‘Titanic’ Ties Second-Longest Run at the Top

The “Titanic” soundtrack was the nation’s best-selling album for the 13th week in a row, equaling “The Bodyguard” soundtrack for the second-longest chart-topping run of the SoundScan era, which started in 1991.

Only country singer Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Some Gave All,” which topped the chart for 17 consecutive weeks in 1992, spent more successive weeks at No. 1.

“Titanic” sold about 390,000 copies last week--the first time in 12 weeks that it failed to top 400,000--as it closed to within 35,000 of the 7 million mark in U.S. sales.

The week’s highest debuts were made by rap acts. Gang Starr’s “Moment of Truth” entered the chart at No. 6, while Daz Dillinger’s “Retaliation, Revenge & Get Back” came in at No. 8.

The nation’s top-selling single was Montell Jordan’s “Let’s Ride,” which sold about 135,000 copies.

What’s Hot

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

Eric Clapton’s “Pilgrim” (Duck/Reprise). Most of the 14 tracks on this album lament lost love, but the songwriting on Clapton’s first collection of original material since 1989 rarely rises above cliche.

C-Murder’s “Life or Death” (No Limit/Priority). The relentlessly depressing outlook in the gangsta rap put forth by the younger brother of Master P and Silkk the Shocker works against what may be sincere intentions.

Madonna’s “Ray of Light” (Warner Bros.). From the sparkling arrangements to the lyrics, this ambitious new collection of songs is Madonna’s most thoughtful and personal work since 1989’s “Like a Prayer.”

Mono’s “Formica Blues” (Mercury). Producer Martin Virgo and singer Siobhan de Mare have concocted an enchanting aural landscape that manages to strike a perfect balance between the cerebral pop of Portishead and the retro cool of the Sneaker Pimps.

Van Halen’s “Van Halen 3” (Warner Bros.) The veteran group’s first effort with new singer Gary Cherone may not be its most focused, but it might be its most adventurous.

Scott Weiland’s “12 Bar Blues” (Atlantic). Having loudly declared himself a rock star, Weiland backs up his claim with a solo debut that’s so far from his work with Stone Temple Pilots that it could have come from another galaxy.

What’s New

Bonnie Raitt’s “Fundamental” (Capitol), Various Artists’ “I Got the Hook-Up!” soundtrack (No Limit/Priority), Pulp’s “This Is Hardcore” (Island).