BOSS ENTERS THE FRAY FOR #1

Who it will be is another question.

Based on one-day sales reports from retailers not in a depression-induced coma, this week’s chart-topper, Bruce Springsteen’s Columbia album Working on a Dream and the debut of The Fray’s self-titled Epic sophomore effort will vie to lead the pack when all the tallies are in.

Both are in the 125-150k range, the normal fall-off on the Boss offset by Super Bowl-induced sales, which count for next Tuesday’s standings.

Capitol Nashville country rocker Dierks Bentley could well finish #3 with his latest, Feel That Fire, now on pace to sell between 65-70k.

Virgin’s Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is eyeing 30-35k for their sophomore album, Lonely Road, which could put it in the Top 10, while Victory’s Ocala, FL, pop-hardcore outfit A Day to Remember, Homesick, is showing some nice strength in the marketplace, with a total between 15-18k.

The market was down 3% vs. last week, down 14% vs. the same week last year and now down 12% year to date.

And you thought Barack Obama would turn things around.