Elton John was one of the seven debuts in the top 10 this week, as the Rocket Man collected his 18th top 10 album with the “The Diving Board” at No. 4 (47,000). It follows the 2010 collaboration album with Leon Russell, “The Union,” which debuted and peaked at No. 3. John has now scored back-to-back top five albums for the first time since 1976, when that year’s “Blue Moves” (No. 3 peak) followed the live album “Here And There” (No. 4).
Outside the top 10 on the Billboard 200 there were a number of movers and shakers. Let’s take a look at some of them…
— Sammy Hagar, “Sammy Hagar & Friends” (No. 11): The Red Rocker’s new collaborations album debuts at No. 23, marking his highest charting set since 1999’s “Red Voodoo” hit No. 22. Among the set’s many Friends are Michael Anthony, Chad Smith and Neal Schon, who all feature on a cover of Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus.”
— Icona Pop, “This Is…” (No. 36): Despite an inescapable single in “I Love It” (No. 7 peak on the Billboard Hot 100 in May), the pop/dance duo’s first full-length album debuts quietly with 12,000 sold at No. 36. “I Love It,” meanwhile, sold another 12,000 downloads this week, bringing its cumulative total to 2.6 million.
— The Beatles, “1” (No. 90): The hits album jets back onto the list with with 5,000 (up 165%) — its best sales week since early July. The rise was fueled by Fox TV’s “Glee,” which dedicated its fifth season premiere on Sept. 26 to the band’s catalog.
— Atoms for Peace, “Amok” (No. 107): The all-star band made its TV debut on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” on Sept. 26, and the buzz seemingly drove sales of the album to its best week since March. With 4,000 sold, the album was up by 237% and re-enters at No. 107.
— Nirvana, “In Utero” (Nos. 46 and 112): Nirvana’s 1993 album, “In Utero,” was reissued on Sept. 24 in an array of 20th anniversary deluxe packages, including one that was so expansive, it charts separately at No. 112 (4,000). The rest of the versions — along with the original album — are merged together at No. 46 (10,000).
— Countdown Singers, “Monster Mash and Other Terrifying Tunes” (No. 144): With Halloween still weeks away, it seems some consumers are getting their spooky shopping on early this year. This catalog CD-only release from the studio group sells for just $5 at Walmart. It features anonymous singers covering tunes like “Ghostbusters” and “Monster Mash.”