December 2004 - Platinum Europe Awards

Platinum Europe sees biggest monthly awards haul in three years

January 10, 2005

Twenty albums are featured in December's list of Platinum Europe Awards- the highest monthly total of albums awarded in over three years. December's total has taken the number of albums awarded in the whole of 2004 to 77, up from 70 in 2003.

Last year saw a total of 89 separate Platinum Europe Awards awarded to 63 artists - up from 83 total awards and 57 artists in 2003.

The last month of sales for 2004 saw the year's only Spanish language album achieve sales of a million across Europe. UK artists also feature strongly in December sales, with seven of the 20 albums awarded going to UK acts.

British boy band Blue achieved Platinum in December for Best of Blue, a greatest hits compilation. After three and a half years the band have decided to part ways, and having already received two Platinum Europe Awards in 2004 for two previous albums, Blue add a third to the list for Best of Blue.

David Bisbal receives a Platinum Europe Award for his second album release Bulería. The only Spanish language album to achieve Platinum Europe status in 2004, this is Bisbal's second Award. He achieved initial fame as a runner-up in Spain's equivalent to Fame Academy reality show, Operacion Triunfo.

After a three-year hiatus Destiny's Child are back with Destiny Fulfilled. Co-written by all three of the group's members, Destiny Fulfilled has sold a million copies across Europe and is awarded a Platinum Europe.

Attaining a Platinum Europe Award - and a second for Green Day - American Idiot is the band's seventh studio album to date. An accomplished and narrative-driven concept album, it details the alienation and disillusionment of the American citizen living under Bush's administration.

Following the success of The Soul Sessions in which she covered rare soul grooves, 17 year old Joss Stone releases her first original album Mind, Body & Soul. Mind, Body & Soul receives its first Platinum Europe Award.

Released in November, Ultimate Kylie is a double CD and comprehensive collection of Kylie Minogue's hits from 1987 to present day. Awarded a Platinum Europe Ultimate Kylie features hit singles such as I Should Be So Lucky and Can't Get You Out Of My Head, and also includes two brand new tracks.

Los Choristes is the motion picture soundtrack for the popular, 2004 French film. The album has achieved 4 x Platinum in France and receives its first Platinum Europe Award.

Former Boyzone member Ronan Keating celebrates his tenth anniversary as a pop artist with the release of his album 10 Years Of Hits. Keating is awarded with his fourth Platinum Europe Award as a solo artist, as 10 Years Of Hits goes 1 x Platinum Europe.

Shania Twain's Greatest Hits album is the first compilation from the multi-Grammy, platinum-selling artist. Comprising Twain's finest moments Greatest Hits receives its first Platinum Europe Award, gaining Twain her tenth Platinum Award overall for album sales across Europe.

Another female icon who releases a double CD greatest hits collection in November is Tina Turner. All The Best highlights Turner's best recordings from over five decades in the business and includes two new songs.

Encore, Eminem's fourth solo studio album release, goes double Platinum for sales across Europe. All four albums by Eminem have reached Platinum Europe status and have notched up a total of twelve awards for the artist.

Releasing their debut album in May 2004, Keane have successfully mobilised the record buying public with their searing melodies and wistful lyrics. Hopes & Fears has sold two million across Europe and gains Keane 2 x Platinum Europe Awards.

Maroon 5 gives its audience an eclectic album with distinctive taste and mass appeal as Songs About Jane scores its second Platinum Europe Award. Fusing together a mix of rock, R&B, pop, funk and jazz Songs About Jane contains the hit single She Will Be Loved.

Mezzanine earns Bristol trip-hoppers Massive Attack a double Platinum Europe Award as it goes multi-platinum, platinum or gold across 16 countries in Europe.

The instantly catchy self-titled debut album by Scissor Sisters has attracted a lot of media attention, and whilst influences by the likes of Bowie, Elton John and Bee Gees are evident, Scissor Sisters still manages to deliver a unique freshness. Scissor Sisters gains a second Platinum Award.

Alicia Keys is a multi-faceted vocalist, songwriter and musician, whose influences run back further than her years. Keys debut album Songs In A Minor made a significant impact upon its release in 2001 and has reached 3 x Platinum Awards as it achieves platinum and multi-platinum status in 14 European countries.

Yet another solo female artist appears on the December list. Christina Aguilera collects a third Platinum Europe Award for sales of her second album release Stripped. The hit singles Dirrty and Beautiful appear on the album.

A third Platinum Europe is awarded to Lenny Kravitz for the 2000 release of his Greatest Hits compilation. Five albums into his career, Greatest Hits collects 15 tracks that include Let Love Rule, It Ain't Over Til It's Over and Are You Gonna Go My Way.

Since its release in November U2's album How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb continues to sell in considerable numbers across Europe, and reached the three million sales mark by December.

Greatest Hits by Robbie Williams achieved 4 million sales since its release in October. This makes Robbie's Greatest Hits the only album to have reached 4 x Platinum Europe Awards within three consecutive months of its release date.

For further information contact
Nisha Gohil, IFPI Communications Department
Tel: +44 (0)20 7878 7900