In the big week, the first three album (debuts) sold over 100,000 copies. The biggest one, Jay-Z and Kanye West's "Watch the Throne" arrives, as expected, at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, selling 436,000 copies. At No. 2 on the Billboard 200, Luke Bryan secures his highest-charting album ever (and best sales week) with his "Tailgates & Tanlines" bowing with 145,000. The "Now 39" compilation starts at No. 3 with 110,000.

Adele's "21" slips 1-4 (73,000; down 4%). It's the first time "21" has been absent from the top three rungs of the list since it bowed 25 weeks ago. Though seeing how short albums saty in the top ten, she will be back there. Probably be a number one again.


One more album debuts in the top 10: Ace Hood's "Blood Sweat + Tears" at No. 8 with 26,000. It's the biggest sales frame for the rapper and his first top 10 album as well.

Notably absent from the top 10 this week is the "Glee: the 3D Concert Movie" soundtrack, which bows at No. 16 with 20,000. It's the first "Glee" set not to debut in the top 10 after 11 earlier releases.

Could this mean that Glee is losing steam?

One can only hope.

Overall album sales in this past chart week (ending Aug. 14) totaled 5.96 million units, up 5% compared to the sum last week (5.67 million) and up 20% compared to the comparable sales week of 2010 (4.95 million). Year to date album sales stand at 189.43 million, up 2% compared to the same total at this point last year (185.13 million). It is the 12th week in a row where year-to-date album volume is greater than the same time in the prior year.