ORGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK IS #2 ON ITUNES TOP ALBUM CHART; CHIPMUNKS MUSIC VIDEO "WITCH DOCTOR" AVAILABLE NOW ON RHAPSODY.COM
(NEW YORK, NY) - ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS live action/CGI motion picture opens at #2 with a $44 million box office gross. The original motion picture soundtrack, ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS, is currently the #2 album on the iTunes top album chart and is the greatest gainer on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart (up 189%) landing at #67, with over 28,000 units scanned in this week alone. The soundtrack is also in the Top 10 for both the Billboard Soundtrack and Digital Sales charts at #7 and #10, respectively. The latest music video from Alvin and the Chipmunks for the hit song "Witch Doctor" also premiered on Rhapsody.com. The video features footage from the film as well as additional footage of the "Witch Doctor" dance craze. Watch the video here.
Variety declared "Hollywood is counting on 20th Century Fox's live-action/CGI hybrid Alvin and the Chipmunks to usher in a merry holiday season." The success of the movie and soundtrack comes on the heels of a number of high profile television appearances by the film cast and Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise owners, Ross Bagdasarian and Janice Karman (who are also the film co-producers). Appearances included The Today Show, FOX & Friends, Live with Regis & Kelly, FOX Morning Show with Mike & Juliet, The Rachael Ray Show, CBS Sunday Morning, and MTV's Total Request Live.
The motion picture features Chipmunks lead character, Dave Seville transforming singing chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore into pop sensations - while the out-of-control trio lays waste to Dave's home, wreaks havoc with his career, and turns Dave's once-orderly life upside-down. The film stars Jason Lee, Cameron Richardson and David Cross - and as the voices of Alvin and the Chipmunks, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, and Jesse McCartney.
The original motion picture soundtrack showcases the Chipmunks' signature sound and modern takes on rock, pop, reggae and hip hop, produced by Ali Dee (Mya, Shakira). Included among the songs are renditions of classics such as "Funkytown," "Witch Doctor," and "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)". Stand out new songs include "Get Munk'd," "Coast to Coast," "Follow Me Now," as well as a cover of the Top 40 hit "Bad Day."
A global phenomenon to generations of fans, Alvin and the Chipmunks have sold more than 43 million albums worldwide and won three Grammy awards. The Chipmunks have engaged audiences for decades with animated television shows, feature films, album releases and video games. In 2008, Alvin and the Chipmunks will celebrate their 50th Anniversary.