In terms of getting a hit single it is now near impossible for anything but a crap pop band (using the term band as loosely as possible, as they don't generally play any instruments) as the majority of single buyers are young teenagers who listen to whatever they think they should to fit into whatever peer group.

If a band does get a hit single it can be good promotion for the album, and can get more fans for that band. I personally bought Crush from hearing It's My Life and Say It Isn't So, and since then have bought all of the other band albums and solo albums (except Davids) because I like the music. I don't care too much what's in the charts now, I never have really.