Pop Album Chart : Curiosity Kills the Competition

Motley Crue fans apparently are curious about John Corabi, who replaced lead singer Vince Neil, translating that curiosity into a No. 7 debut for the band’s new album. This may seem like a relatively low opening position for a group that’s been so popular, but alternative rock is what’s selling big now and Crue’s brand of standard hard-rock has fallen on hard times. Speaking of veteran rockers, David Lee Roth’s new “Your Filthy Little Mouth,” sure died quickly. After entering at No. 78 last week, it fell to No. 144. Disco lives--thanks to Ace of Base. The group’s album, “The Sign,” took over the top spot on the pop chart, matching the success of the title single, which has headed the pop singles chart for the past month.

* New Age keyboardist Yanni continues to amaze. His live album jumped from No. 26 to No. 11 after three weeks. Live albums usually slip after first-week sales to hard-core fans, but this one continues to gather steam. New Age stars--except for Enya--sell well long-term but rarely in big enough bunches to make much noise at the upper levels of the pop chart. This album has a good shot at the Top 10. Source: Billboard/Soundscan

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1. “The Sign,” Ace of Base 3 2 17 2. “Superunknown,” 1 ... 2 Soundgarden 3. “12 Play,” R. Kelly 4 3 19 4. “August and Everything 7 7 14 After,” Counting Crows 5. “Music Box,” 6 5 29 Mariah Carey 6. “Toni Braxton,” 5 1 36 Toni Braxton 7. “Motley Crue,” ... ... 1 Motley Crue 8. “The Colour of My Love,” 8 4 19 Celine Dion 9. “Doggystyle,” 9 8 17 Snoop Doggy Dogg 10. “Very Necessary,” 12 9 23 Salt-n-Pepa * “Live at the Acropolis,” 26 55 3 Yanni