GOOD NEWS: U.S. album sales rose more than 3 percent last year for the first gain since 2004.
WHAT’S HAPPENING: It’s a sign that rising digital sales are finally stemming the decade-long decline of compact discs. Digital album sales rose nearly 20 percent to 103 million, while CDs fell nearly 6 percent to 225 million.
THE STAR: The increase last year to 458 million albums was helped by Adele’s sophomore album, “21,” which sold 5.8 million, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Huge interest in Adele also led to the sales of 856,000 copies of “19,” her debut album from 2008.