A Solid ‘Grip’

With mainstream rock in the doldrums, it’s a boost for the genre for Aerosmith to enter The Times’ Southern California pop album chart at the top with “Get a Grip.” Can it last on top? Considering how “The Bodyguard” always bounces right back after being replaced at No. 1--don’t bet on it. But if “Bodyguard” does regain the top spot, it’ll be only until late May when Janet Jackson’s new album takes over. An indication of the potential of her upcoming (May 18) album is the instant success of the first single, “That’s the Way Love Goes,” which entered the pop chart at No. 1.

TOP 10 ALBUMS

Title, Artist (National Rank) Last Week 1 Get a Grip, Aerosmith (1) -- 2 The Bodyguard, soundtrack (2) 1 3 Love Deluxe, Sade (10) 2 4 Breathless, Kenny G (3) 3 5 Unplugged, Eric Clapton (5) 6 6 Pocket. . .of Kryptonite, Spin Doctors (4) 4 7 Ten Summoner’s Tales, Sting (11) 5 8 Pork Soda, Primus (7) -- 9 The Chronic, Dr. Dre (6) 7 10 It’s About Time, SWV (13) 9

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TOP 10 SINGLES

Title, Artist (National Rank) Last Week 1 That’s the Way. . ., Janet Jackson (2) -- 2 Nuthin’ But a “G” Thang, Dr. Dre (4) 1 3 Freak Me, Silk (1) 3 4 Knockin’ Da Boots, H Town (6) 8 5 Informer, Snow (3) 2 6 Show Me Love, Robin S (28) 19 7 Down With the King, Run-DMC (8) 5 8 I’m So Into You, SWV (7) 6 9 Touch My Light, Big Mountain (79) 9 10 It Was a Good Day, Ice Cube (10) 4

TOP 10 RAP ALBUMS

Title, Artist (National Rank) Last Week 1 The Chronic, Dr. Dre (1) 1 2 12 Inches of Snow, Snow (2) 3 3 14 Shots to the Dome, LL Cool J (4) 2 4 19 Naughty III, Naughty By Nature (3) 4 5 3 Years 5 Months. . ., Arrested Dev. (5) 5 6 Bliss Album?, P.M. Dawn (6) 7 7 Reachin,’ Digable Planets (10) 8 8 Predator, Ice Cube (8) 6 9 Home Invasion, Ice-T (12) 9 10 Unplugged, Arrested Development (14) 10

Source: SoundScan Inc., for week of April 25