HOUSTON, THERE’S NO PROBLEM

Her Arista/RMG album, I Look to You, taking advantage of its Monday release date to be eligible for this year’s Grammys, will debut at #1, with a robust sales figure of 250-275k.

That’s based on two-day sales reports from those among our crack group of retail reporters who haven’t yet paved paradise and put up a parking lot. Her second day, Tuesday, which would have been the normal release date, proved every bit as busy as the first.

Miley Cyrus’ seven-song Wal-Mart exclusive, The Time of Our Lives, which leaked before street date to the tune of 60k+, debuting at #2 on this week’s chart and foreclosing an expected diva duel, will nevertheless remain the runner-up, with a total between 140-150k for the Hollywood Records release.

Atlantic R&B star and former Grammy nominee Trey Songz’ Ready is up next at between 100-115k.

Other expected chart debuts include Epic’s Chevelle (35-40k), Polo Grounds/J/RMG’s Pitbull (30-35k), Silver Arrow’s the Black Crowes (30-35k), Reprise’s The Used (25-30k) and Verve Forecast’s John Fogerty with his Blue Ridge Rangers album (12-15k).

The market was up 2% vs. last week, down 19% vs. same week last year and still down 15% year to date.

In other news, John Slattery’s black-faced rendition of “My Old Kentucky Home” as ad agency chief Roger Sterling from last week’s episode of Mad Men is not the #1 download on iTunes. But it should be.