POP LP CHART

This is the week for fast-starting albums. Rush’s “Hold Your Fire” rocketed to No. 19 in just two weeks on the Billboard magazine pop album chart. And R.E.M. did almost as well. This critically acclaimed band from Athens, Ga., may have its biggest album yet with “Document,” No. 23 after two weeks on the chart. Mr. Mister’s “Go On . . . “ may not, as expected, go on to the Top 10. It moved up just seven notches, to No. 55. After two weeks, this album probably should have cracked in the Top 40. Another top band hits the brakes? The Cars’ new “Door to Door” has stalled at No. 26. On the other hand, the “Dirty Dancing” sound track (No. 12) should be in the Top 10 next week. Great White’s “Once Bitten” (No. 25) may glide into the Top 20 next week. Whitney Houston’s “Didn’t We Almost Have it all” is still the No. 1 pop single. Bubbling under the Top 10: Levert’s “Casanova” (No. 11) and Natalie Cole’s “Jump Start” (No. 13).

* The rumors of concerning the death of progressive rock are greatly exaggerated, it would seem. Pink Floyd, among a few others, is keeping it alive, although the new Pink Floyd lineup is missing longtime bassist-vocalist-songwriter Roger Waters, who’s left the band and is touring on his own. Floyd’s first album since 1983’s “The Final Cut” is off to a fast start, jumping to No. 14 in its second week on the pop album chart.

TITLE RANK RANK WEEKS LAST 2 WKS ON WEEK AGO CHART 1. Bad 1 ---- 2 Michael Jackson (Epic) 2. Whitesnake 4 3 25 Whitesnake (Geffen) 3. Whitney 3 2 15 Whitney Houston (Arista) 4. La Bamba 2 1 11 sound track (Warner Bros.) 5. Hysteria 5 4 7 Def Leppard (Polygram) * A Momentary Lapse of Reason Pink Floyd (Columbia) 43 ---- 2