|
Post by kidrockthemic on Mar 5, 2014 14:40:10 GMT -5
Wow... I was expecting no less than 150k
|
|
dbhmr
Diamond Member
>
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 23,310
|
Post by dbhmr on Mar 5, 2014 14:40:14 GMT -5
Only predicted to sell 85-95k this week. Even the man with the #1 song in the country can't break 100k with an R&B album. :( I thought his epitome-of-cool persona would be enough to sell more, but I had no idea what to expect with this project. These numbers don't surprise me, but 280k wouldn't have surprised me either. To a lot of today's crowd, he's played wing man on two huge hits, and had only one solo hit. Even those that are aware of all his influence and success as a producer may not necessarily think that translates into a solid solo album (and, based on one spin through it, I agree--I thought it was surprisingly dull overall).
|
|
Agent Yoncé
Diamond Member
Joined: November 2010
Posts: 24,872
|
Post by Agent Yoncé on Mar 5, 2014 16:27:17 GMT -5
I guess 150k+ does look better on paper, but let's get serious, despite the incredible year he had, the current global smash he has, the recognition he obtained, he was never a huge seller, a force to be reckon w/as an artist & is still fairly a new artist to this current generation & the world we live in. If we're talking him as a producer, that's a different story. This is his second solo album, first in almost 8yrs. Hopefully he can at least crack 100k & will have the legs to go gold if his next single can help do so.
|
|
SHOOTER
Diamond Member
3x Poster Of The Year!!!
Typical of those in power to stay worried about the *wrong* shit.
Joined: April 2006
Posts: 75,056
|
Post by SHOOTER on Mar 5, 2014 17:17:14 GMT -5
I guess all the hype surrounding Happy didn't translate into hype for the album.
In My Mind debuted at #3 with 142k (406k domestic; 889k worldwide to date).
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2014 17:42:14 GMT -5
Well, it's interesting b/c it's not like Robin Thicke had any real clout with the general public going into his 177k opening. I think many people felt that "Happy"'s current trajectory is very similar to that of "Blurred Lines," plus Robin is considered r&b and Pharrell is considered r&b (or hip-hop, depending on what he's doing); so it wasn't unreasonable to think Pharrell's start would be just as strong.
That said, it's not a perfect apples-to-apples comparison. Pharrell is not in any circulars and other than the Oscars is also not doing any US promo this week, I presume (BMAC pointed out in the Hits thread that Pharrell is promoting in Europe right now). So he/the label put his album at a disadvantage, at least here in the US. ------ I like the album quite a bit, myself. My most favorites are Gust of Wind, Marilyn Monroe, Know Who You Are, and Brand New. "Come Get It Bae" is nice but sounds like it belongs on Bangerz more than on G I R L. Hunter has a high burn rate so I skip it most of the time, and something about "It Girl" never grabbed me.
|
|
#LisaRinna
Diamond Member
#LiteralLegender
Joined: August 2008
Posts: 42,164
|
Post by #LisaRinna on Mar 5, 2014 17:49:43 GMT -5
Well, it's interesting b/c it's not like Robin Thicke had any real clout with the general public going into his 177k opening. I think many people felt that "Happy"'s current trajectory is very similar to that of "Blurred Lines," plus Robin is considered r&b and Pharrell is considered r&b (or hip-hop, depending on what he's doing); so it wasn't unreasonable to think Pharrell's start would be just as strong. Robin has an established R&B fanbase though. Pharrell is seen more as a producer than an artist by the public. The difference between them lies there.
|
|
Nick
8x Platinum Member
Joined: August 2004
Posts: 8,679
|
Post by Nick on Mar 5, 2014 18:12:09 GMT -5
Was hoping he'd have the #1 album and single next week.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2014 18:44:33 GMT -5
Well, it's interesting b/c it's not like Robin Thicke had any real clout with the general public going into his 177k opening. I think many people felt that "Happy"'s current trajectory is very similar to that of "Blurred Lines," plus Robin is considered r&b and Pharrell is considered r&b (or hip-hop, depending on what he's doing); so it wasn't unreasonable to think Pharrell's start would be just as strong. Robin has an established R&B fanbase though. Pharrell is seen more as a producer than an artist by the public. The difference between them lies there. Agreed that he's seen more as a producer so he probably just doesn't have the following that a 'normal' artist tends to build up over time, I just think people a) didn't really factor that into what they thought he'd sell or b) did consider that, but felt that the fans he did have + having a huge multi-format hit and coming off BL and GL would get him bigger numbers. Like, with Robin, there's no denying that his 177k is owed at least in part to the exposure to pop fans. Of course, like I said in the Hits thread, 85-95 is hardly 'disappointing', as a few felt it was. There just seem to be so many random variables that factor into whether a hit will translate to album sales that it's very hard to make an accurate guess (pretty sure I severely lowballed my guess for Robin when his album dropped lol). Won't stop anyone from trying though, self included
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2014 18:51:20 GMT -5
I would say his sales are pretty disappointing. 2013 was Pharrell's year and he has a huge hit in 2014 and lots of good buzz. I feel like this will probably be a consistent, slow burn album because of the rush release. I'd be really surprised if this doesn't go Gold but it's still pretty surprising that he started so low when people were predicting 200k.
|
|
allow that
Diamond Member
Fall into the atlas
Joined: November 2005
Posts: 14,788
|
Post by allow that on Mar 5, 2014 18:52:43 GMT -5
Well, it's interesting b/c it's not like Robin Thicke had any real clout with the general public going into his 177k opening. I think many people felt that "Happy"'s current trajectory is very similar to that of "Blurred Lines," plus Robin is considered r&b and Pharrell is considered r&b (or hip-hop, depending on what he's doing); so it wasn't unreasonable to think Pharrell's start would be just as strong. Robin has an established R&B fanbase though. Pharrell is seen more as a producer than an artist by the public. The difference between them lies there. This is my first thought as well. Still, I figured that with an Oscars performance coinciding with his album release, Pharrell could at least cross 150k with ease. Let's remember that when Robin's album debuted many were disappointed with his opening sales as well, given the monstrosity of "Blurred Lines" at the time.
|
|
|
Post by Live Your Life on Mar 5, 2014 18:58:15 GMT -5
I think the numbers are bad. I, too, was thinking around 150-175k. There's no way the people at Columbia were aiming for an 85k opening.
|
|
#LisaRinna
Diamond Member
#LiteralLegender
Joined: August 2008
Posts: 42,164
|
Post by #LisaRinna on Mar 5, 2014 19:47:47 GMT -5
Robin has an established R&B fanbase though. Pharrell is seen more as a producer than an artist by the public. The difference between them lies there. This is my first thought as well. Still, I figured that with an Oscars performance coinciding with his album release, Pharrell could at least cross 150k with ease. Let's remember that when Robin's album debuted many were disappointed with his opening sales as well, given the monstrosity of "Blurred Lines" at the time. I agree, I thought he'd sell over 100k easily too. If only for the ubiquity of 'Happy' and the well-placed release right after the Oscars.
|
|
Wave.
Moderator
Look...
Positive Vibes🙏🏾❤
Joined: August 2006
Posts: 42,805
Pronouns: He/Him
Staff
|
Post by Wave. on Mar 5, 2014 23:50:46 GMT -5
They should've kept it set for April. No need to rush release. BL wasn't rushed. Bad part on Columbia.
|
|
harry
New Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 82
|
Post by harry on Mar 6, 2014 9:59:24 GMT -5
Happy's been peaking internationally for a while now though so if they'd delayed it any more they'd risk losing out in those markets. It's really only the US who's been slow on picking up Happy.
I think this will be a slow burner though. The album's got some solid single choices in it.
|
|
|
Post by Live Your Life on Mar 6, 2014 12:30:25 GMT -5
|
|
Agent Yoncé
Diamond Member
Joined: November 2010
Posts: 24,872
|
Post by Agent Yoncé on Mar 6, 2014 12:54:21 GMT -5
Damn. I sometimes forget the songs he put his magic on.
|
|
Wave.
Moderator
Look...
Positive Vibes🙏🏾❤
Joined: August 2006
Posts: 42,805
Pronouns: He/Him
Staff
|
Post by Wave. on Mar 6, 2014 12:59:30 GMT -5
I forgot Pharrell produced "Wait A Minute". That was a banger. Glad "So Ambitious" was recognized.
|
|
Linnethia Monique
Diamond Member
Still 100% Snackable
🗣 NOW GET YOUR BOOTS AND YOUR COAT FOR THIS...
Joined: December 2004
Posts: 24,208
|
Post by Linnethia Monique on Mar 6, 2014 13:04:15 GMT -5
I forgot Pharrell produced "Wait A Minute". That was a banger. Glad "So Ambitious" was recognized. And the 2nd single Formal Invite which was my favorite out of the 3 The Neptunes productions for his album.
|
|
SHOOTER
Diamond Member
3x Poster Of The Year!!!
Typical of those in power to stay worried about the *wrong* shit.
Joined: April 2006
Posts: 75,056
|
Post by SHOOTER on Mar 6, 2014 15:13:56 GMT -5
How dare he forget 702 - I Still Love You. I recall him saying before that's the one song he was most disappointed about it not becoming a hit.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2014 17:03:59 GMT -5
|
|
horchata
6x Platinum Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 6,241
|
Post by horchata on Mar 9, 2014 17:54:35 GMT -5
The bridge on "Come Get It Bae" is amazing, but it totally sounds like a song that would be tailor made for Kelis to be on as a feature instead. This is a pretty solid album for the most part, but I still don't enjoy "Happy" all that much and could live without "Lost Queen". ("Freq" is great though)
"Gust of Wind" is that track though, best song of the album for me.
|
|
|
Post by Live Your Life on Mar 10, 2014 12:32:56 GMT -5
|
|
SHOOTER
Diamond Member
3x Poster Of The Year!!!
Typical of those in power to stay worried about the *wrong* shit.
Joined: April 2006
Posts: 75,056
|
Post by SHOOTER on Mar 10, 2014 12:42:55 GMT -5
Well at least he'll crack six digits first week out. #thereshope
|
|
Wave.
Moderator
Look...
Positive Vibes🙏🏾❤
Joined: August 2006
Posts: 42,805
Pronouns: He/Him
Staff
|
Post by Wave. on Mar 10, 2014 13:47:15 GMT -5
Yes. I'm glad people got wind of the album being released.
|
|
Hurricane Lee
Moderator
Chairman of The Tortured Poets Department
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 36,069
Pronouns: He/Him
Staff
|
Post by Hurricane Lee on Mar 11, 2014 4:36:45 GMT -5
I am really annoyed that this didn't come with a digital download when I ordered it from Amazon. I have to wait til I get home to hear it. Whoa. Despite it not being an "AutoRip" album, I checked Amazon Cloud Player today because I ordered the new Elbow album and saw this sitting there. #BOOM. OK, so the album is serviceable. I definitely enjoy it as a cohesive album. It works much better than way than as a collection of singles. That said, there are obvious standouts, for me: 1. Lost Queen 2. Come Get It Bae 3. Marilyn Monroe 4. Gust Of Wind 5. Happy (grew on me...then again, hearing in the context of the album is the first time I have heard the song in full) 6. It Girl Freq is just OK. A waste of JoJo, if you ask me. She should have been either more heavily featured, or put somewhere else altogether. That said, I am excited about potential collabs between them on her album. Lost Queen is far and away my favorite song on the album. I love the Beyonce cadence and it also sounds like a Swizz production, much more so than Pharrell. As for It Girl's sample, it sounds VERY reminiscent of Heartbeat by Taana Gardner...disco-era classic. It's probably another Blurred Lines scenario, where he clearly nicked the loping drum beat, but it's not technically a sample. Is that the new thing now? Stealing but not stealing?? ??? Album is a solid B+ MUCH better than In My Mind.
|
|
Agent Yoncé
Diamond Member
Joined: November 2010
Posts: 24,872
|
Post by Agent Yoncé on Mar 11, 2014 13:31:32 GMT -5
As for It Girl's sample, it sounds VERY reminiscent of Heartbeat by Taana Gardner...disco-era classic. It's probably another Blurred Lines scenario, where he clearly nicked the loping drum beat, but it's not technically a sample. Is that the new thing now? Stealing but not stealing?? ??? There it goes! I couldn't put my finger on it, but you nailed it. Yus for him putting his Bey credits on the song doe. Lol
|
|
SHOOTER
Diamond Member
3x Poster Of The Year!!!
Typical of those in power to stay worried about the *wrong* shit.
Joined: April 2006
Posts: 75,056
|
Post by SHOOTER on Mar 11, 2014 19:03:36 GMT -5
#2 with 110k per HITS.
|
|
Linnethia Monique
Diamond Member
Still 100% Snackable
🗣 NOW GET YOUR BOOTS AND YOUR COAT FOR THIS...
Joined: December 2004
Posts: 24,208
|
Post by Linnethia Monique on Mar 11, 2014 23:18:23 GMT -5
More music coming next month when they release the Amazing Spider-Man 2 Soundtrack. Both produced and solo material.
|
|
Hurricane Lee
Moderator
Chairman of The Tortured Poets Department
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 36,069
Pronouns: He/Him
Staff
|
Post by Hurricane Lee on Mar 12, 2014 2:51:13 GMT -5
Glad he was able to clear 100k and get #2. That's more like it.
|
|
Hussy
6x Platinum Member
Banned
Joined: March 2011
Posts: 6,327
|
Post by Hussy on Mar 12, 2014 22:14:54 GMT -5
awful debut compared to how HUGE Happy is now not to mention the Oscar performance !
|
|