Pumpkins, Bones Can’t Break Santana’s Tones

Discs from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Smashing Pumpkins and AC/DC are among a raft of new releases that crowded their way into the top of this week’s album chart, but none was able to topple Santana’s “Supernatural” from its familiar perch.

“Supernatural” logs its 10th week at No. 1 with sales of 441,000 copies during the week that ended Sunday. The album has surpassed 7 million in total sales since its June release, according to data from SoundScan, which tracks U.S. music sales.

The No. 2 spot belongs to “BTNHResurrection,” the third album from Cleveland rap ensemble Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, which sold 280,000 copies during its first week in stores. While the group--Krayzie Bone, Wish Bone, Flesh-N-Bone, Layzie Bone and Bizzy Bone--edged the other new releases on the week, “BTNHResurrection” is the first of their albums to fail to debut at No. 1.

“MACHINA/the machines of God,” the new disc from the Smashing Pumpkins, arrives at No. 3 with 165,000 units sold. The Chicago rock band is hoping its fifth album will be a stronger commercial success than its predecessor, “Adore,” but that 1998 album actually did better--173,000 copies--during its initial week.

Dr. Dre’s “Dr. Dre 2001” drops two notches to No. 4 this week, while Philadelphia rapper Beanie Sigel debuts right behind him at No. 5. Sigel, a protege of popular New York rapper Jay-Z, makes his solo debut with “The Truth,” but his celebrated mentor makes three appearances on the 14-track album.

Two veteran acts, Steely Dan and AC/DC, debut at No. 6 and No. 7, respectively. Steely Dan’s “Two Against Nature” marks the first album from the jazz-rock duo since 1980, while “Stiff Upper Lip” ends a five-year album drought for fans of AC/DC’s power-chord rock.

Another band looking to reestablish itself is Oasis, an English rock outfit that struck it big here in 1995 with “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?” but has seen its foothold on the U.S. charts slip in recent years. The band’s new album “Standing on the Shoulder of Giants” debuts at No. 24 with 55,000 copies sold.

The No. 1 single this week is Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name,” which surges up from last week’s chart position of No. 79.

New and Notable

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, “BTNHResurrection,” Ruthless/Epic. More of the rapid-fire raps and elegant, textured music that are the Cleveland group’s signatures. But the group’s main appeal remains its distinctive vocal flows and rich production.

The Smashing Pumpkins, “MACHINA/the machines of God,” Virgin. Some tracks threaten to numb the listener’s mind, but returning drummer Jimmy Chamberlin’s relentless beats propel a gorgeous din. If the Pumpkins aren’t exactly reinvented here, “MACHINA” feels more assured than “Adore.”

Beanie Sigel, “The Truth,” Roc-a-Fella/Island Def Jam. The Philadelphia rapper sticks to street narratives throughout his debut album, but his clever phrasing and some blistering beats make for a thoroughly entertaining package.

Warren Zevon, “Life’ll Kill Ya,” Artemis. The old Excitable Boy has fleshed out the swaggering cynicism of his youth with sympathy, humanity and even unflinching sentimentality. It all enriches his self-deprecating musings.