The Top 20 Biggest Selling Debut Albums Of 2011

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Bird's 'Noel Gallagher's High Flying Bird's' has been named as the third biggest selling debut album of 2011, according to the Official Charts Company.

Beady Eye's 'Different Gear, Still Speeding' has been named as the sixth biggest selling debut album of 2011.

The Official Charts Company also revealed that eight of the Top 10 biggest selling debut albums of the year were made by British artists. The two exceptions were 'Killer Love', the first album from former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, and Jay-Z and Kanye West's collaborative LP 'Watch The Throne'.

The Top 20 biggest selling debut albums of 2011 are:

01 Jessie J – 'Who You Are'
02. Ed Sheeran – '+'
03. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds – 'Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds'
04. The Vaccines – 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?'
05. Katy B – 'On A Mission'
06. Beady Eye – 'Different Gear, Still Speeding'
07. Nicole Scherzinger – 'Killer Love'
08. Hugh Laurie – 'Let Them Talk'
09. Matt Cardle – 'Letters'
10. Watch The Throne – 'Watch The Throne'
11. Bad Meets Evil – 'Hell: The Sequel'
12. Nero – 'Welcome Reality'
13. Christina Perri – 'Lovestrong'
14. Cher Lloyd – 'Sticks + Stones'
15. Wretch 32 – 'Black And White'
16. Miles Kane – 'Colour Of The Trap'
17. Foster The People – 'Torches'
18. Clare Maguire – 'Light After Dark'
19. Mary Byrne – 'Mine & Yours'
20. Alexis Jordan – 'Alexis Jordan'

Noel Gallagher Tales From The Middle Of Nowhere (Vol.2) Part Two

Yes comrades.

How art thou? So... we fuckin' smashed it, eh?

It was a nice surprise, the HFB album going in at #1. Thanks for that. A proud moment. Commiserations to young Mr. Cardle, whom I met the other night. Nice lad. Lovely hat AND scarf!!

The big story of the last few days was, of course, the righteous Man City's total and utter humiliation of The Evil Empire. A result so shocking my 4 year old, who knows nothing about anything that isn't a dinosaur, said, "That's really bad, isn't it dad?" To which I laughed into his face and raised him aloft like a human world cup until he requested that I put him down. A result so awe-inspiring that it rendered the 1st NGHFB gig almost irrelevant.

Was it any good? Don't ask me. I felt like it flew by in about 30 mins! I enjoyed it, mind. It did leave me with a bit of food for thought regarding the set list. All good though.

Legged it straight off stage to the airport where my private jet THE G-FIRM was fired up and ready to fly home to London. Had to be on top form at them Q awards. Got myself a nice little Q ICON award and more importantly, and somewhat surprisingly, a blimmin' standing ovation!!!! I liked it a lot!!!! More of those, please.

Spent the rest of the day drinking and smoking my arse off. Which meant yesterday was spent on the couch watching the repeats of the total and utter humiliation of Man United (which was where aforementioned child-lifting took place).

I am currently on a high-speed train up north heading to the great city of Manchester. Playing the Apollo tonight. Coming on to 'Blue Moon'. Should be interesting!!!

IN A BIT!

GD

Source: www.noelgallagher.com

Keep up to date with Noel's award-winning tour diary by signing up to Noel's Official Website's Inbox HERE!

Noel Gallagher On Beating Matt Cardle To Number One

Noel Gallagher's latest album release, 'High Flying Birds' sold more than 120,000 copies in its first week securing the record a slot at the top of the album chart.
And with it, Noel pushed last year's 'X Factor' winner Matt Cardle and his debut album, 'Letters' into second position. *EEK*

At the Q Awards earlier today the former Oasis star told us: "When we found out that Matt Cardle's album was out the same day as mine there was a collective sigh. It's the 'X Factor' and there are a lot of crazy school girls who like to buy a lot of records for some reason.'

But what omg! really wanted to know was how it felt to beat off the competition from such a high profile artist:

"It didn't make me feel any greater or more special than I did before I was told it was number one. I like the record, other people liked the record and that was that."

We think Noel is being far too modest about his achievements, although he appeared pretty humble after receiving his Q Award today.

"Usually awards are given by journalists and it's nice to go to these awards but ones that are voted for by the people, they're the most important ones," Noel told us. *NODS HEAD IN AGREEMENT*

"It's like the charts, you don't have to be at the top of it but I wouldn't object to being there and picking something up."

Source: uk.omg.yahoo.com

Noel Gallagher Is Not Surprised By His Album Being Number One In Ireland As He's Brilliant And It's A Great Album

Noel Gallagher has admitted that a part of him is not surprised his album, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, is number one in the Irish charts because he's "brilliant and it's a great album."

Speaking to RTÉ News, the former Oasis star did say he was taken aback at the success of the album given that X Factor winner Matt Cardle's album was also in the running for the top spot.

When asked about the Saturday night reality show, Gallagher who was in Dublin at the weekend, said he doesn't regret turning down a chance to be a judge on the X Factor, but revealed that it was nice to be asked. However, he said he never seriously considered it and despite joking about it in previous interviews, Louis Walsh was not a factor in his decision not to take up the offer.

Noel Gallagher began his global tour in Dublin last night, his first concert since Oasis split up two years ago shortly after their Slane Castle gig.

The 44-year-old expressed his joy that his first gig of the tour was in Dublin saying: "where better place to start than where all your relatives are."

He also added that he plans to take his sons to Ireland because "they deserve to spend a week in the rain."

According to the Belfast Telegraph the singer was spotted emerging from the Merrion Hotel yesterday wearing a Man City shirt, en route to his show in the Olympia Theatre. He was celebrating that his team had beaten rivals Manchester Utd 6-1 yesterday.

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds will play Dublin again next year on February 17 in the 02 and he has promised to play Oasis songs as part of his set.

Watch Lynsey Kiely's seventeen minute interview with Noel below the picture of him here.

Source: www.rte.ie

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds Enters The UK Album Chart At Number One

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds has entered the UK album charts at number one, on this week's Official Album Chart.

The top five albums this week are

1. NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS (Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds)
2. LETTERS (Matt Cardle)
3. THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION (Steps)
4. 21 (Adele)
5. + (Ed Sheeran)

Matt Cardle Wishes Noel Gallagher 'All The Best'

X Factor winner Matt Cardle has praised his chart rival Noel Gallagher as "a legend" as the pair go head-to-head in the race for this week's biggest selling album.

Gallagher's debut solo album High Flying Birds looks like landing the top spot on Sunday, with a significant lead over Cardle's new release, Letters.

The ex-Oasis star has so far sold 55,000 copies, while Letters has shifted 28,000, according to the Official Chart Company, although Cardle, 28, is expected to close the gap in the coming days once supermarket sales filter in.

Speaking ahead of a free acoustic show at HMV music store, in Oxford Street, central London, Cardle said: "Noel is quite a legend to be fair. I haven't heard the whole album - I've heard some tracks and they're great - but I wish him all the best."

The rivalry between Cardle and Gallagher's albums has built up during the past few weeks, with Gallagher claiming that he had turned down an offer from Simon Cowell to be an X Factor judge.

Cardle said Cowell had little input into his new album, adding: "I'm really thankful to Simon for letting me go away and write the album as I saw fit. We had a vision for the album quite early on and now it's come to life."

Source: The Press Association

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds Is Outselling Matt Cardle Two Copies To One

Noel Gallagher is on course to kick off his career as a solo artist with a UK number one album after starting the week by outselling Matt Cardle’s own newly-issued debut album by two copies to one.

Gallagher, who topped the albums chart eight times with Oasis, has already this week achieved nearly 55,000 sales of his Sour Marsh-issued album Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, according to today's Official Charts Company Midweek figures.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds single AKA What A Life, which reached number 20 last month, is now subject to a chart revival following its physical release. Having been 55 on last week’s chart, it is currently sitting in 21st place.

Source: www.musicweek.com

Noel Gallagher On Adele, Matt Cardle, X Factor And More

In between his ongoing feud with brother Liam and mouthing off about this year's X Factor lot, it's easy to forget that Noel Gallagher has a new album out. His first sort-of solo album, to be precise - with the backing of his anonymous High Flying Birds bandmates.

Having given the album a spin earlier this month, we called him up to find out whether he's suffering any release-week nerves and his take on today's rock bands.

What would you be doing now if you weren't talking to us?
"If I get a day off I'd just be mooching about the house. I don't like to do a great deal. Smoke some cigarettes, strum the guitar. You don't get much of a chance to do that when you've kids running around you all the f**king time."

You have an album out soon; are you allowed to relax at the moment?
"I work until about 7 o'clock and then clock in with my wife for the night shift. It's been OK - I don't mind the work because I allow myself such long periods of time off between recording and touring. I kind of get geared up for it; to know that I'm working flat out for the next two years feels great because I know I'll take another 18 months off after."

Early reviews of the album are suggesting it's on a par with Oasis's What's the Story Morning Glory?. Do you agree?
"I've only read the Q and Mojo ones, but it's difficult for me to get involved in that argument - but I think it's the best collection of songs I've had on an album in a long time. I've not written a whole album since 1999, so I'm glad people are saying that."

Some of the songs were written as long as ten years ago; did you always intend to keep them back for a solo project?
"I'd actually recorded those songs for the last two Oasis albums - and they were f**king great - but the vocals were never finished on them - they weren't as good as the versions on this album. Liam always ran out of time to finish them, and I thought if I didn't put them out now, I'm never going to."

You've released two great singles from the LP but they haven't charted as highly as you'd necessarily expect. Does that annoy you?
"Chart positions haven't bothered me since [2005's] Don't Believe The Truth - it all seemed to change after that. I was actually blown away that the singles managed to hang around for as long as they did - it shows a good song is a good song. I mean, how many 45-year-old fathers of three are in the charts? None! Beady Eye have done similar chart-wise, so why should I expect any different?"

What's wrong with the charts at the moment?
"There's nothing wrong them, they're just unrecognisable now from when I was growing up. It's a f**king free-for-all now! When 'The Death of You and Me' charted, the only other guitar song in the Top 40 was Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Under The Bridge' which was out 20 years ago but was in some new film. It's a mish-mash of all sorts of s**t. Who cares what's number one anymore? Just be thankful we lived in the '90s."

Are you hoping for a number one on the album chart instead then?
"I can't see it being number one as it's out the same week as Matt Cardle. Chart positions are for people with manbags who get to work at 11am because they've been at a digital meeting. It definitely won't affect the band - I'm on my own label and funded it with my kids' school fund - I'm hardly going to drop myself."

It would be quite funny if you did, though.
"It would - and then I can sue myself for aggravated dismissal. All I need is the record sales to break even so I can make another one."

'AKA... What A Life' is being used on the Vauxhall TV ads; has that ruined the song for you yet?
"Not really. Radio 1 are refusing to play my records - I understand that because I'm too old - but there are very few ways to get your music out there today, and unfortunately everything is for sale. I've had my shot with Radio 1 - I'm not going to sue them like Status Quo did. I wasn't sure on the advert at first - I want you to know that I was only thinking of the money when I agreed to it. It's hard being this age in the music industry."

Adele has bucked the current trends and become one of the biggest successes of the year. Are you a fan of her album?
"I've not heard it. I've heard 'Rolling in the Deep' and that was pretty good. I haven't got the album though - and to be frank I don't know anyone who has."

Aren't you intrigued to see what all the fuss is about?
"Not really. I know what she's about and I have no desire to hear that album."

As well as the charts being in a bit of a state, so is the country. Could that be a driving force for the revival of rock music?
"I don't think we live in those times when great art comes out of great adversity. People don't give a s**t anymore - as long as they've got an iPod, an iPad, mobile phone, and a flatscreen TV then they don't give a f**k. Everything you want you can get because it's all superficial. People don't aspire to be what Oasis and similar bands were about. They all want to be on The X Factor."

Do you think The X Factor is to blame for the state of the music industry?
"Take that Frankie [Cocozza] kid - he looks like an indie kid yet he's on The X Factor. They want the fast track to the big car. F**king go for it, but it's nothing to do with music. I think this country will produce less and less Morrisseys and Ian Browns because people won't sign them. Labels don't want it and the working class people can't afford to do it for themselves."

There's still a lot of indie bands around, though...
"There are, but what are those bands about? Will any of them say anything controversial? I don't think they ever will. I read interviews with bands and I don't give a f**king shit about what they're saying. It's all superficial nonsense. There's no reason why Kasabian or the Arctic Monkeys couldn't sell out Wembley for three nights - so it's something else. Whatever it is, these bands don't have it anymore."

You met Tony Blair when he was appointed prime minister; would you do the same if David Cameron invited you today?
"No way. I gave up on politics at the last election - it's all bollocks now. It all ended at this coalition - I don't remember an option for a coalition. How many people would have voted for it if it was an option? Who gives them the f**king right to decide that? I've don't mind Cameron - but get a proper f**king job, because what they're doing is pointless."

You're including some Oasis songs on your upcoming tour. Which do you think are the best?
"I have to include them - I don't have enough material for a show otherwise! Fortunately I've got an excellent back catalogue to fall back on. I'm doing 'Don't Look Back In Anger' on the acoustic guitar which is sounding particularly poignant at the moment. Rehearsing is getting f**king boring now. I just want to get on with it before we over-rehearse and turn s**t."

Noel Gallagher releases Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds today.

Source: www.digitalspy.co.uk