Pop Album Chart : Nirvana Gets a Piece of Garth Brooks

Easily the week’s biggest seller was Nirvana’s long-awaited “In Utero,” which entered the chart at No. 1--a position it may hold until the Pearl Jam album comes out Oct. 19. When ‘70s rocker Meat Loaf’s “Bat Out of Hell II” premiered at No. 3 last week, some predicted it would drop down the chart faster than--what else?--a bat out of hell. But a second sizzling week--ranking No. 4--indicates the Meat Loaf album may be a long-term seller. Toni Braxton’s self-titled debut album may be in the Top 10 next week. Spurred by her Top 10 pop single, “Another Sad Love Song,” the album moved up three places to No. 11. Notable debuts on the pop album chart: Scorpions’ “Face the Heat” (No. 24) and De La Soul’s “Buhloone Mindstate” (No. 40). Mariah Carey’s “Dreamlover” is still the top pop single.

* Pop-rocker Melissa Etheridge made a strong showing in her first week on the chart, with her album “Yes I Am” entering at No. 16.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1.”In Utero,” ... ... 1 Nirvana 2.”In Pieces,” 1 1 4 Garth Brooks 3.”Music Box,” 2 2 4 Mariah Carey 4.”Bat Out of Hell II,” 3 ... 2 Meat Loaf 5.”River of Dreams,” 4 3 7 Billy Joel 6.”Blind Melon,” 5 4 12 Blind Melon 7.”janet.,” 7 6 19 Janet Jackson 8.”Sleepless in Seattle,” 6 5 14 soundtrack 9.”Core,” Stone 8 8 40 Temple Pilots 10.”Black Sunday,” 10 10 10 Cypress Hill *”Yes I Am,” ... .. 1 Melissa Etheridge

Source: Billboard/Soundscan