Pop Album Chart : Soundgarden KOs Nails in First Round

Two honchos from the alternative scene are slugging it out for the top spot on the pop album chart. Soundgarden won the first round, debuting at No. 1 with “Superunknown.” But don’t be surprised if Nine Inch Nails, which entered at No. 2 with “The Downward Spiral,” claws its way to the top in the next few weeks. Speaking of downward spirals, look what’s happening to Hammer: He’s struggling in his new gangsta rap mode. After debuting at No. 12, his “The Funky Headhunter” slipped to No. 22. There’s no hit single to help keep it alive. Notable debuts: Gang Starr’s “Hard to Earn” (No. 25) and Elvis Costello’s “Brutal Youth” (No. 34). Beck’s “Mellow Gold” figured to drop after entering last week at No. 15, but the newcomer’s album went in the other direction, notching up to No. 13. Ace of Base’s “The Sign” is the top pop single for the third straight week.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1. “Superunknown,” Soundgarden ... ... 1 2. “The Downward Spiral,” ... ... 1 Nine Inch Nails 3. “The Sign,” Ace of Base 2 3 16 4. “12 Play,” R. Kelly 3 2 18 5. “Toni Braxton,” Toni Braxton 1 8 35 6. “Music Box,” Mariah Carey 5 1 28 7. “August and Everything After,” 7 7 13 Counting Crows 8. “The Colour of My Love,” 4 6 18 Celine Dion 9. “Doggystyle,” Snoop Doggy Dogg 8 4 16 10. “The Cross of Changes,” Enigma 10 10 5 * “Live at the Acropolis,” Yanni 55 ... 2

* Music snobs can laugh all they want at New Age star Yanni, but he’s sure selling. His new album jumped from No. 55 to No. 26 in two weeks. What’s really impressive is that this is a live album. Not many get this high on the chart so quickly.

Source: Billboard/Soundscan