Pop Albums Outsell Rock For The First Time In Seven Years

Pop albums outsold rock albums for the first time in seven years in 2011.

According to news figures released today (January 16) by the Official Charts Company, a total of seven of the top 10 selling albums were 'pop albums'.

Artists like Jessie J and Adele drove big sales last year, giving pop albums a 33.6% share of album sales in 2011.

Despite the release of new effort's from Coldplay and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, rock album sales fell from 31.2% to 29.4%.

BPI Chief Executive Geoff Taylor said of the sales figures: "2011 was a vintage year for Pop albums so it is hardly surprising that the genre has elbowed Rock aside as the nation’s favourite. Although rock’s share is the lowest for eight years, it still accounts for three in ten of every albums sold so recent reports of its demise are premature."

He continued: "Pop has managed to double its share of singles sales in the space of five years and now outsells Rock by two-to-one. It’s no coincidence that over the same period dozens of vibrant, digital music services have launched in Britain, enabling younger music fans to buy and enjoy tracks online at pocket money prices."

The news follows recent comments from Kasabian, The Black Keys and Noel Gallagher on a drought of rock n' roll bands in the charts.