Groban smashes records
2007-12-20 10:00
New York - Josh Groban set a new record on the US pop albums chart on Wednesday as Noel became the first Christmas album to lead the field for four straight weeks.
The disc moved 669 000 copies in the week ended December 16, according to Nielsen SoundScan data. With total sales at 2.77 million, Noel has now surpassed the High School Musical 2 soundtrack as this year's top selling album. The biggest seller in 2006 was the first High School Musical album with 3.72 million copies.
Elvis Presley's 1957 release Elvis' Christmas Album also sat on top for four weeks, but non-consecutively.
Alicia Keys' As I Am (292 000 copies) and the Eagles' Long Road Out of Eden (241 000 copies) held steady at No 2 and No 3, respectively. The multi-artist Now 26 hits compilation was No 4 for a third week with 191 000 copies.
Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas Song jumped six places to No 5 with 180 000. High School Musical 2 held at No 6 for a fourth week with 178 000. Miley Cyrus' double-disc set Hannah Montana 2 (Soundtrack)/Meet Miley Cyrus fell two to No 7 with 177 000.
Three country stars rounded out the top 10: Taylor Swift's self-titled debut rose one to No 8 with 139 000; Carrie Underwood's Carnival Ride fell two to No 9 with 137 000; and Garth Brooks' The Ultimate Hits fell two to No 10 with 119 000.