Pop Album Chart : Cyrus Challengers Hard to Find

Is anybody going to bounce pop-country phenomenon Billy Ray Cyrus out of the top spot of the Billboard magazine pop album chart? His “Some Gave All” is enjoying its 11th week at No. 1 and seems to have no serious challengers. Some thought fellow country star Clint Black might dethrone Cyrus, but his month-old “The Hard Way” never came close, peaking at No. 8 and this week sinking to No. 21. The rap group House of Pain has a hot album, “House of Pain,” which shot up to No. 14 in its second week on the chart. Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road,” from the “Boomerang” soundtrack, continues as the No. 1 pop single.

* The Australian rock band INXS, which has a large following of young females, premieres with its new album, “Welcome to Wherever You Are,” at No. 16. It should climb into the Top 10 next week.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1. “Some Gave All,” Billy Ray Cyrus 1 1 12 2. “Ten,” Pearl Jam 3 5 34 3. “Totally Krossed Out,” 2 2 19 Kris Kross 4. “Boomerang,” 5 4 6 soundtrack 5. “MTV Unplugged,” 4 3 10 Mariah Carey 6. “Countdown to Extinction,” 7 6 4 Megadeath 7. “Mo’ Money,” 6 12 7 soundtrack 8. “Ropin’ the Wind,” 8 9 48 Garth Brooks 9. “Blood Sugar Sex Magik,” 9 11 46 Red Hot Chili Peppers 10. “Metallica,” Metallica 12 13 52 *”Welcome to Wherever ... ... 1 You Are,” INXS

Source: Billboard/Soundscan