The Eagles soar over the Billboard album charts

The Eagles are not for everyone. But baby boomers with lots of disposable income do tend to have a special spot in their hearts for the group.

So it doesn't come as much surprise that, even with its new double-disced album Long Road out of Eden available only at Wal-Mart, the group topped the latest Billboard charts. Yeah, okay, maybe you're yawning just reading that, but there are a few things to note here. Billboard, in all of its wisdom, abolished an old rule prohibiting "exclusive" albums from the charts. Now even discs sold at just one retailer can make the prestigious Billboard 200. Given that retailer exclusives are on the rise lately (we're looking at you, Billy Corgan), this move seems to further legitimize the practice. Secondly, the group shifted 700,000 units, which is pretty damned impressive in today's music industry environment.

Clearly, big record label execs are going to study this release over the next few months to see if they can emulate it. Is Fleetwood Mac up for a Best Buy-exclusive album? Only time will tell...

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