|
Possible Explanation About Sudden Record Debut Drop-Offs On The Billboard 200
For those who read our report yesterday about Marilyn Manson's huge drop in the Billboard 200 from its debut at #13 last week to #60, we have some insight for you about the significant drop thanks to our good friend NINXPX.
Now anyone who has been paying attention to sales and chart positions with regard to Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and other bands is probably noticing a few similarities in the chart activity.
High debut, then major fall off. Well... Both Trent and Manson are two of the few (if not only) artists who refuse to offer edited or "cleaned-up" versions of their records. Feeling this compromises the integrity of their art. Tool being another example (with the exception of Undertow, which they packaged their edited record with a giant barcode as a protest).
"Most artists that use profanity or have what is deemed "explicit content" offer an alternate version of their record (meaning all the profanity is bleeped out, new names for songs, different artwork, etc)," explained NINXPX. "If you go to CDNow," he added, "you will notice 2 versions of every rap and rock album that has any sort of position on the Billboard 200."
"In fact, over the last 2 years Manson and NIN are virtually the only artists who both refused to edit their albums and still cracked the Billboard top 20," he said. "They are also two of the only artists to make such dramatic drops on the charts."
Rollingstone ran an article recently about album sales and where most happen. "The majority of record sales take place at large chains like Target, K-Mart and most importantly WAL-MART," explained NINXPX. "Sales at actual record stores are at a low. Well, as many of us know, Wal-Mart refuses to carry any albums requiring a Parental Advisory sticker, basically making the choice for people about what music they should and shouldn't buy." In short, this means that one of the top retailers for music in this country, responsible for the majority of American record sales refuses albums by Manson, NIN and any other artist not willing to alter their art for the sake of commerce. "The result is what you have been seeing on the charts," NINXPX said. Doesn't really make you feel any better, but it's a good thing to keep in mind, and may help explain the rather odd chart activity. Keep the faith!
[ Return
To News ]
|
