The Top Five Albums That Are Going To Be Given As Holiday Gifts This Year: An Unscientific Survey

Sure, Black Friday was a disappointing day for artists who had new releases out, but a little bit of digging into SoundScan shows that the numbers weren’t all bad. Taylor Swift, for example, had quite the banner week; her new album Fearless experienced a rare third-week upswing, one that was so dramatic, she nabbed the No. 2 spot on the chart, ahead of Chinese Democracy—and her old album surged back into the Top 30, too. There were many other artists whose albums’ sales tallies improved from the prior week, no doubt thanks to some people out there still being OK with the prospect of holiday shopping. (Not too many, but a few.) After the jump, a look at which albums actually performed well on the first-gift-giving-week’s chart, and the family members for whom they’re likely being snagged.

1. Taylor Swift, Fearless
THE NUMBERS: Up 23% in its third week on the chart, Fearless sold 267,000 copies during Black Friday week, or about 6,000 more units than Guns N’ Roses’ much-talked-about Chinese Democracy. And her two-year-old debut album was up 68% week-to-week as well, selling 40,000 copies and coming in at No. 29.
THE GIFTEE: Oh gosh, anyone, really. She’s adorable! And her sparkly guitar! OK, maybe those people who want Black Ice will balk at opening this. And so will the Jonas Brothers. But anyone else.

2. Coldplay, Viva La Vida
THE NUMBERS: Up 127% from the previous week, Viva sold 43,000 copies and vaulted to No. 25 (from No. 54). That’s no doubt thanks in part to the release of a deluxe edition that tacked on the Prospekt’s March EP—which sold 77,000 copies on its own and debuted at No. 15—but one can’t overestimate the broad appeal of Chris Martin & Co, and the fact that they’re one of the few rock bands left who actually have some sort of wide-spanning celebrity status.
THE GIFTEE: The cool aunt who has everything. (And who probably has this disc already, and will exchange it for a copy of the Killers’ Day & Age.)

3. Pink, Funhouse
THE NUMBERS: A 46% increase over the previous week gives Pink a reverse bullet (she slipped from No. 19 to No. 20 on the chart, despite seeing a sales increase of about 19,000 copies); her two performances on the American Music Awards telecast probably helped her show the album’s “serious” side to prospective buyers, since she eschewed the bratty “So What” for a wrenching performance of “Sober” and a duet with Sarah McLachlan on the tear-jerker “Angel.” (I’m kind of surprised that song isn’t available for purchase on iTunes yet, honestly—all the money could go to the ASPCA!)
THE GIFTEE: The awkward cousin who wears PETA t-shirts to family events.

4. Jonas Brothers, A Little Bit Longer; Jonas Brothers; Camp Rock soundtrack
THE NUMBERS: The mop-topped siblings’ new effort shot back into the Top 25 (43,000 sold, up 58%); the self-titled debut was up 94% (18,000 sold, No. 65); and the soundtrack to their Disney vehicle—which is just past the platinum mark—shot up 96% (23,000 sold, No. 53).
THE GIFTEE: The 12-year-old niece who seems excitable, but spends all of her time at family gatherings watching Disney On Demand.

5. David Archuleta
THE NUMBERS: Only off by about 300 copies in its third week on the chart (No. 19, 66,000 sold). Sure, David Cook’s self-titled album has already lapped his to-date total despite being out for seven fewer days, but c’mon, even I am starting to warm to the newest Osmond, and I could just see many a lady cooing over his just-about-to-sneeze face when they open their gifts.
THE GIFTEE: Your mom. (No, really.)