U2’s ‘Pop’ Pops Off to a Good Start

U2’s much-anticipated “Pop” album on Island Records is off to an encouraging start, entering the national sales chart at No. 1 by selling nearly 350,000 copies last week, according to SoundScan.

That’s the highest single-week total this year and the biggest opening-week figure since the 479,000 copies generated by Snoop Doggy Dogg’s “Tha Doggfather” last November.

The results surely led to a sigh of relief in the record industry, which had seen several of its rock superstars, including Pearl Jam and R.E.M., come in with relatively disappointing opening-week figures--a trend in recent months that has greatly troubled the $12-billion-a-year industry, whose sales have been flat for two years.

“It’s a very healthy first week,” said Geoff Mayfield, charts editor of Billboard magazine. “It’s a very respectable start.”

U2’s last two albums, 1991’s “Achtung Baby” and 1993’s “Zoo-ropa,” sold an estimated 275,000 and 377,000 copies in their first weeks. The albums went on to sell 5 million and 2 million, respectively.

Meanwhile, however, ticket sales for the Irish rock group’s lavish world tour, which begins April 25 in Las Vegas, have been mixed. While shows have sold out and dates have been added in some cities, including New York and Chicago, Amusement Business magazine reported that only about 20,000 tickets have been sold in San Diego and Tempe, Ariz.

What’s Hot

Here are some recent releases that are generating critical or commercial attention:

Erykah Badu’s “Baduizm” (Universal). A seductive, soothing amalgamation of black nationalist politics, romance, jazz poetry and hip-hop sass.

U2’s “Pop” (Island). Engrossing mix of the energy of the dance music scene with songs that explore questions of personal and spiritual ideals and doubts.

L7’s “The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum” (Reprise). Crafty, high-octane and smart, this infectious offering is the best album this L.A.-based band has made.

Various artists’ “Gridlock’d” soundtrack (Death Row/Interscope). With “Life Is a Traffic Jam,” the late 2Pac proves himself a true warrior poet, with an artistic range that extends even to jazz.

Pavement’s ‘Brighten the Corners’ (Matador/Capitol). Like Beck, Pavement unreels long strings of imagery, concocting a disarming blend of charm and mystery.

Spice Girls’ “Spice” (Virgin). This sexy, prepackaged, female version of the Monkees appears shamelessly one-dimensional--even if it’s all in the name of fun.

Jimmy Smith Trio’s “The Master II” (Blue Note). The innovative organist delivers danceable whine and grind with help from guitarist Kenny Burrell.

Enrique Iglesias’ “Vivir” (Fonovisa). More pop formula--corny love ballads, conventional arrangements--from Julio’s mega-star son.

What’s New

Aretha Franklin’s “One Lord One Faith” (Arista), Shonen Knife’s “Brand New Knife” (Big Deal/Paradigm), Blur’s “Blur” (Virgin), Gato Barbieri’s “Que Pasa” (Columbia).

What’s Coming

Tuesday: Aerosmith’s “Nine Lives” (Columbia), Graham Revell’s “Vision II” (Angel), Watts Prophets’ “When the ‘90s Came” (fffr/London).