled that many of my favorite artists are still alive and still making music.

nah. older artists had their time on the top 40 charts, now that they're established for a decade or two (or four, in some cases), the only thing they really have to prove is the quality of their work. the top 40 is more of a proving ground than anything, as far as i'm concerned...ya spend a few years with your name popping back up on the charts, you'll probably be sticking around for a while. of course, this is under ideal circumstances, when the charts are cactually accurate reflections of what we're buying and listening to...

I am more offended by perceptions that sales equal these artists' "worth" to us, or the level of respect they should receive.

There's certainly many underground artists that NEVER sold well and maybe never will but their work is still better.

Axchi696 said:

u2 r the exception to the rule


madonna will do ok maybe but it depends if her single catches on

it will definately go down this week to maybe #27 i think but might bounce back

she gets more airplay then most artist do


but somehow ppl aint buyin her single as much as they used to

her last album did first week of 241k i expect this album to do less but its more about how long she will hangs around

Most artist can have great 1st week sale but none of them have staying power

asg said:

WBR pushes albums over singles that's part of the problem in America with Madonna. All over the world though Hung Up is headed for #1.

meltwithu said:

EWF is signed to Sanctuary Urban. That's the label that Mathew Knowles has run into the red something serious. They're slashing jobs right and left, and don't have the funds to do any kind of promo. Toni is signed to Blackground. She should have known what was up when her album got pushed to the back for Jojo's. And, poor Stevie's on Motown. Name the last big selling act pushed on Motown besides India Arie? That's a label that's been in some serious transition,and had a new label head. Andre Harrell was fired from his post, and Sylvia Rhone is now running things. Sylvia is the moron that used to run Elecktra records. You don't see or hear from these people because they're on bullshit labels. How are the fans supposed to know an albums out w/ no video, little airplay, and promo? W/ that said Madonna is going to be alright. Her fans want to make sure that Mariah isn't the only diva that has commercial success this year.

Axchi696 said:

I think you know U2 had a very different situation when releasing their last album versus Madonna. Madonna is coming off of American Life, and U2 was coming off of a successful All That You Can't Leave Behind. And, Bon Jovi did come in at number 2 right behind Disturbed. That's not anything to brag about.

ehuffnsd said:

That's good that they push album over single. Look at acts like the Pussycat Dolls and Rhianna who do great w/ digital single sales, but can't sell their albums.
[Edited 11/9/05 11:54am]

Yeah it does bother me. I mean, I want them to sell records so they'll make more records.

EWF's lack of sales was very troubling. I thought there was enough hype around it to take it gold. But I think Stevie is close to gold if he hasn't passed it already. I saw something a few weeks back that had him over 300K.

The one who's sales (or lack there of) really bug me are Raphael Saadiq's. That cat gets no love from these knuckleheads today.

intha916 said:

30 WONDER*STEVIE TIME TO LOVE 31,006 -34 46,690 202,915

he just passed 200k

It does bother me and I wish that Billy Idol's cd did better. Does anyone know how many copies it sold?

it's an aging population...how come all the grey-haired actors and actresses got all the awards this year? music is for kids, for the younger ones. your lucky to see an elvis, or the beatles or pinkfloyd tribute.
[Edited 11/9/05 18:58pm]

roundables said:

Yeah, that is true. Madonna has been known to bounce back, though. I'm not too worried about her album flopping. Also keep in mind that pre-'All That You Can't Leave Behind', U2 had just come off 'Pop' which failed to live up to their sales expectations.

Also, remember that a lot of these older artists are the ones that are still huge live draws. Ashley Simpson might be topping the Billboard charts, but I don't think people are scrambling to get a ticket to her show like they would for a Pearl Jam, McCartney, or Rolling Stones show. Hell, last year Madonna and Prince topped the Pollstar list, this year it's U2 and Elton John. People are still interested in these acts, as evidenced by their ticket sales.