Backstreet Boys Stays at Number One

Source: MTV http://www.mtv.com

Thanks to Backstreet.net reader Y for sending this in.

In a pop world ruled by the Backstreet Boys, perhaps number two is as good as any artist can hope for.

Mary J. Blige will play runner-up next week when the "Billboard" album chart arrives; she debuts at
number two, right behind the Boys. According to sales figures released by SoundScan on Wednesday,
Blige sold more than 239,000 copies of her "Mary" album to land in second place.

Blige's album arrives nipping on the heels of the Backstreet Boys, who sold another 242,000 copies of
"Millennium" to hold on to number one.

Also making a fine first impression next week will be the latest effort from Mobb Deep, "Murda Muzik,"
which debuts at number three. The rappers moved 194,000 units of the album in week one to crack the
top five.

Other notable debuts include the "In Too Deep" soundtrack at 28, Moody Blues' "Strange Times" at 93,
JohnMellencamp's "Rough Harvest" at 99, and "Juxtapose" (Tricky's collaboration with DJ Muggs and
Grease) at 182.

The week also brings good chart news to Powerman 5000, whose "Tonight The Stars Revolt" gets a bit of
a goose fromthe band's slot on tour with Sevendust as well as its hook-heavy single "When World's
Collide." The album jumps from 43 to 34 after seeing its one-week sales bounce from 34,000 to 40,000.

Moby also gets a rise out of his new single, as the release of "Bodyrock" sees his album "Play" leap from
155 to 129 onthe chart. Static-X also returns to the top 200 with "Wisconsin Death Trip," which has been
in stores for five months (perhaps a stint on tour with Fear Factory and a new single, "Push It," are
breathing new life into the album).

-- Robert Mancini

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