Idolator

Bon Jovi is #1 with a 50k+ lead ahead of WS. Crap.

I have never understood how people enjoy Bon Jovi. What a shitty, shitty band.

There was no way it was ever gonna be the White Stripes. I voted Paisley, but there should've been a "none" option, I wouldn't put it past Toby Keith to have a good 2nd week. Either way, with Bon Jovi pandering to the CMT crowd it's gonna be a country #1.

@Aquemini: For once, you and I are in total agreement.

I predict BJ, but there's no joy in that prediction. If the Stripes can't pull it out - and it looks all but impossible at this point - I hope Paisley has a come-from-behind surge and knocks Jon Bon off. Anything to keep that twerp from #1. BJ (I love calling them that) has had a streak of #2 albums since the early '90s, and if this one goes to #1 I think it'd be their first chart-topper since New Jersey in '88.

Basically, BJ are going to benefit from the same strategy that gave Jimmy Buffett his first-ever #1 album three years ago - add a handful of suburban-country fans while holding onto the bulk of your fanbase, and your record's a juggernaut.

mediocrity is Jovi's middle name, and middling America is going to buy it.

My favorite idiot Bon Jovi moment ever was in a piece in Melody Maker in 1993 or so wherein he claimed his band was the specific inspiration for grunge. What a sad fool.

@capn_guthrie: so true...guess it's just a matter of time until the inevitable duet with Rascal Flatts. Cringe.

The early predictions gave BJ, WS and BP in a three-way-tie to the top. I don't know about Toby Keith, but the only good second week I've seen all year is Michael Buble's, who shot to #1 thanks to Mother's Day.

I think it's healthier, though useless at this point, to root for Jack and Meg anyway, right?

Mr. Dennisobell: You are spot-on; the new way to keep selling records when you're way past your prime: add some shitty violin or twang and market yourself as country. I fucking hate American culture sometimes.

Since the majority of physical discs get sold at "big-box with a 60-acre parking lot" retailers like Wal Mart, it really isn't much of a shock that country is doing better and better all the time on the charts.

"If you are still buying CDs and not downloading ... you might be a redneck"

@Ned Raggett: JBJ's got a pretty good sense of humor. I think he meant his band was the specific inspiration for grunge AS A REACTION.

Would that it were so. If I can find the quote you can judge but if he were being tongue-in-cheek or the like on it then that man has such a dry sense of humor you can hear crackling every time he talks.