'Faceless' in front
Godsmack claims first as Presley bows big
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"Faceless" (Universal Records), the group's fourth full-length release, sold almost 267,000 copies in its first run at the top 200. Perf marks Godsmack's highest debut, on the heels of their multi-platinum 2000 disc, "Awake."
Last session's leaders, Linkin Park, slipped to second, as sales of their latest effort, "Meteora" (Warner Bros.), ebbed by 27% to 186,000. Despite the downturn, the rap-rock superstars have done well for themselves, selling almost 1.3 million units in just three weeks.
Longtime front-runner 50 Cent slipped to third with "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" (Interscope/Aftermath), as sales declined by 10% to 159,000 discs. That fall should soon be reversed by a new CD/DVD package that hit stores Tuesday.
Prominent 'Concern'
Capitol Records scored big with Lisa Marie Presley's singing debut, "To Whom It May Concern," which claimed fifth place on sales of more than 142,000 units. The second-generation crooner is getting a big boost from heavy radio airplay of her first single, "Lights Out," which was co-written by legendary scribe Glen Ballard.
Just below Presley in a debut-heavy week was Washington, D.C.-born R&B heartthrob Ginuwine. His fourth disc for Epic Records, "The Senior," shifted more than 122,000 copies -- thanks in part to guest spots from Snoop Dogg, R. Kelly and Method Man.
Still more new releases crowded into the top 50 this week, including a greatest-hits package from folk-pop perennial James Taylor (Warner Bros.) at No. 11, on sales of more than 73,000.
Meanwhile, a reissue album from rapper Jay-Z titled "The Blueprint 2.1" (Def Jam) landed at No. 17. Release, which is essentially a stripped-down version of his previous LP, "The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse," sold 55,000 copies.
'Tears' wells up
One spot down at 18 was singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams with "World Without Tears" (Lost Highway), the much anticipated followup to 2001's "Essence." Fans snapped up just under 54,000 copies of "World" in its first frame.
Also hitting chart were "Balls & My Word" (Rap-A-Lot) from Southern hip-hop star Scarface at No. 20 (42,000 sold) and "Adoration: The Worship Album" (Sparrow) by Christian rockers the Newsboys at No. 33, shifting 32,000 copies.
The new 50 Cent release is grabbing most of the attention of chart-watchers for the rest of the month, but also on the way is new material from "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson, as well as Fleetwood Mac, Pete Yorn, and rockers ZZ Top.
