Rihanna And Mary J. Blige Debut Within Top 5; Tightest Race To #1 Album

The tightest race in four years happened between the #1 and #2 spot on the Billboard Top 200 this week when Michael Buble bested veteran rock band Nickelback by only a few 100 copies to attain th top spot. While Buble’s album “Christmas” sold a bit over 227,000, Nickelback’s “Here and Now” unfortunately sold just under 227,00 – for the group’s third consecutive #2 album.

Under the two bands are Rihanna – who sold 197.000 in her first week with her sixth studio album Talk That Talk. Drake’s Take Care comes in at 173,000 for a strong second week, and Mary J. Blige’s ninth studio album My Life II: The Journey Continues, Act I debuts with 156,000 to close out the top 5.

01. Michael Buble – Christmas (227,000)
02. Nickelback – Here and Now (227,000) [Debut]
03. Rihanna – Talk That Talk (197,000) [Debut]
04. Drake – Take Care (173,000)
05. Mary J. Blige – My Life, The Journey Continues (Act I) (156,000)
06. Justin Bieber – Under The Mistletoe (142,000)
07. Adele  – 21 (140,000)
08. Daughtry – Break The Spell (129,000) [Debut]
09. Scot McCreery – Clear As Day (88,000)
10. Coldplay – Mylo Xyoloto (79,000)