IFPI Platinum Europe Awards - Q2 2008

18 albums hit the 1 million sales mark in Q2 2008

July 2008

Three albums achieved IFPI Platinum Europe status in the second quarter of 2008, within their first few weeks of their release. The awards mark their achievement in selling more than a million copies across Europe and a total of 18 albums are honoured in the second quarter.

Coldplay's much anticipated fourth studio album, Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends, released in June, topped the charts across Europe from Portugal to Finland. The album has now sold more than 700,000 copies in the UK alone.

Welsh singer-songwriter Duffy secured an impressive double Platinum Award for her debut album Rockferry, which has notched up two million sales just four months since release. The critically acclaimed album, produced, in part, by former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, has topped the charts in five European countries. The album also hit the top 10 in the U.S. on its release there in May.

In April, Madonna's Hard Candy hit the top spot in a remarkable 37 countries worldwide, going on to achieve a Platinum Europe Award. Her eleventh studio album reached gold or platinum status in 17 European countries, crossing the million sales threshold within weeks of release.

Other albums picking up their first IFPI Platinum Europe Award in the second quarter of 2008 include This Is The Life, the debut album from 20-year-old Scottish singer-songwriter Amy MacDonald and You Could Have It So Much Better, Franz Ferdinand's second studio album.

Kaiser Chiefs secured a Platinum Award for their second studio album, Yours Truly, Angry Mob, which contained the UK number one single Ruby, and Kanye West picked up an award for his second studio album Late Registration. Queens of the Stone Age's Songs For The Deaf, which featured collaborations with several artists, including Dave Grohl playing the drums, also achieved a Platinum Award.

Two veteran acts saw their greatest hits collections pick up a Platinum Award. The Cure, who released 12 studio albums from the 1970s onwards, received an award for their Greatest Hits compilation, and Neil Diamond, who has had a string of hits since the 1960s including Sweet Caroline and America, received an award for The Best of Neil Diamond.

Grammy Award winning singer Michael Bublé sees two of his albums pick up their second Platinum Awards. Both Call Me Irresponsible and It's Time crossed the two million sales threshold in Europe.

Other artists whose albums received their second IFPI Platinum Europe Award in the second quarter of 2008 include Bryan Adams for his Unplugged album, James Blunt for All The Lost Souls and Scissor Sisters for Ta-Dah!

Take That continued their triumphant comeback with Beautiful World notching up its third Platinum Award since its release in November 2006. The album has spawned three international hit singles and marked their return to the top of the charts following their earlier split in 1996.