AVRIL, TRENT DOMINATE THE CHARTS

Avril Lavigne’s third Arista/RMG album is offering some relief to beleaguered retailers on the eve of NARM, as a robust weekend guarantees a #1 bow, with a total that could surpass 275k, thanks to the hit single, “Girlfriend.”

Trent Reznor’s dystopic sci-fi cyberpunk saga, Year Zero, is on track to debut at #2 with a total that is just this side of 200k, bolstered by an Internet marketing campaign which included a scavenger hunt with clues to advance the complex narrative placed all over the web.

Lyric Street’s Idol also-ran Bucky Covington will enter the charts with a total of around 60k for his debut effort, good for a Top 5 bow just behind last week’s #1, EMI’s Now 24, which should do in the 75k range.

The rest of the Top 10 will feature Curb’s Tim McGraw (55-60k), RCA’s Daughtry (50-55k), SRC/Universal Motown’s Akon (50-55k), Hollywood’s Hilary Duff (40-45k) and Interscope’s Timbaland (35-40k).

As always, keep an eye on HITS' Building Album Chart today and tomorrow to be first at your water cooler with the final results by clicking here.

Tomorrow, Domino’s critical darlings Arctic Monkeys, with their sophomore effort Favourite Worst Nightmare, and Jive’s Joe lead the group of albums hitting retail shelves.