NEILSTEIN SOUNDSCAM: PONDERING THE DREADED 60-70% SECOND WEEK DROP

It’s been interesting to watch chart patterns change over the past few years; there is so much emphasis on first-week numbers now that it’s considered totally normal for a record to drop between 60% and 70% from week one to week two. I don’t have hard data to back this up, but I’m pretty sure the record execs of the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and even early ’00s would’ve scoffed at front-loading a record’s sales like that. Why so much initial hype? Why let the ball drop so quickly thereafter? It’s about the long-term career of a band, not making an initial splash; those who burn brightly at the beginning often die off faster anyway.

As the industry moves away from ownership towards streaming with services like Spotify (and the service Apple will surely launch soon), emphasis will move away from that first-week hype. As pointed out by Bob Lefsetz in a recent newsletter, if a track leaks, no big deal… just post it to Spotify and start earning income right away, even before release date. Same if an album leaks. Nothing lost, the leak is nullified. But I digress.

Let’s look at last week’s debuts, second week drops and more after the jump.

10 DIR EN GREY – DUM SPIRO SPERO
Last week: 3,919 (debut)

Everyone I’ve talked to really seems to dig this record. I need to give it a listen.

12 BURY YOUR DEAD – MOSH N’ ROLL
Last week: 3,695 (debut)

Breakdowny breakdown McBreakdownersons sell records!

22 SUICIDE SILENCE – BLACK CROWN
Last week: 2,991
Cume: 26,006

With only a 12% drop from the week prior, this seems to be leveling off. If it can continue to sell 2-3k per week it’ll be in good shape come the end of the year.

25 ALL SHALL PERISH – THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS
Last week: 2,889
Cume: 11,406

The dreaded 66% second week drop.

53 COLD – SUPERFICTION
Last week: 1,749
Cume: 16,169

Cold: STILL still a thing.

54 IWRESTLEDABEARONCE – RUINING IT FOR EVERYBODY
Last week: 1,710
Cume: 7,103

See All Shall Perish, above, but with a 68% drop.

64 JASTA – JASTA
Last week: 1,527
Cume: 5,567

See ASP and IWABO above, but with a 62% drop. Why no love for Jamey’s solo stuff?

90 CHELSEA GRIN – MY DAMNATION
Last week: 1,273
Cume: 10,495

Mini-me Suicide Silence, both musically and in chart patterns.

-VN