Pop Album Chart

‘The Chase’ Outraces the Competition

It looks like the competition will be chasing Garth Brooks’ “The Chase� for the next few months. Peter Gabriel’s “Us� premiered at No. 2, but it’s not likely to be a long-range challenger to Brooks’ supremacy. Michael Bolton’s “Timeless,� which entered at No. 5, may be stronger competition in the long run. On the pop singles chart, Boyz II Men continued its reign with “End of the Road,� while Madonna’s single “Erotica� entered at No. 13.

* Sinead O’Connor’s album is going in the other direction, slipping to No. 32 after debuting at No. 27. There could be a strong backlash based on her startling “Saturday Night Live� performance last week when she tore up a picture of Pope John Paul II.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1.�The Chase,� 1 ... 2 Garth Brooks 2.�Us,� Peter Gabriel ... ... 1 3.�Some Gave All,� 3 1 20 Billy Ray Cyrus 4.�Unplugged,� Eric Clapton 2 3 6 5.�Timeless,� ... ... 1 Michael Bolton 6. “Dirt,� Alice in Chains ... ... 1 7.�Ten,� Pearl Jam 4 2 42 8.�Beyond the Season,� 5 4 6 Garth Brooks 9.�What’s the 411?,� 9 6 10 Mary J. Blige 10.�Singles,� soundtrack 6 7 14 *�Am I Not Your Girl?,� 27 ... 2 Sinead O’Connor

Source: Billboard/SoundScan