'Magic' returns to top of charts

Springsteen edges out Kid Rock for top spot

By PHIL GALLO

Bruce Springsteen's "Magic" returned to the top of the album sales chart, edging Kid Rock's "Rock N Roll Jesus" (Top Dog/Atlantic set) by 240 units in an extremely slow sales week.

Both albums moved about 77,000 copies, repping a 42% decline for Springsteen in week three and a 55% slide for Kid Rock in his second stanza, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Jimmy Eat World's "Chase This Light" (Interscope) was the week's top debut, selling 62,000 units to open at No. 6.

The compilation "Ultimate Santana" (Arista), bolstered by a new track, "Into the Night," featuring Nickelback's Chad Kroeger, sold 56,000 to make a smooth entry at No. 8.

"The Art of Love & War," the Stax debut from neo-soul thrush Angie Stone, debuted at No. 11 on sales of 45,000. Thrice's "The Alchemy Index: Vols. I & II" (Vagrant) sold 28,000 copies to open at No. 24.

Toby Keith's "Classic Christmas" (Show Dog) jingled 18,000 bells to hit No. 39. Leader of the holiday pack, though, is Josh Groban, whose "Noel" again sold 64,000 but rose six slots to No. 4. Michael W. Smith's "It's a Wonderful Christmas" sold 11,000 to open at No. 78.

The deluxe edition of the "Across the Universe" soundtrack and Colbie Caillat's "Coco" enjoyed the largest boosts in the top 50. "Coco" was up 20% to 50,000 sold, rising six slots to No. 10. "Universe" was up 11% to 23,000 in sales, rising 15 slots to No. 30.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Lopez's "Brave," Leann Rimes' "Family" and Alter Bridge's "Blackbird" were headed in the opposite direction: "Brave" dropped 26 slots to No. 38 as sales plummeted 65% to 18,000; "Family" dipped 62% and 19 slots to No. 23, selling 28,000; and "Blackbird" slid 60% and 24 slots, selling 19,000.

Album sales were down almost 20% from the same week last year to 7.93 million units. Last year's chart for the same week had three titles selling more than 100,000 copies (Diddy's "Press Play," Evanescence's "Open Door" and Jojo's High Road") and the No. 10 album, the Killers' "Sam's Town," sold 62,000 copies. There were 11 debuts in the top 50.

This week's top 10 was bunched together between Springsteen's 77,000 and the 50,000 units sold of Caillat's "Coco." The top 50 sported only five debuts.

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