Owing to the timely debut of Ms. Mary J. Blige and the soundtrack from Sweeney Todd, weekly record sales were up for the first time compared with 2006. In case math isn’t a strong suit, that means that for fifty-one of the fifty-two weeks of the year, album sales were under those of 2006. In addition, the single gain posted was a meager 2.4% over the last year’s figures and boosted by Christmas falling on a Tuesday. Moving into 2008, the record companies will be exploring different approaches to increase interest in their products. The most visible front on what looks to be an uphill battle is the introduction of DRM-free downloads from the major labels, but recording corporations will have to be even more inventive as the industry moves into the post-CD age. [Reuters]