IFPI Platinum Europe - Certifications for April 2004
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Four albums were awarded Platinum European Awards for sales in April with three of the four honoured for the first time.
Anastacia's self-titled album achieves sales in Europe of one million within a month of its release. Anastacia features 12 songs with the artist's signature power vocals, lyrics and song writing, but has more of a rock sound than her two previous recordings. The album is also a triumph over adversity as Anastacia recorded it while undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Having literally outgrown the role of teen sensation Britney Spears' fourth album, In The Zone, concentrates on grooves and hip-hop beats and has more of a club-ready feel than her previous releases. The album also sees Spears' collaborate with the likes of Madonna and Moby. Receiving its first European Platinum Award, In the Zone includes the highly addictive and accomplished single Toxic.
Guns N' Roses crashed into the music scene in the '80s offering raw and ferocious hard rock that, unlike most of their peers, conveyed disillusionment with the Hollywood dream. If time is the true test, then Guns N' Roses Greatest Hits confirms that they really were one of the greatest rock bands in the world. It is a reminder of Axl Rose's lyrics and vocals - that add grit to already grim tales of sex, drugs and rock & roll - all powerfully complemented by the riff spitting interplay of guitarists Slash and Izzy Stradlin. Released in March 2004, the Greatest Hits album gains its first Platinum Europe Award and includes the hit singles Sweet Child O' Mine, Paradise City, Welcome to the Jungle, November Rain and Patience.
Dido is truly one of the music world's current international stars as she goes Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum in 18 countries across Europe. Dido's popularity lies in her ability to create well-crafted, melodic songs that easily work their way into the subconscious. Matching the success of her debut 5x Platinum Europe Award winner No Angel, Life for Rent also joins an elite IFPI Platinum club of albums that have achieved sales of five million or more. A feat made more amazing as it was accomplished within 7 months of the album's release date!
