Carrie Underwood is going to blow away the competition this week, as her "Blown Away" album should easily top the Billboard 200 chart -- so say industry sources. The country diva's fourth studio album is on track to sell between 275,000 and 300,000 copies by the end of the tracking week on Sunday, May 6.
The new Billboard 200 chart's top 10 will be revealed on the morning of Wednesday, May 9.
But Underwood isn't the only big name that dropped a new album this week. Norah Jones' "Little Broken Hearts" is aiming for the No. 2 slot with around 90,000 to 100,000 in sales, while B.o.B's "Strange Clouds" may make a top five start with 65,000 to 75,000 copies.
All four of Jones' previous studio albums have reached the top three on the Billboard 200. Her first three efforts hit No. 1 -- "Come Away With Me," "Feels Like Home" and "Not Too Late." Her last set, 2009's "The Fall," debuted and peaked at No. 3 off a 180,000 start, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
B.o.B's second studio album, "Strange Clouds," is the follow-up to 2010's "The Adventures of Bobby Ray," which debuted at No. 1 (84,000). His new release is led by the album's title track, which hit No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the new single "So Good" (No. 11).
The new "Now 42" compilation will also make waves next week, giving the long-running hits franchise yet another top 10 set. It should sell about 90,000 to 100,000 -- and might block Jones from the No. 2 position.
Marilyn Manson may grab his seventh top 10 album with the arrival of "Born Villain" -- his first album after departing Interscope Records. The new set may sell around 30,000 to 40,000.
On Nielsen SoundScan's Building chart (below), Underwood is No. 1 while Jones, "Now 42" and B.o.B are in the Nos. 2-4 slots, respectively. The Building tally is a precursor to the final Billboard 200 ranking, reflecting the first four days (Monday through Thursday) of SoundScan's tracking week as reported by six major merchants.
As for the rest of the Building Chart: Adele's "21" is No. 5, followed by Lionel Richie's "Tuskegee" at No. 6 and Jack White's current No. 1 album, "Blunderbuss," at No. 7. Marilyn Manson is in the No. 8 spot, with One Direction's "Up All Night" and Lee Brice's "Hard 2 Love" at Nos. 9 and 10.
Nielsen SoundScan Building ChartThe Building Chart reflects the first four days (Monday through Thursday) of SoundScan's tracking week (which ends Sunday) as reported by six major merchants: iTunes, Trans World Entertainment, Best Buy, Starbucks, Target and Anderson Merchandisers. Billboard estimates that they make up about 85% of all U.S. album sales.