Pop Album Chart : Nirvana, One More Time

The Kurt Cobain mystique is in full bloom. Mourning fans, eager for a final musical memento of the late Nirvana leader, will make the group’s “MTV Unplugged in New York,” which entered the pop album chart at No. 1, one of the biggest year-end hits. Two albums gearing up to dominate the Christmas-music market just entered the chart--Mariah Carey’s “Christmas” (No. 30) and Kenny G’s “Miracles: The Holiday Album” (No. 38). Look for both to be in the Top 10 by next month. Fans haven’t taken to the rapping Digable Planets’ new “Blowout Comb,” which is plummeting down the chart--No. 71 and sinking.

* The Black Crowes are back with a new, classic-rock-styled album, “Amorica,” which jumped on the chart at No. 11. The hoopla about the Stones’ tour helps the Crowes. More fans are thinking about ‘60s and ‘70s rock these days.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1. “MTV Unplugged in New York,” Nirvana ... ... 1 2. “II,” Boyz II Men 2 4 10 3. “Murder Was the Case,” soundtrack 1 1 3 4. “Youthanasia,” Megadeth ... ... 1 5. “Smash,” Offspring 4 5 25 6. “Big Ones,” Aerosmith ... ... 1 7. “Bedtime Stories,” Madonna 3 ... 2 8. “Wildflowers,” Tom Petty ... ... 1 9. “Monster,” R.E.M. 5 6 6 10. “From the Cradle,” Eric Clapton 6 7 8 * “Amorica,”Black Crowes ... ... 1

Source: Billboard/SoundScan