‘Higher’ Is Highest

Barbra Streisand’s “Higher Ground” has reached hallowed ground. The singer’s new album enters the pop chart at No. 1 after selling nearly 207,000 copies during its first week in stores, according to SoundScan.

The collection is Streisand’s eighth chart-topping album.

Country star Shania Twain’s “Come On Over” remains at No. 2 for the second consecutive week, while New Orleans rapper Mystikal’s “Unpredictable” and R&B; super group LSG’s “Levert.Sweat.Gill” debut at Nos. 3 and 4, respectively.

Locally, though, Streisand and all the nation’s other big sellers take a back seat to “Mark & Brian: You Had to Be There,” a two-disc charity album of comedy and music by the KLOS-FM morning radio team that was the No. 1 seller in Southern California last week. (It was ranked No. 48 nationally.)

Meanwhile, Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind 1997” was the nation’s top-selling single for the eighth week in a row. The charity tribute to the late Princess Diana has sold nearly 7 million copies since it was released in September, including some 146,000 last week.

What’s Hot

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

Bob Dylan’s “Time Out of Mind” (Columbia). Rock’s master songwriter has come up with what is arguably his most artful and convincing collection since the ‘70s.

Janet Jackson’s “The Velvet Rope” (Virgin). As a musician, Michael’s little sister has never seemed more confident or ambitious than she does here.

Mase’s “Harlem World” (Bad Boy/Arista). With the exceptions of fellow rappers Erick Sermon and Too Short, no one with a flow as slow and nonchalant as Mase’s has succeeded so well in a genre where testosterone and icy menace rule.

LeAnn Rimes’ “You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs” (Curb). The 15-year-old phenom unleashes her powerful voice on a dozen inspirational songs.

Shania Twain’s “Come on Over” (Mercury). Predictable songs of revelry and ecstasy dominate this follow-up to “The Woman in Me,” the best-selling album ever by a female country artist.

The Spice Girls’ “Spiceworld” (Virgin). If you’re gonna conquer the world with your outrageous antics and messages of “girl power” and “positivity,” you ought to muster a bit more zest for your second album than the English quintet has done here.

Barbra Streisand’s “Higher Ground” (Columbia). The heart of this studio collection showcases the kind of higher aspirations that are all too rare in mainstream pop.

What’s New

Celine Dion’s “Let’s Talk About Love” (550 Music/Epic), Metallica’s “Re-Load” (Elektra), Kenny G’s “Greatest Hits” (Arista).

What’s Coming

Tuesday: Garth Brooks’ “Sevens” (Capitol Nashville), 2Pac’s “R U Still Down? (Remember Me)” (Amaru/Jive).