Best-Selling ‘Titanic’ Holds Off George Strait’s ‘One Step’

Its weekly sales figures are sinking, but the “Titanic” soundtrack remains afloat as the nation’s best-selling album for the 16th consecutive week.

“Titanic” sold about 184,000 copies last week, according to SoundScan, to hold off a strong challenge from country singer George Strait’s “One Step at a Time,” which sold about 178,000 copies during its first week in stores to enter the chart at No. 2.

Meanwhile, two other albums also debuted among the Top 10: Faith Hill’s “Faith” at No. 7 and Page & Plant’s “Walking Into Clarksdale” at No. 8.

The nation’s top-selling single was Next’s “Too Close,” which sold nearly 137,000 copies to hang onto No. 1 for the third week in a row.

What’s Hot

Faith Hill’s “Faith” (Warner Bros.). Hill, who hops from fluffy pop-country love ditties to overwrought power ballads, is striving to be more than just a pretty face and voice, but she needs a firmer hand on the artistic rudder.

Page & Plant’s “Walking Into Clarksdale” (Atlantic). The bluster of their Led Zeppelin days has abated a bit, but the music that Jimmy Page and Robert Plant have concocted since reteaming in 1994--including this batch of all new material--is no less engaging.

George Strait’s “One Step at a Time” (MCA Nashville). There are light moments in some typically breezy, upbeat tunes that have long been Strait’s forte, but the overall mood is one of melancholy. Solid, but no big surprises.

Various artists’ “I Got the Hook-Up!” soundtrack (No Limit/Priority). The treats are few in this mixed-bag collection of angst-riddled raps and whiny R&B; melodies compiled for rapper-mogul Master P’s second independent film.

What’s New

Dave Matthews Band’s “Before These Crowded Streets” (RCA), Public Enemy’s “He Got Game” soundtrack (Def Jam/PolyGram), Various artists’ “Lilith Fair: A Celebration of Women in Music” (Arista).

What’s Coming

Tuesday: LeAnn Rimes’ “Sittin’ on Top of the World” (Curb), Tori Amos’ “From the Choirgirl Hotel” (Atlantic).