The American industry has suffered year-on-year losses continuously since 2000 but this year's downturn is going to be the biggest yet - even before that 29% slump is factored in, year-to-date sales were down 12.6%, with 37,679,350 fewer albums sold thus far in 2008 compared to 2007 - a shortfall of nearly a million a week.

Just three albums sold more than 100,000 copies last week, whereas the entire Top 10 sold more than 100,000 in the same week last ...