Anyone worried about the continuing degrading of album sales can breathe easy this week. Two huge releases didn't quite compete for the top spot, but they did set a Billboard total sales mark for 2014.
Coldplay, as predicted, was at the top of the Billboard 200 with its new album Ghost Stories. The 383,000 copies sold in its first week make it the best-selling debut yet for 2014, outselling Eric Church's The Outsiders by nearly 100,000 tracks. It's still a huge sales drop from Mylo Xyloto, which sold 447,000 copies.
Brantley Gilbert was the more surprising big finisher, at least for those who haven't been keeping up with country music. The performer's Just As I Am sold 211,000 copies, making this the first week since Lady Gaga and Eminem both hit the mark last summer. Gilbert's new record topped his last by more than 150,000 in its first week.
Michael Jackson is the first of three acts that return to the Top 10 after debuting last week. His compilation Xscape, moving another 67,000 copies and falling to no. 3. The Black Keys beat out Jackson for no. 1 last week, but Turn Blue couldn't keep up the pace and fell to no. 5 with 54,000 copies (that gives Jackson a slight lead overall). Rascal Flatts is the last returnee from last week, as its Rewind sold just under 22,000 copies and took the no. 10 spot.
Other returnees include the Frozen soundtrack, which sold another 65,000 copies during its 26th week on the charts. NOW 50 remained for a third week, falling to no. 6 but moving 51,000 albums. Iggy Azalea actually made a triumphant return this week, rising from no. 14 to no. 9 with The New Classic after a huge boost provided by her Billboard Awards performance and her high download sales. The album sold 22,000 copies.
Two additional new albums popped up this week, taking spots no. 7 and 8, respectively. Phillip Philips sold 41,000 of his second album Behind The Light, which is unfortunately more than 100,000 less than his last debut. The Fault in Our Stars is the second soundtrack represented in the Top 10 this week, thanks to its 41,000 copies sold. The compilation features Ed Sheeran and Charlie XCX among others.
