Either people are listening to them in the privacy of their homes only (yet unwilling to buy a ticket to a concert)-or, the sales figures are grossly overstated.
The chicks aren't turning up on talk shows or other venues, which is a good indication their album is not as in demand as the distributor claims.
They are washed up, for now. It didn't help that they launched the new album with more controvery and by insults aimed at conservatives and President Bush.
There you have it. I am guessing the label bought a good portion of those albums that have sold. (Remember J-Lo...it has happened before!) The numbers are not fabricated...they did sell those albums....it's just that the record label bought them back. It's spin, pure and simple. Hype begets hype (brokeback mtn, for example.) The theory is "if people think others are buying, they'll buy." Not working for them this time. The DC's insulted their fan base over and over, insulted our President, and alienated themselves b/c they couldn't just use some common sense and "shut up and sing." We don't want to hear their opinions. That's not why we buy CD's. I'll never buy one of theirs again, though. (I was a fan!)