POP ALBUMS : ‘Saints’ Off to Sizzling Start

Though “Rhythm of the Saints,� Paul Simon’s follow-up to his smash hit “Graceland� album, was expected to be a solid long-term seller, its sizzling start is somewhat of a surprise. “Rhythm� rocketed to No. 5 on Billboard’s pop album chart in just three weeks. ZZ Top’s “Recycler� is red-hot too, shooting up to No. 6 in just three weeks. Since Bette Midler turned to crooning sentimental, uplifting songs, she has become a major force in the record market. Her “Some People’s Lives� moved up to No. 12. Debuts: The Cure’s “Mixed up�(No. 33) and Traveling Wilburys’ “Vol. 3� (No. 40). Mariah Carey’s “Love Takes Time� is still the No. 1 pop single.

* Sales of this Led Zeppelin retrospective set have been phenomenal. Though it sells for $55 in tape and $65 in CD, it’s going faster than most albums. No. 40 last week, it’s jumped to No. 18.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1.�To the Extreme� 1 2 9 Vanilla Ice (SBK) 2.�Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em� 2 1 37 M.C. Hammer (Capitol) 3.�Mariah Carey� 4 4 21 Mariah Carey (Columbia) 4.�The Razors Edge� 3 3 7 AC/DC (Atco) 5.�Rhythm of the Saints� 11 37 3 Paul Simon (Warner Bros.) * “Led Zeppelin� 40 --- 2 Led Zeppelin (Atlantic)