Mariah Carey - Me. I am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse
(FW: 58k; Total: 117k)
Why It Looks Bad: Not only was Carey's new record her lowest-charting non-holiday album of the SoundScan era, but its year-to-date total is less than what Memoirs sold its first week out. Furthermore, Elusive Chanteuse basically sold half of its YTD total in its first week, which strongly suggests the only people interested in a new Mariah album are the die-hard fans. And at 58,000 units, it seems the number of die-hards is dwindling.
Jennifer Lopez - A.K.A.
(FW: 33k; Total: 71k)
Why It Looks Bad: While past J.Lo albums have debuted at lower chart positions, the first-week tally for A.K.A. is still embarrassing. And unlike Mariah's record, which some felt Carey didn't promote heavily enough, Lopez got plenty of publicity prior to her flop's drop.
Robin Thicke - Paula
(FW: 25k; Total: 48k)
Why It Looks Bad: Despite a lengthy career preceding "Blurred Lines," Thicke's last album was seen as a commercial breakthrough. The dismal sales for Paula -- an album-length plea to his estranged wife -- make it seem like Thicke entering the A-list was a short-lived fluke.
Karmin - Pulses
(FW: 10k; Total: 27k)
Why It Looks Bad: Any artist making the jump from viral sensation to career musician has a lot to prove. That goes double for an artist making the move from covers to originals. And as a couple best known for cute covers of Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown on YouTube, Karmin definitely had a lot to prove with their debut, Pulses. And they didn't.
Cher Lloyd - Sorry I'm Late
(FW: 17k; Total: 41k)
Why It Looks Bad: When her debut album hit the U.S., it just barely made the top 10 on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 9. This album peaked at No. 12, despite much better critical notices. It sold just 54 percent of her first record's debut week, and continues to underperform, having moved 41,000 copies so far this year, indicating American interest in her career just isn't there.
50 Cent - Animal Ambition
(FW: 47k; Total: 124k)
Why It Looks Bad: Despite plenty of publicity, 50 sold less than a third of the first-week sales for his previous studio effort.
Phillip Phillips - Behind The Lights
(FW: 42k; Total: 123k)
Why It Looks Bad: The American Idol champ's debut was buoyed by a hit single, "Home," something his second has yet to produce. And more than a regular artist, people expect a sophomore slump from an Idol champ -- so his low first-week tally wasn't a good look.
Lea Michele - Louder
(FW: 60k; Total: 102k)
Why It Looks Bad: Despite plenty of promotion, Michele's pop debut didn't come close to placing her in the same breath as pop stars like Miley Cyrus or Demi Lovato.
Jennifer Hudson - JHUD
(FW: 24k; Total: 61k)
Why It Looks Bad: Hudson's previous two albums peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. This peaked at No. 10, selling just 24k in its first week (compared to 165k in 2011). That's a bigger drop than can be attributed to an overall decrease in album sales, and not something an artist wants to see on their third album.
http://www.billboard.com/articles/ev...s-flopped-2014
Billboard is a mess for this
