Matthews Band’s ‘Crowded Streets’ Pushes ‘Titanic’ Out of the Top Spot
The “Titanic” soundtrack has finally sunk. After 16 weeks as the nation’s best-selling album, the mostly instrumental score from the blockbuster movie slips to No. 3 this week.
Taking over the top spot is the Dave Matthews Band’s “Before These Crowded Streets,” which sold nearly 422,000 copies during its first week in stores--the highest debut-week total this year.
Runner-up: The “City of Angels” soundtrack.
New York rapper Big Punisher’s debut, “Capital Punishment,” enters the chart at No. 5.
The nation’s top-selling single was Mariah Carey’s “My All.”
What’s Hot
Some recent releases generating critical or commercial attention:
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.
Dave Matthews Band’s “Before These Crowded Streets” (RCA). It’s hard to find fault with Matthews, as so many have, just because he dares to be both musically ambitious and crowd-pleasing. He has never before reconciled those two impulses so effectively.
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 new material--is no less engaging.
Public Enemy’s “He Got Game” soundtrack (Def Jam/PolyGram). The soundtrack for Spike Lee’s new basketball-themed drama is a comeback of significant proportions for one of rap’s most celebrated groups.
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
LeAnn Rimes’ “Sittin’ on Top of the World” (Curb), Tori Amos’ “From the Choirgirl Hotel” (Atlantic).
What’s Coming
Tuesday: Garbage’s “Version 2.0” (ALMO Sounds), Massive Attack’s “Mezzanine” (Virgin).
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