It’s down to hard rock vs. soft pop for the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 album chart next week.
Billboard.biz reports Van Halen might be on its way to a sixth career #1 album - unless Adele's “21” stands in the veteran band's way.
Industry sources suggest that Van Halen's “A Different Kind Of Truth” may sell about 180,000 to 200,000 copies by the end of the tracking week on Sunday, February 12.
Under normal circumstances, that would be enough for VH to bump Adele from the top slot, where she’s currently enjoying her 19th non-consecutive week at #1. This past week, “21” sold 122,000 copies.
However, this isn't a normal week.
Following vocal cord surgery last fall, Adele is set to return to live performance on the Grammy Awards this Sunday, where she’s up for 6 honors, including Album Of The Year, Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year.
Which means a whole of buzz and hype – and momentum – could lead to a flurry of sales for the Brit singer this weekend, keeping her at the top of the chart and prevent VH from a #1 debut.
If Van Halen does reach No. 1, it will be the band's first chart-topping album with reunited frontman David Lee Roth. Their last album with Roth - “1984” – spent five weeks at #2, prevented from the top spot by the Michael Jackson powerhouse known as “Thriller.”
Riding high on “1984’s” success, Van Halen's other four other #1s were their four studio albums with Roth's replacement, Sammy Hagar: “5150” (1986), “OU812” (1988), “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge” (1991) and “Balance” (1995).
VH’s fifth #1 was 1996’s “Best Of Volume One” compilation, which featured two new tracks with Roth – his first songs with the band (at that time) in 12 years.
The new Billboard 200 chart's top 10 will be revealed on the morning of Wednesday, February 15.
Van Halen Van Halen – Tattoo
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