‘MiB’ Barely Hangs On to Top Spot in the Nation

The soundtrack from “Men in Black” holds the top spot on the nation’s album chart this week, but just barely. The collection, featuring songs from Will Smith, Snoop Doggy Dogg and Nas, sold 168,000 copies last week, according to SoundScan, edging out Sarah McLachlan’s just-released “Surfacing” by 8,000 copies. Singer-rapper-producer Missy Elliott came in third with her new solo collection, “Supa Dupa Fly.” The country’s best-selling singles both belonged to Bad Boy Entertainment artists: Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs’ “I’ll Be Missing You” and the Notorious B.I.G.’s “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems.”

What’s Hot

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

Puff Daddy & the Family’s “No Way Out” (Bad Boy). By finally stepping past the vainglorious gloss and letting us in on his deepest feelings and doubts, Bad Boy Entertainment CEO Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs reveals his potential and power as an artist.

Prodigy’s “The Fat of the Land” (Maverick). “Fat,” which employs samples from such varied sources as Ultramagnetic M.C.’s and the Breeders, carries you along with the sonic rise and fall of a spectacular roller-coaster ride.

Lady of Rage’s “Necessary Roughness” (Death Row). Rage delivers her lyrics with gale force and knocks out her tracks with rabbit-punch viciousness. A formidable woman with many surprises up her Afro puffs.

Radiohead’s “OK Computer” (Capitol). This work is a solid, far-reaching nightmare of paranoia, aliens, “the future,” technology and social disgust, and the band makes the fear inviting with a dreamy cushion of stunning musicality.

Wyclef Jean’s “Wyclef Jean Presents the Carnival” (Ruffhouse/Columbia). As captivating as the Fugees’ Lauryn Hill is, her partner’s record proves that the group’s success is due to the sum of all of its parts. The future of the Fugees may be even stronger as a result.

What’s New

In stores now: Puff Daddy & the Family’s “No Way Out” (Bad Boy).

What’s Coming

July 29: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s “The Art of War” (Ruthless), Joe’s “All That I Am,” (Jive), Lisa Stansfield’s “Lisa Stansfield” (Arista).