"Paramore, the Fueled by Ramen punk-rock group whose 360-deal with WMG through Atlantic Records has proven a successful new model, look headed for a #1 debut on next week’s HITS Album sales chart, based on one-day sales reports from those retailers who still take our calls.

Brand New Eyes, the third studio album from the band, fronted by lead vocalist Hayley Williams, takes an early lead in the race with a one-day sales total that projects to 180-190k for the week. That gives them the edge over Island/IDJ diva Mariah Carey’s Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, which is now on target for 160-170k. With a question as to how front-loaded those sales for Paramore are, Carey could close the edge if she has a brisk weekend." (Source: Mariah Connection)

Not only would these be Mariah Carey's lowest opening week since 2001's Glitter but the fact that there is a very real possibly that she may be squeezed from the top spot by Paramore is not a good look. It seemed like a given that Mariah would clinch the number one spot, especially after pushing her album back to reportedly avoid the competition with Whitney Houston's new album. Don't count the pop diva out quite yet though. The race may be close but it's not over quite yet.