BOSS DREAM KICKS
OFF AT THE SUMMIT

Bruce Springsteen's new Columbia album, Working on a Dream, is a lock for #1 next week. All that's left is the counting.

And while first-week sales, based on one-day reports from retailers digging their way out of snowstorms, hover in the 225-250k range, that total could be Rising based on the hype leading up to Sunday's Super Bowl performance. Obviously, the sales effect of the Boss' halftime apperance in Tampa will be reflected in the following week's total, but iTunes should give an instant picture in the aftermath of the game.

That, of course, will end Taylor Swift's impressive eight-week run at the top spot on the HITS Album chart.

Topping the rest of the chart newcomers will be Glasgow arch rockers Franz Ferdinand's third Epic album, Tonight, slated for between 35-40k, which given today's market, will place them in the Top 10.

Columbia's WWE: The Music, Vol. 9 is on target for 20-25k, the same range as Rhino's annual 2009 Grammy Nominees collection.

Island/IDJ's Hoobastank and Sony Music Nashville veteran Pat Green are both looking at debuts in the 15-18k area.

The market was up 9% vs. last week, down 12% vs. same week last year and still down 11% year to date. Let's hope Punxatawney Phil does not see his shadow. This is getting ugly.