Given its smaller market share, Sony BMG’s hit-rich schedule could be good enough to add to its 24% album market share at the expense of UMG’s 31% share. EMI’s schedule looks as strong as its 9% album share, but a lot is riding on Janet Jackson, whether Coldplay remains on this year’s release schedule and its ability to develop to artists. WMG has some very promising titles that could help it surpass its 16% share but lacks the sure-thing blockbusters that fill UMG and Sony BMG’s schedule. The company is good, though, at scoring left-field hits.
EMI’s schedule has some hits and a few titles with an outside shot at breaking out: Janet Jackson, Coldplay, Beenie Man, Meatloaf, Chingy, Daz Dillinger, R.E.M. (IRS years compilation), Bob Seger, Trace Adkins, Bonnie Raitt, Daz Dillinger, Enigma, Celtic Women and Lenny Kravitz.
Wildcards: The Panic Channel (members of Jane’s Addiction), The Kooks, Sean Lennon, The Decemberists, The Summer Obession, Stacie Orrico, Over It.Indie labels have strong releases and should have a great summer and fall, most noteably Ani DiFranco, Michael Franti, Pitbull, Basement Jaxx, Bright Eyes and Yo La Tengo. Lil’ Jon should have an album out in September but no street date has been announced.
Here’s the entire list of upcoming releases, sorted by street date.
October 31st
• Coldplay: tba (Capitol)
• Maroon 5: tba (J)
• Paul Wall: Get Money, Stay True (Asylum/Atlantic)
• Barry Manilow: Sixties Greatest Love Songs (Arista)
• Coheed and Cambria: tba (live album) (Equal Vision/Columbia)
• Meatloaf: Bat Out Of Hell III (EMI)
• Willie Nelson: Willie Nelson & The Cardinals (Universal Music Group)
• Maurice White: Interpretations (Universal Music Group)
• Lucinda Williams: tba (Universal Music Group)
Source: http://www.coolfer.com
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