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Album Chart: New "Now!" compilation takes No. 1
Though two albums from the late Michael Jackson far outsold all others during the most recent sales week, it's the 31st installment in the "Now That's What I Call Music!" hits-compilation series that will top the forthcoming Billboard 200 chart.
With first week sales of 169,000 copies, "Now! 31" came in well behind Jackson's "Number Ones" and "Thriller," which sold 339,000 copies and 187,000 copies, respectively, according to Nielsen SoundScan retail data. The Jackson entries are relegated to "catalog" status, however, which disqualifies them from appearing on The Billboard 200. (Click here to read about Jackson's posthumous chart dominance.)
"Now 31!" leads a slew of Top 10 debuts, with country singer Brad Paisley 's "American Saturday Night" logging on at No. 2 with first-week sales of 130,000 copies; Rob Thomas ' "Cradlesong" at No. 3 with 122,000 copies; Wilco 's "Wilco (The Album)" at No. 4 with 99,000 copies; and self-titled sets from Jeremih and Killswitch Engage , which debut at Nos. 6 and 7 with sales of 59,000 copies and 58,000 copies, respectively.
Meanwhile, Black Eyed Peas ' "E.N.D." drops from No. 1 to No 5 on sales of 70,000 copies; Jonas Brothers ' "Lines, Vines & Trying Times" slips from No. 2 to No. 8 with 42,000 copies; Eminem 's "Relapse" slides four spots to No. 9 with 39,000 copies; and Lady GaGa's "The Fame" rounds out the Top 10 with 36,000 copies.
