It has been a long time since the music industry had two heavyweight releases hit back-to-back two weeks in a row.
After last week's million plus seller from Lil Wayne, Coldplay has given the music biz another enormous jolt, with sales of around 729,000 for 'Viva La Vida'.While the success of both Lil Wayne and Coldplay has the label bosses wiping the sweat from their brows of late, the bigger question is why are these two albums selling?
There could be a very simple answer ... quality.
Coldplay's last album 'X&Y' sold almost the same in the first week as 'Viva La Vida'. It did 737,000 in the first week.
The downturn in the music industry has not affected Coldplay in the last 3 years, nor has it affected Lil Wayne.
As unveiled in the Undercover poll this month, music fans see very little quality in the new music that is being released. That was apparent with the lack of major acts that have been developed in the 21st century.
Last week's UK chart looked more like the best of the 60s and 70s. In the Australian chart this week, the top 100 features old albums from Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Abba, Eurythmics, AC/DC and John Lennon.
Every Coldplay album is in the Australian chart this week. 'X&Y' is at 65, 'A Rush of Blood To The Head' is at 75 and 'Parachutes' is at 18 in real sales in the combined chart.
The claims from the music industry that downloading is killing business are utter bullshit.
What people have a hard time is swallowing the contrite acts manufactured by people in suits who try and sell "the product" (as they refer to their acts) via expensive marketing campaigns.
People will buy quality if the industry serves it to them. Coldplay proved that this week with 'Viva La Vida'.
If you have an opinion on what is wrong with the music biz, email me at paul@undercover.com.au
