Idolator

I vote for Now!...26. But I also agree with your prediction that Celine will outsell Alicia. I know [think?] dennisobell loves "No One", but that song does nothing for me.

Also, Duran Duran has a new record? Featuring contributions from JT, Timbaland, and Danja? Color me intrigued...

I want to say that I don't understand Alicia Keys' appeal, but I unfortunately do. I just can't believe there are enough housewives and Englishman out there to make her #1 this week.

Alicia will get it, although the album is not that great. "No One" is massive and "Like You'll Never See Me Again" is exploding at Urban radio. She has the high profile and the hits, which should put her above Celine.

Celine Dion was on Oprah yesterday. 'Nuff said.

@extracrispy: Thanks, I was going to ask that question: Who's going on Oprah?

Game over -- if there were no Oprah appearance, I'd say Aleb was right-on, given Keys's radio profile. But Dion + Oprah = 400-500K albums, easy. Plus, to partially contradict something I said last week about Keys appealing to older listeners -- Keys is relying at least in part on younger fans, who might torrent the album; and Dion has Keys positively whupped in the inspiring-soccer-Moms-to-the-mall category.

Keys's only hope: a rising tide of Dion fans lifts her boat, too (soccer moms go to the mall to pick up Dion, grab Keys while they're at it) and then her more contemporary Top 40/R&B-listening fans put her over the top.

But that's a tall order. Again: Dion has Oprah. Keys is likely all but dead.

@dennisobell: I think Celine-on-Oprah flew under my radar -- not in the target demo myself -- but I suspect you're correct that this will put her over the top.

Also, does it matter that Alicia is shilling for Target in a commercial promoting this record?

Finally, I take back my vote for Now!...26, although I maintain that it is the true dark horse in this race.

jesus. that alicia keys' record isn't even out yet? i've already maxed out on the single (which, for all its faults, is actually pretty damn catchy), the remix (catchy, not so much) and a fucking cross promotional target ad. we live in a strange time.

Keys has been all over MTV Hits (I think that's the one) the last week or so, helping remind me how kinda annoying I find her music. I guess they're at least partly shooting for an audience that wouldn't be buying the Dion album in the first place.

Also, I too thought the album came out already. When was that NY Times profile? September?

So, does Linda Perry pay residuals or something to Pink for giving her a second career?