THE MARKET: Will John Mellencamp’s upcoming album “Life, Death, Love and Freedom” debut in the top 5 of the Billboard 200? If it does, shares are worth $100. If it doesn’t, shares are worth $0. The album will be released on July 15. Trading closes at 11:59 p.m. July 20. The market will be cleared when Billboard releases new charts on July 25.
THE DATA: The Indiana boy has been in the public consciousness for the better part of three decades, scoring a peak at No. 5 with last year’s “Freedom’s Road.” His new album marks the first time he has worked with uber-producer T-Bone Burnett.
OUR TAKE: With the ubiquitous reminders from Chevrolet that “This Is Our Country” still assaulting our senses, John Mellencamp’s next album will be unleashed on the public in mid-July. “Life, Death, Love and Freedom” should get a huge boost from a distribution deal that will see it sold in Starbucks in addition to normal retail channels. If the album manages not to crack the top five, Mellencamp might heed the words of Michael Jordan: “Republicans buy sneakers too.”—Earl Munro

LEARN MORE:
Visit John Mellencamp’s official site.
See John Mellencamp’s Billboard chart history page.

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