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BuzzJack Music Forum _ UK Charts _ Phenomenon of washed-up Artist getting boost in Album Chart
Posted by: timjimlee 12th June 2016, 09:36 AM
With Rick Astley looking like he will return to the Album Top 10 this week it is clear there is a Phenomenon this year of washed-up Artists getting back to the Album chart peaks that they had in their heyday.
We understand the reasons - lower Album sales in the market overall, newer music-buyers don't buy Albums as much as Singles and older fans do still buy Albums ("the completists").
The evidence:
All Saints - "Red Flag" peaked at number 3 in April (previous Studio Album peaked at number 40)
ABC - "Lexicon Of Love II" peaked at number 5 (previous Studio Album remains uncharted)
Richard Ashcroft - "These People" peaked at number 3 (previous 20)
For some other Artists big in the 80's and 90's the decline has been halted, Duran Duran back up to 5 (from 11), The Cult back up to 19 (after peaking at 72 in 2007), Kula Shaker back up to 32 (from 117) etc.
So the questions on this thread are
1. Who do you think will be able to take advantage of this Phenomenon?
2. Who do you want to comeback from the depths of the outer reaches of the Top 100?
Based on the Release Schedule for August (ie nothing much at all) surely some Artists can really take advantage of this Phenomenon?
Posted by: SKOB 12th June 2016, 10:08 AM
Your examples here are pretty bad, sorry.
All Saints have some fanbase left and their album dropped like a stone
ABC have a sequel to their best selling album and a classic -> people are interested
Richard Ashcroft is a britpop icon from the 90s who sold platinum last decade
Rick Astley hadn't released an album in 11 years and last one (a Q4 release) sold more in its first week than this one will even though this one will start higher
Wonder what you will think when Stone Roses top the chart 
But mostly it's a case of low sales obviously (which is mostly down to the album streaming ratio being different to singles ratio. There's lots of music consumption that doesn't properly show on the album chart. The current system basically excludes people like me who don't listen to whole album on Spotify, only 5-6 songs)
Posted by: Jake. 12th June 2016, 10:17 AM
They had an album in 2012, 'Choice of Weapon', which reached #20. Not sure how you overlooked that one, but the 2007 album you refer to received some very poor reviews which may have been a contributing factor to why that album failed commercially.
Posted by: timjimlee 12th June 2016, 10:26 AM
Thanks for your feedback but you are missing the point of the thread - these are all examples of Artists that have improved Chart position back to their heyday. We don't care how they have done it but the fact is there has been a significant improvement for all of these Artists.
Posted by: SKOB 12th June 2016, 10:45 AM
Yea but again, that's more due to low sales, not really to the fact that they are hugely popular. Even though some might be more popular now than they were in the 90s or 00s. (ABC and Rick Astley perhaps)
PJ Harvey getting her first #1 with her lowest selling album is the highlight of this imo
Posted by: timjimlee 12th June 2016, 10:57 AM
PJ Harvey getting her first #1 with her lowest selling album is the highlight of this imo
Good to see you are getting there ( the original post mentions the lower Sales in the Album market as one of the reasons for these improvements in Chart positions).
PJ Harvey is indeed an example of an improvement in a Chart position because of the current chart climate ( even though previous Album was a bigger success in terms of Sales & critical reaction).
Posted by: JCM20 12th June 2016, 01:39 PM
Busted I hope 
Posted by: ___∆___ 12th June 2016, 03:20 PM
It's not a phenomenon - It's just a tragic sales market that is allowing these boosts. All Saints sold less to enter at #3 than they did to reach #40 with their last album and had a 3 week Top 75 chart run. We've seen this happening for years now as the market has declined - Acts releasing 'fan funded' albums and achieving a 12-84 chart run and 7k sales. If the market recovered these would all disappear without a trace.
These acts haven't gained in popularity but been lucky to chart highly due to multiple format releases and 5k being enough to go Top 10. A real measure of their return to glory would be a sales chart hit to back up the albums 'success' but acts mentioned above have not troubled the Top 100.
Posted by: Mdh 12th June 2016, 03:23 PM
Who the hell is PJ Harvey, is the real question 
I genuinely have never heard her and was so confused when she got to number one.
Posted by: Ethan 12th June 2016, 03:34 PM
this thread gives me slithery vibez ~ are 'timjimlee' and 'thesnake' the same person? 
the extremely low sales environment means relatively small fan-bases can get their chosen artist(s) into the upper reaches, if only for a week! 
Posted by: timjimlee 12th June 2016, 03:50 PM
I genuinely have never heard her and was so confused when she got to number one.She has been a critically rated artist since 1992 with a Mercury prize from an Album released in 2011 ( Album selling 130k+ ), regularly appears in the Critics year end charts so surprised you are not aware.
Posted by: 360Jupiter 12th June 2016, 04:05 PM
Lack of competition seems to be what's doing it. Plus acts with an older fanbase, that fanbase are more likely to default to actually buying the new album (especially in the first week) in general; younger fans are more likely to not care about buying it so much or not have the money to spend to do so.
When you can consume an album essentially for free and its always been that way since you started listening to music, the arguments of why you should buy an album are less compelling. I know I myself would only buy an album as an act of charity/goodwill towards the artist, rather than as my default way of consuming music.
Posted by: timjimlee 12th June 2016, 04:23 PM
These acts haven't gained in popularity but been lucky to chart highly due to multiple format releases and 5k being enough to go Top 10. A real measure of their return to glory would be a sales chart hit to back up the albums 'success' but acts mentioned above have not troubled the Top 100.
Agree with your analysis apart from my belief it is a Phenomenon (definition: an occurrence, an event, a happening).
Look at Rick Astley, he had an Album ready to go in 2013 ("My Red Book") but was quietly shelved. However, given the current low sales climate Record company takes view they can take some of the tracks from shelved Album and a few new tracks.
After an appearance on "Lorraine" (or such like) they have a Top 10 Album with chances of further promotion.
It does all stem from low Sales market but it does give these older Artists a chance to improve their Chart position back to their glory days.
Posted by: Bjork 12th June 2016, 04:30 PM
man, you should hide the fact that you don't know who PJ Harvey is, instead of bragging about it like if it's a good thing, you're just showing ignorance rather than being funny 
Posted by: JosephOdell 12th June 2016, 04:31 PM
It's not a crime to not know who she is
I've never actually heard any of her songs, couldn't name one.
Posted by: timjimlee 12th June 2016, 04:43 PM
I've never actually heard any of her songs, couldn't name one.Seems quite ironic at this point she had a song in 2004 called "Who The F***".
17 Top 75 singles in the UK does imply she should be more widely known.
Posted by: jaynesangel 12th June 2016, 05:02 PM
Falling sales has contributed but good airplay helps. For example, Rick Astley's 'Keep Singing' (track 1 on his album) was playlisted on Radio 2 (I believe A-Listed). If Radio 2 is the most listened to music station it follows that an A-listing will help sales and chart position of the album. The single reached number 40 on the sales only chart- streaming seems to hinder 'heritage' acts. It was the same for the All Saints in regards to their singles ... playlisted on Radio 2 and an appearance on Chris Evans's Breakfast Show (the most listened to breakfast show in the UK).
As for who I would love to see back in the album charts ... Shakin' Stevens, please.
Posted by: timjimlee 12th June 2016, 05:10 PM
As for who I would love to see back in the album charts ... Shakin' Stevens, please.
Good post - until the last bit
Never been a big Shaky fan but maybe time is ready for an Album called "This Ole Shaky"
Posted by: jaynesangel 12th June 2016, 05:21 PM
Ah, I was huge a Shaky fan in the '80s .... bought a lot of singles of his. Though I was only a child then! I did buy his 2005 double A-side on CD as well (it was due to a reality TV show he was on and won). 'This ole Shaky' is a perfect album title for him 
Posted by: timjimlee 12th June 2016, 05:38 PM
Personally I would like to see one of the Synthpop acts from the 80's get this type of boost,
The Human League (last couple of Albums at 44), Heaven 17 (uncharted for a while now), OMD or (ahem) A Flock Of Seagulls (another series of Bands Reunited may be required).
Posted by: T Boy 12th June 2016, 06:13 PM
Jessie J didn't know who PJ Harvey was in 2011 so you're in good comp-, oh wait, no you're not.
Posted by: JCM20 12th June 2016, 06:59 PM
Busted, I hope
Posted by: JosephOdell 12th June 2016, 07:00 PM
So you said
Posted by: timjimlee 12th June 2016, 07:05 PM
Their last studio Album got to number 2, would certainly be impressive if they improved on that.
Posted by: JCM20 12th June 2016, 07:15 PM
Oh, right, I thought this just meant returning to the charts at all. Neither album has charted for over a decade. But TBH given low album sales are these days they could pull it off
Posted by: diamondtooth 12th June 2016, 09:16 PM
I hope Eternal come back with another album. There last studio album, which was as a duo, got to No.87. All there previous albums were at least top 10 and double platinum (I think!).
Not sure if it is likely though!
Posted by: timjimlee 12th June 2016, 09:21 PM
Not sure if it is likely though!
Hope springs Eternal.
Posted by: iain 12th June 2016, 09:31 PM
I'd hardly call PJ Harvey washed up.
Posted by: timjimlee 12th June 2016, 09:33 PM
Not sure if it is likely though!
Actually remember Eternal on "The Big Reunion" on ITV2 in 2014 (the programme that spawned The Steps reunion on an earlier series) and there were 2 factions in the group and also Louise expressing no desire to re-join.
Posted by: Common Sense 12th June 2016, 10:29 PM
I've never actually heard any of her songs, couldn't name one.Me neither but have still heard of her!
Posted by: The Hit Parade 12th June 2016, 10:40 PM
The Richard Ashcroft example still doesn't work because all the albums with his surname on the cover have charted similarly. At least part of the reason the RPA & United Nations Of Sound album flopped was because people didn't know who it was.
Posted by: timjimlee 12th June 2016, 10:55 PM
Yes, I would have to agree, there was a lot of confusion about that campaign.
Posted by: timjimlee 12th June 2016, 10:59 PM
If nothing else this thread has been a bit of a revelation that an Eight time BRIT Award nominee and Six time Grammy nominee is unknown to some of our main contributors.
Posted by: Jake. 12th June 2016, 11:13 PM
While his recent album hasn't exactly had that many good reviews, the United Nations of Sound album was massively panned by most critics at the time which could've been why it didn't reach the same levels of sales as his previous 3 albums.
Posted by: ___∆___ 12th June 2016, 11:14 PM
Not sure if it is likely though!
After their 2014 reunion I doubt this would ever happen - Louise refused to rejoin and Kelle left shortly after the Big Reunion saying she would never perform with the band again. I'm surprised they didn't try and milk a Greatest Hits and mini tour off the back of Big Reunion though, They all really must hate each other!
Posted by: JosephOdell 13th June 2016, 06:45 AM
Yeah same, but it's still not that unlikely for someone to not have heard of her
Posted by: SKOB 13th June 2016, 04:27 PM
She's not but the same (low sales in general -> high chart position for a week) applies to her too.
Posted by: Suedehead2 13th June 2016, 09:25 PM
The Human League (last couple of Albums at 44), Heaven 17 (uncharted for a while now), OMD or (ahem) A Flock Of Seagulls (another series of Bands Reunited may be required).
A new OMD album is due at some point, but not necessarily this year.
Having first seen PJ Harvey live in 1992, most of this discussion is making me feel very old
Posted by: timjimlee 14th June 2016, 08:59 AM
Having first seen PJ Harvey live in 1992, most of this discussion is making me feel very old
Yes, I know what you mean - I saw OMD in 1989 and even then they were past their peak
Last Album got to number 12 but with the new low-Sales climate and the fact they have been playing concerts as high profile as the Royal Albert Hall I would hope they would get back into Top 10.
Posted by: richie 14th June 2016, 11:32 AM
I genuinely have never heard her and was so confused when she got to number one.
Posted by: richie 14th June 2016, 11:37 AM
It's not really a phenomenon, it's purely to do with media coverage. PRs like nothing better than a "comeback" and lazy journalists and content editors love something simple that people already know about.
This is why the moment a pop act splits they start making plans to reform.
Posted by: ThePensmith 14th June 2016, 06:38 PM
I don't necessarily think it's fair to lump everybody in the same boat as 'washed up', mind - Paul Simon got another number 1 album last week and he's far from washed up to my mind. I actually find the album charts much more interesting to watch than the singles chart these days. There's so much more movement and activity going on and if the artist happens to be someone who was quite successful in the past, all the better. It shows that there is still an audience for acts like the ones mentioned above, and of course people will moan about how it's happening because of low sales but more power to it I say. Variety in all areas is a good thing.
Posted by: Suedehead2 14th June 2016, 07:21 PM
Last Album got to number 12 but with the new low-Sales climate and the fact they have been playing concerts as high profile as the Royal Albert Hall I would hope they would get back into Top 10.
I first saw OMD some time in the early 1980s
Sadly, I've not been able to see them since they re-formed
Posted by: timjimlee 14th June 2016, 07:37 PM
Yes would agree, the thread should really be for Artists past their creative peak rather than 'washed up' which was a definitely little unfair to some of the examples given.
I also find the Album chart more interesting and it's good to see some of the old classics in the lower reaches even though it is a shame there are not many new Artists breaking through (as Album artists).
Posted by: timjimlee 17th June 2016, 06:35 PM
Final comment on this thread from me, congrats to Rick Astley on pulling off the number 1 this week.
Not many people saw it happening a few weeks ago and I think there will be several Artists from that era looking at the success he has achieved this week and planning their own comeback in a similar way.
I'm thinking the likes of Howard Jones, Nik Kershaw, Holly Johnson, Midge Ure, Andy Bell and Heaven 17 (in fact most of the Artists on the recent Fly soundtrack compiled by Gary Barlow).
All will not be able to get back to the dizzying heights of number 1 and will probably disappear as quickly as they resurfaced but there is no doubt the increased Publicity can only be good for the Artists. Ok some people may not like the Phenomenon term but there is no doubt there is a trend of improved chart positions.
Btw on the subject of Gary Barlow he hinted very strongly earlier today that Rick was number 1 by tweeting "So pleased to see @rickastley back in the charts #topman", I guess he had insider knowledge.
Posted by: Suedehead2 18th June 2016, 08:38 AM
Not many people saw it happening a few weeks ago and I think there will be several Artists from that era looking at the success he has achieved this week and planning their own comeback in a similar way.
I'm thinking the likes of Howard Jones, Nik Kershaw, Holly Johnson, Midge Ure, Andy Bell and Heaven 17 (in fact most of the Artists on the recent Fly soundtrack compiled by Gary Barlow).
All will not be able to get back to the dizzying heights of number 1 and will probably disappear as quickly as they resurfaced but there is no doubt the increased Publicity can only be good for the Artists. Ok some people may not like the Phenomenon term but there is no doubt there is a trend of improved chart positions.
Btw on the subject of Gary Barlow he hinted very strongly earlier today that Rick was number 1 by tweeting "So pleased to see @rickastley back in the charts #topman", I guess he had insider knowledge.
Perhaps Gary Barlow was having a sly dig at Tom Odell. He told his audience at Glastonbury two years ago that his album was number one before the chart had been published
Posted by: ThePensmith 18th June 2016, 06:29 PM
It has really warmed my heart to see Rick Astley get number one in the album charts this week. I always thought he was a nice guy anyway - and "Never Gonna Give You Up" is one of my all time favourite 80s hits - and to see him still having success 30 years on from his debut is proof that you can have all the "cool" exposure in the world but good music will always prevail. I'm here for Gabrielle suddenly announcing a new album and getting an unexpected number one now
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