Alan Jackson, Beach Boys, Neil Young chart with top 10 debuts

Adele, country singer Alan Jackson, the reunited Beach Boys and veteran rocker Neil Young all have noteworthy entries on the new Billboard Top 200 Albums chart.

In reclaiming the No. 1 spot after selling an additional 75,000 copies of her blockbuster "21" album, Adele has logged her 24th nonconsecutive week at the top, the most since Prince’s “Purple Rain” in 1984.  It will be a while, however, before she catches up to the next-longest run as the nation’s bestseller. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” stayed at the top for 37 weeks in 1983.

Meanwhile, Alan Jackson has proved that switching record companies after 20 years with the same label doesn’t have to slow a musician’s momentum: his new “Thirty Miles West,” the first for his Alan Country Records label, distributed by EMI Nashville, entered the chart at No. 2 with first-week sales of 73,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

That’s a smidge better than his final Arista album, “Freight Train,” did two years ago, selling 72,000 out of the gate for a No. 7 chart debut.

Right behind him are the Beach Boys and Young, both with their highest charting albums since the 1970s.

Coming in at No. 3 is the Beach Boys’ “That’s Why God Made the Radio,” the group’s first album of new music with creative leader Brian Wilson aboard in more than two decades. The new set sold 61,000 copies, giving the veteran Southern California band its highest chart debut ever and its best chart showing since the 1974 hits-compilation album “Endless Summer” went to No. 1, according to Billboard. The group is currently on a nationwide 50th anniversary reunion tour.

Another reunion -- this one between Young and his periodic collaborators in the band Crazy Horse -- has given him his highest charting album since “Harvest,” which went all the way to the top in 1972.  Young and Crazy Horse’s “Americana,” which digs into the treasure trove of traditional folk music with their versions of such songs as “Oh Susannah,” “Clementine” and Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land,” sold 44,000 copies and enters the Billboard chart at No. 4 this week.

In a recent interview with The Times, Young said the idea for the album was spurred by writing his first book, “Waging Heavy Peace,” which is scheduled for Oct. 1 publication.

“One of the things I remembered that I was writing about was that there was this musician Tim Rose, who was in a group [in Canada] called the Big Three, and after that he was in a group called the Thorns," he said. "I saw the Thorns in 1963 or ’64, and they were doing ‘Oh! Susanna.’ That arrangement blew my mind. That was Tim Rose’s arrangement of ‘Oh Susannah’ [used on ‘Americana’]. My band, the Squires, was playing folk-rock, which was kind of happening at that time. So I made a lot of songs that way in that time. That’s where we got to that.”

This week’s chart also includes two rap albums in the top 10: Big K.R.I.T.’s “Live From the Underground,” entering at No. 5 with sales of 41,000 copies, and Curren$y’s “The Stoned Immaculate,” bowing at No. 8 having sold 36,000 copies.

The final new top 10 entry is Brandi Carlile’s “Bear Creek,” at No. 10 with sales of 27,000.

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Album review: Alan Jackson's 'Thirty Miles West'

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-- Randy Lewis

Photo: Alan Jackson performs in September at the Concert for Hope in Washington, D.C., marking the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11. Credit: Charles Dharapak / Associated Press.

Adam Lambert's chart-topper 'Trespassing' is a high and a low

When Season 11 of "American Idol" comes to a close in a few hours, no one should feel too sorry for the runner-up. One need only to look to this week's pop charts for evidence that the "American Idol" crown isn't a requisite to cultivating a fanbase. The theatrical pop-rocker Adam Lambert finished second on "American Idol" during its eighth season, and this week he earned his first No. 1 album in "Trespassing." 

Lambert's "Trespassing," his second full-length since competing on the talent show, sold 77,000 copies in the U.S. in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The album's title track, meanwhile, has sold just north of 11,000 downloads. 

This chart-topper, however, isn't entirely a cause for celebration. Lambert's 2009 debut, "For Your Entertainment," opened with a much heartier 198,000 copies sold in its first week, when it arrived at No. 3 during the holiday season. "Trespassing" can boast that it is the lowest-selling No. 1 since Amos Lee's "Mission Bell" opened with 40,000 copies a little more than a year ago.

Just behind Lambert is U.K. singing sensation Adele, whose "21" has been in the top 10 now for an astonishing 65 weeks and sold an additional 63,000 copies this week. The title has sold more than 9 million copies. Carrie Underwood, another "Idol" vet, had last week's No. 1 with "Blown Away," which this week sold 54,000 copies. In three weeks, "Blown Away" has sold more than 440,000 copies.

Rock 'n' roll hucksters Tenacious D landed in the top 10 with their latest, "Rize of the Fenix." The duo of Jack Black and Kyle Glass sold a little more than 44,000 copies of their latest, their first since the movie-musical "The Pick of Destiny" in 2006. 

Sup Pop's elegant dream-pop act Beach House cracked the top 10 for the first time in its career. The indie duo's latest, "Bloom," entered at No. 7 with about 41,000 copies sold. The band's 2010 effort, "Teen Dream," was a career breakthrough, landing the act gigs at the Hollywood Bowl and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

The latest force on the pop charts is ... Lionel Richie?

Going country has turned out to be a rather shrewd move by crooner Lionel Richie. This week the artist scores his first chart-topping album in more than 25 years, as his twang-enhanced "Tuskegee" scoots into the top spot after a 35% sales jump. "Tuskegee" sold more than 128,000 copies over the past week, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and surpassed releases from Nicki Minaj and Adele in its ascent to the pole position. 

On "Tuskegee," Richie revisits his hits from the '80s with country stars, including Shania Twain, Willie Nelson, Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton and others. The last time Richie topped the Billboard chart, in fact, came in 1986 courtesy of his "Dancing on the Ceiling," reports the keeper of the U.S. pop charts. Now in its third week on the boards, "Tuskegee's" sales burst was inspired by last week's CBS special "ACM Presents: Lionel Richie & Friends in Concert." Thus far, the album has sold 423,000 copies.

Minaj, who topped last week's tally with her "Pink Friday ... Roman Reloaded," is at No. 3 this week, having sold an additional 81,000 copies. Thus far, Minaj's latest has sold 874,000 copies. Meanwhile, the album's single, "Starships," has sold more than 1.6 million downloads.

Minaj thus far is faring much better than Madonna with her new release. It was the latter, of course, who drafted Minaj for a cameo during her Super Bowl halftime show, but Madonna's "MDNA" has drifted out of the Top 10 in its third week on the chart. "MDNA" is at No. 18 this week with 21,000 sold. Thus far, it has sold 428,000 copies.

Madonna's 'MDNA' gives artist her eighth No. 1

Babs better watch her back. With the stellar chart debut of Madonna's "MDNA," the Material Girl is closing in on Barbra Streisand's record of nine chart-topping albums by a female artist. Madonna's "MDNA" will debut at No. 1 atop the U.S. pop charts Wednesday morning, having sold 359,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan stats revealed Tuesday by Billboard. 

"MDNA" is Madonna's best sales week since "Music" topped the Billboard charts with 420,000 copies sold in 2000. "MDNA" also had a hard-to-fail promotional campaign, as Madonna performed single "Give Me All Your Luvin' " with younger stars Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. during the Super Bowl halftime show in February. Madonna's MDNA tour will come to Staples Center in October.

Also helping Madonna's sales, reports Billboard, was a tie-in with her tour, as those who bought a concert ticket had the option of receiving the album. Billboard tallied sales only from those who specifically requested to receive "MDNA" with their ticket purchase. The tactic has been used by others, including Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers with its 2010 album, "Mojo." 

Madonna's prior album, 2008's "Hard Candy," sold 280,000 copies in its first week. "Hard Candy" was Madonna's final album for Warner Bros. Prior to the release of "Hard Candy," the artist inked a deal with Live Nation for future albums. The concert promoter partnered with Interscope Records for the release of "MDNA."

No luck needed, 'Hunger Games' dominates U.S. pop chart

The musical companion to "The Hunger Games" emerged as the clear leader on this week's pop chart, bolstered by contributions from the likes of Taylor Swift, the Arcade Fire, the Decemberists and Maroon 5, among many others. The disc, "The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 and Beyond," sold 175,000 copies in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan, easily placing it ahead of longtime chart ruler Adele. 

However, "The Hunger Games" didn't quite dominate the music industry in the way it did the film business this past week, as the instant blockbuster debuted with a staggering $155 million take at the box office, but it is the first soundtrack to top the Billboard charts since "Michael Jackson's This Is It" did so in late 2009. Yet the soundtrack, released by Universal Republic, is something of a stand-alone set piece, as only three of its 16 tracks are actually in the film. Those that made the cinematic cut can be heard in the end credits. 

Alongside its roster of big-name artists, the soundtrack does showcase two students from the USC Thornton School of Music. Singer-songwriter Jayme Dee has a song of her own, “Rules,” on the album, and junior Rozzi Crane is featured singing with Maroon 5 on the track “Come Away.” 

The soundtrack is one of five debuts inside the top 10, but the only real contender for the top spot. Adele's Grammy-winning "21" is at No. 2 this week, adding an additional 130,000 sales to its tally of more than 8.3 million.

The major label debut from pop band the Shins, "Port of Morrow," lands at No. 3. The former Sub Pop act is now working for Sony's Columbia Records, and "Port of Morrow" sold a little more than 74,000 copies this week.The Shins' final album for Sub Pop, 2007's "Wincing the Night Away," bowed at No. 2 after selling 118,000 copies in its first week.

Controversy-courting local hip-hop outfit Odd Future is also working with Sony, partnering with the major for its own Odd Future Records, and the act scores a No. 5 debut this week with  "The OF Tape Vol. 2." The collection sold 40,000 copies this week. It's similar to where the act's creative center, Tyler, the Creator, entered the chart about one year ago. His "Goblin," released independently on XL Recordings, also landed at No. 5, having sold 45,000 copies in its first week. 

One Direction makes history with No. 1 debut

Sorry Adele, but a group of sweet-faced British young'uns have kept you from the No. 1 spot.

Breakout boy band One Direction made history as its Stateside debut “Up All Night” bowed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart after it sold more than 176,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. This makes it the first British group to take the top spot in the U.S. with its debut release.

The disc, which was released across the pond in November, immediately hit No. 1 on the digital chart within minutes of its release last week. “Up All Night” is only the second disc of 2012 to unseat the chart-topping run by One Direction's Columbia Records labelmate, Adele, following Bruce Springsteen’s “Wrecking Ball.” Adele’s behemoth “21” remains at No. 2 after pushing an additional 156,000 copies.

Bruce Springsteen knocks Adele out of the top spot, but barely

It took the Boss to knock Adele’s unstoppable “21” out of the top spot on Billboard’s Top 200.

Bruce Springsteen scored his 10th No. 1 debut with his latest opus, “Wrecking Ball,” pushing 196,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, barely nudging the Grammy-winning powerhouse out of her plum position on top.

“Wrecking Ball” is the first disc to knock Adele out of the top spot this year. But “21,” which sold an additional 195,000 copies, continues to make music history. As it soared past the 8 million sales mark, it became the first album to do so since Usher’s massive-selling “Confessions” back in 2004.

Kid Cudi's WZRD and jazz artist Robert Glasper score high debuts

Welcome to week No. 23 at the top of the U.S. pop charts, Adele. The Grammy star maintains her grip on the pole position of the chart, as her "21" again faces no significant challengers. In its 54th week of release, the album sold more than 246,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and has now sold more than 7.8 million copies. 

As "21" approaches 8 million copies sold, Adele's debut, "19," also continues to find a new audience. The album is at No. 7 this week, having sold an additional 37,000 copies. The 2008 album has crossed the 2 million mark. Meanwhile, Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain" is the sixth-best selling digital single in the U.S., having sold 144,000 downloads this week. 

The week's top debut, and indeed the only debut inside the top 10, is Kid Cudi's psychedelic rock project WZRD. The self-titled album sold more than 66,000 copies. There was a bit of controversy in the release, as last week Kid Cudi took to Twitter to blast his label, Universal Republic, for shipping only 55,000 units to retail. There still should be plenty on the shelves, as 45,000 of "WZRD's" sales were for digital albums.

Other notes from this week's charts:

Adele, Bruno Mars, Civil Wars among Grammy sales winners

Adele's latest album has only 304 million people left in the U.S to reach. One full year after its release, her "21" continues to find a new audience. In its 52 weeks in the top 10 of the U.S. pop charts, "21" has now sold more than 7.3 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. 

In the first full sales week after her Grammy wins and performance, Adele's "21" has tallied its best week ever on the U.S. pop chart, selling another 730,000 copies to its total. This places it atop the pop charts for the 21st nonconsecutive week. The run, as reported earlier, sees Adele surpass the 20-week grip at the top of the pop charts by the Whitney Houston-led soundtrack to "The Bodyguard."

Adele, back in the news last night for flipping the bird at the Brit Awards, has two albums in the Top 5. Her 2008 debut, "19," sold 87,000 copies this week, and has sold just shy of 2 million since its release. The mighty increase by her "21," however, is the largest post-Grammy sales bump since SoundScan began providing the music industry with accurate sales data in 1991. The previous post-Grammy high was held by Norah Jones, whose "Come Away With Me" sold 621,000 copies after her multiple Grammy wins in 2003. 

The Feb. 12 Grammy telecast was kind to numerous other artists as well. Bruno Mars saw his genre-hopping, R&B-centered debut, "Doo-Wops & Hooligans," rocket back into the Top 10, up from No. 30 to No. 8 this week. Mars performed his vintage rocker "Runaway Baby" near the top of the Grammy telecast, and his album sold 38,000 copies this week compared with 16,000 the previous week. 

Adele's '21' sets record with 21st week at No. 1

This post has been corrected. See note at the bottom for details.

Adele's momentum is showing no signs of slowing. After winning six Grammy Awards and taking the top prize at the Brit Awards, the young soulful star bested a chart record set by another vocal powerhouse, the late Whitney Houston. Adele's "21" coasted to another week at the top of the pop charts, giving it 21 nonconsecutive weeks in the pole position. That's the most by any album in the modern sales era. 

Buoyed by her Grammy wins and return to the stage after vocal cord surgery, "21" sold a mighty 730,000 copies in the United States for the week beginning Feb. 13, according to Nielsen SoundScan stats released by Billboard. The tally gives Adele her best sales week. The album, which has now remained in the top-10 for one full year, has sold more than 7.3 million copies. 

With another week at No. 1, Adele has bested a chart record set by the Houston-led soundtrack to "The Bodyguard," the Grammy album-of-the-year winner for 1993. SoundScan began providing accurate sales data for the music industry in 1991, and "The Bodyguard" had its run at the top of the charts beginning in late 1992. 

Artists who perform at the Grammy Awards typically experience a sales bump in the days that follow, yet Adele's 207% sales increase is rare any time of the year (the album sold 237,000 copies for the week ending Feb. 12). Adele's "21" is the best sales week for an album since Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter IV" debuted at No. 1 with 964,000 late last fall. 

By comparison, last year's album-of-the-year winners the Arcade Fire sold 41,000 copies of its "The Suburbs" in the first full sales week after the Grammy Awards. For the week heading into the awards, "The Suburbs" had sold 12,000 copies. 

Complete chart data will be released early in the day on Wednesday.

[FOR THE RECORD, FEB. 28: An earlier version of this post stated that the Whitney Houston-led soundtrack to “The Bodyguard” won the Grammy album of the year in 1992. The album was released in 1992 but was honored with the 1993 album of the year Grammy.]  

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-- Todd Martens

Photo: Adele performs during the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 12 in Los Angeles. Credit: Matt Sayles / Associated Press