(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — UK record industry trade association the BPI says that the British share of UK album sales in 2005 was at its highest since 1998.
The figures show that in 2005:
- Nearly half of CD albums sold in the UK were by British acts;
- The record industry sold more UK albums than ever before;BR>
- Six UK albums topped 1 million sales to break the top 10; and
- 90 UK albums sold more than 100,000 copies.
UK acts claimed 49.4% of all artist (non-compilation) album sales in the UK in 2005, an increase of 7% on 2004. At 62.4 million, this represents the greatest number of albums ever sold by UK musicians in a single year. From a peak of 51% in 1998, the British share of UK album sales declined to a low of 42.3% in 2003. But a resurgence in British music, the return of the singer-songwriter and a new wave of guitar bands propelled the British share to 49.4% in 2005.
Six of the year's Top 10 albums were by UK acts, double the number in 2004, and there were 14 UK debut acts in the top 100 – including albums from Kaiser Chiefs, The Magic Numbers, Bloc Party and G4.
"We are privileged to be living through an exciting time for UK music," said BPI Chairman Peter Jamieson. "From Kaiser Chiefs to KT Tunstall, from Gorillaz to James Blunt, British music is succeeding across the board and UK music fans are responding in their droves. It all means that tomorrow's BRIT Awards show is shaping up to be one of the best yet."
The Top Ten UK Albums, 2005 are:
1 Back To Bedlam, James Blunt (Atlantic)
2 X & Y, Coldplay (Parlophone)
3 Intensive Care, Robbie Williams (Chrysalis)
4 Employment, Kaiser Chiefs (B Unique/Polydor)
5 Demon Days, Gorillaz (Parlophone)
6 Eye To The Telescope, KT Tunstall (Relentless/Virgin)
7 Forever Faithless – The Greatest Hits, Faithless (Cheeky/BMG)
8 Don't Believe The Truth, Oasis (Big Brother)
9 Hopes & Fears, Keane (Island)
10 Never Forget – The Ultimate Collection, Take That (RCA) — Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
