Pop Album Chart : Brooks’ ‘Chase’ Outruns Competition

As predicted, Garth Brooks’ “The Chase” premiered at No. 1 on the Billboard magazine pop album chart, annihilating the competition. He has two in the Top 5, with his Christmas collection, “Beyond the Season,” at No. 5. The summer chart champ, Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Some Gave All,” on top for 17 weeks, finally slipped to third. Look for a surge in sales by all the top country artists--particularly Trisha Yearwood and Vince Gill--in the next few weeks, the usual aftermath of the telecast of the Country Music Assn. Awards show. Nine Inch Nails’ impressive chart debut, at No. 7, is partly a result of the band’s lauded performances on last year’s Lollapalooza tour.

* Singer Sinead O’Connor is crooning oldies in her new collection--nothing likely to generate controversy. “Am I Not Your Girl?,” showcasing her acclaimed vocal style, premiered at No. 27.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1.”The Chase,” ... ... 1 Garth Brooks 2.”Unplugged,” 3 2 5 Eric Clapton 3.”Some Gave All,” 1 1 19 Billy Ray Cyrus 4.”Ten,” Pearl Jam 2 3 41 5.”Beyond the Season,” 4 4 5 Garth Brooks 6.”Singles,” soundtrack 7 16 13 7.”Broken,” Nine Inch Nails ... ... 1 8.”Bobby,” Bobby Brown 5 5 5 9.”What’s the 411?,” 6 6 9 Mary J. Blige 10.”III Sides to Every Story,” ... ... 1 Extreme * “Am I Not Your Girl?,” ... ... 1 Sinead O’Connor

Source: Billboard/Soundscan