WEEK IN PREVIEW:
LINKIN AIN’T STINKIN

As Coalition forces prepare to enter Baghdad, and the grim reality of war continues to settle over the U.S. population amid the continuing loss of soldier and civilian lives, record retailers are taking comfort in one small positive development: There’s a new #1 record in town.

Indeed, alt-metal gods Linkin Park are watching their new release, Meteora (Warner Bros.) blow up (in a good way). As the tallying of retail reports continues, the album is on track to sell about 850k, making it an easy #1.

Also hitting the chart will be new high-end Las Vegas attraction Celine Dion, whose One Heart (Epic) appears likely to have sold 500k or better, good for #2, and Now 12 (Capitol), which is on track to sell in the mid-to-upper 200k range.

At Top 40 radio, look for close-out adds on Madonna’s "American Life" (Warner Bros.), Avril Lavigne’s "Losing Grip" (Arista) and Lillix’s "It’s About Time" (Maverick/Reprise), with a strong surge of adds for Audioslave "Like a Stone" (Epic/Interscope). Also, John Mayer’s "Why Georgia" (Aware/Columbia) and Bust Rhymes’ "I Know What You Want" (featuring Mariah Carey, J Records) should see substantial first-week action.

At Crossover, Monica’s "So Gone" (J Records) should lock up most-added honors, followed by Solange’s "Crush" (Columbia). Also look for clean-up on 50 Cent’s "21 Questions" (Shady/Aftermath/Interscope).

And at Post Modern, both Gob’s "Give Up the Grudge" (Arista) and Cave In’s "Anchor" (RCA) look on track to bring home the most adds.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled international conflict.