For the first time since 2006, the week following Thanksgiving failed to produce a single album that sold more than 200,000 copies.
On this week’s Billboard 200, which ref lects the frame following turkey day weekend, Alicia Keys’Girl On Fire bows at No. 1, selling a so-so 159,000 copies, according to Nielsen Sound-Scan. It’s her fifth No. 1 album, but marks her lowest sales debut.
Girl On Fire is one of only three sets to shift in excess of 100,000 this week. Taylor Swift’Red moves another 137,000 (down 26%) at No. 2 while Rod Stewart’Merry Christmas, Baby shifts 117,000 (down less than 1%) at No. 3.
A year ago this week, Michael Bublé’Christmas spent its second week at No. 1 (293,000; up 29%) as the only title to sell more…