Pop Album Chart : Meatloaf’s Still Cookin’ With ‘Bat’

Meatloaf continues to roast his competition with the “sequel” “Bat Out of Hell II,” which is capitalizing on the incredible fan base from the original. That late ‘70s release has never stopped selling. “Bat II” nosed out Garth Brooks’ “In Pieces” for the top spot on the pop album chart. Many critics have trashed the album, but fans obviously don’t care. Really boosting it is his single, “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That),” which is No. 2 on the pop singles chart. “Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles,” featuring country stars singing Eagles songs, shows signs of becoming the year’s biggest compilation album. It debuted at No. 10 is expected to do very well when the Christmas shopping season gets under way. Mariah Carey’s “Dreamlover” is still the No. 1 pop single.

* The members of Boyz II Men probably aren’t feeling too merry about the initial reception of their “Christmas Interpretations” album, which debuted last week at lowly No. 136 and did only slightly better this week, moving up to 102. Granted it’s a Christmas album, but such packages by major stars often debut in the Top 20. Clearly what’s missing is a hit single to drive album sales. If the album doesn’t at least crack the Top 100, it’ll be a blue Christmas for the Boyz.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1.”Bat Out of Hell II,” 2 3 5 Meatloaf 2.”In Pieces,” 1 1 7 Garth Brooks 3.”In Utero,” 3 2 4 Nirvana 4.”River of Dreams,” 7 6 10 Billy Joel 5.”Music Box,” 4 4 7 Mariah Carey 6.”janet.,” 6 7 22 Janet Jackson 7.”Greatest Hits Volume Two,” 5 8 3 Reba McEntire 8.”Easy Come, Easy Go,” 8 5 3 George Strait 9. “Blind Melon,” 10 9 15 Blind Melon 10. “Common Thread,” ... ... 1 various artists *”Christmas Interpretations,” 136 ... 2 Boyz II Men

Source: Billboard/Soundscan