On the Charts: “High School Musical 2” Continues Dominance, Talib Kweli Grabs Career-Best Debut
The Big News: Get used to seeing the High School Musical 2 soundtrack near the top of the charts for a while: In its second week of release, the tween juggernaut sold 367,055 copies — more than six times the tally of the number-two album, Talib Kweli’s Eardrum, which sold 60,479 in its first week of release. The Hannah Montana 2 soundtrack continued to benefit from the influx of kids in a record-buying mood, finishing at number three, while the Hairspray soundtrack and Now! 25 hits collection rounded out the top five.
Debuts: Besides Kweli, who had the biggest debut of his career, Swizz Beatz made an impressive entry, selling 45,163 to finish at number seven, and metal heroes As I Lay Dying moved 39,490 units to land at number eight. M.I.A.’s sophomore LP Kala opened at number eighteen, Rilo Kiley hit the charts at twenty-two and New Pornographers came in at thirty-four.
Last Week’s Sales Heroes?: Fergie remains a top-ten fixture, finishing at number six this week, as does number-nine Nickelback, who have been on the charts for ninety-nine weeks with All the Right Reasons. Texas hip-hop duo UGK hold on at number ten in their third week of release.