Oasis Falls Short of No. 1

Oasis’ “Be Here Now” album fell less than 1,000 copies short of the No. 1 spot on the nation’s bestseller charts, SoundScan reported Wednesday. The British band’s latest album--which sold more than 1 million copies in its first week in England--sold 152,179 copies in its first week in the stores in this country. That left it 770 copies short of the total sold by Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs’ “No Way Out.” Mariah Carey’s “Honey,” meanwhile, replaced the Notorious B.I.G’s “Mo Money Mo Problems” as the nation’s best selling single. Both were co-produced by Combs.

What’s Hot

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

Oasis’ “Be Here Now” (Epic). Oasis is raising the stakes with its most bombastic and boldly personal effort yet. “Be Here Now” finds songwriter Noel Gallagher and his singing sibling Liam unabashedly laying claim to the pantheon of rock greats, while wistfully reflecting on their own long and winding road to stardom.

Coolio’s “My Soul” (Tommy Boy). Preserving integrity is the one thing Coolio easily achieves here. Many of the songs prove that despite his success, he cares deeply about his position as a rapper and a spokesman. As always, he finds ways to tell compelling stories, but he still has the ability to shake his groove thang.

Missy Elliott’s “Supa Dupa Fly” (EastWest). Like the Fugees’ Lauryn Hill, Elliott is a triple threat--a cool-as-ice rapper; a singer with an earthy, deeply soulful voice; and a talented songwriter and producer. Whether it’s the rollicking “Sock It 2 Me,” the mysterious “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” or the sultry “Friendly Skies,” this album just doesn’t let up.

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

Fleetwood Mac’s “The Dance” (Reprise). Reuniting the five members of the Mac’s most successful lineup, this live album features spirited but faithful versions of the lyrical, folk-based tunes that make up the group’s rich catalog and a few new numbers.

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs’ “Fabulosos Calavera” (BMG). A deep, heartfelt album by what used to be the most shallow band in Argentine rock, “Fabulosos” finds the group in high gear, immersed in a schizoid’s collage that includes cheesy ‘70s pop, spaghetti western soundtracks, hard core and a sudden turn toward the jazzier side.

What’s New

Genesis’ “Calling All Stations” (Atlantic).

Master P’s “Ghetto D” (No Limit/Priority).

What’s Coming

Tuesday: LeAnn Rimes’ “You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs” (Curb).

Sept. 16: Insane Clown Posse’s “The Great Milenko” (Island), Adina Howard’s “Welcome to Fantasy Island” (EastWest), Mariah Carey’s “Butterfly,” Usher’s “My Way,” (LaFace).