Bruno Mars' New Album Aiming for Top Five Debut on Billboard 200

The Associated Press, Wednesday, December 12, 2012, 5:31pm (PST)

Billboard -- Fresh off earning his fourth No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, Bruno Mars now has his sights set on the top of the Billboard 200 albums chart.

"Locked Out of Heaven," the lead single from Mars' "Unorthodox Jukebox," reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 earlier today (Dec. 12). Meanwhile, industry sources suggest the album is on course to sell perhaps 140,000 to 150,000 copies by the end of the tracking week on Sunday, Dec. 16.

The new Billboard 200 chart's top 10 will be revealed on the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 19.

Mars' figure likely won't be enough to claim the No. 1 slot on the Billboard 200, however. At the present, it seems like Taylor Swift 's "Red" will hang out for a fifth week in the penthouse. apcm:Sources don't have a firm prediction on what "Red" will sell just yet, but they seem confident it will beat Mars' latest.

"Red" sold 167,000 this past week, according to Nielsen SoundScan, easily enabling its return to No. 1 on the chart.

Mars' debut studio album, "Doo Wops & Hooligans," debuted at No. 3 on the chart dated Oct. 23, 2010, selling 55,000 in its first week. It has sold a total of 1.8 million in the U.S. and launched three top five Hot 100 singles ("Just the Way You Are," "Grenade" and "The Lazy Song").

Mars album was one of a handful of new albums that arrived to retail this week. Among the others looking for notable debuts on the Billboard 200 next week: Game's "Jesus Piece" and the soundtrack to the TV series "Nashville." Both are looking to start in the top 20.

Also on track to score a high bow is the late Jenni Rivera's new compilation "La Misma Gran Senora." The 13-song album (announced in October) contains eight top 25 hits on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, including its previously unreleased title track. The latter is currently No. 15 on the Regional Mexican Airplay tally.

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Find more online: Billboard.com