POP ALBUM CHART : Carey Gaining on Ice Man

Vanilla Ice’s 7-million seller, “To the Extreme,” has been on top for 14 weeks, but it may finally be toppled soon by “Mariah Carey,” which is getting a boost from her current hit single, “Someday”--No. 13 on the pop singles chart. “Mariah Carey,” a 3-million seller, inched up another notch to No. 2. In its second week on the chart, David Lee Roth’s “A Little Ain’t Enough” jumped from No. 46 to No. 23. The rocking Black Crowes are about to crack the Top 10 with their first album, “Shake Your Money Maker,” up two notches to No. 11. C&C; Music Factory moved into the Top 20--at No. 19--with “Gonna Make You Sweat.” The single of the title song is the new No. 1 pop single.

* Sting’s new album, “The Soul Cages,” which is being swamped with critical acclaim, debuted high on the chart--at No. 30.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks 1.”To the Extreme” 1 1 21 Vanilla Ice (SBK) 2.”Mariah Carey” 3 5 33 Mariah Carey (Columbia) 3.”The Immaculate Collection” 2 2 11 Madonna (Sire/Warner Bros.) 4.”The Simpsons Sing the Blues” 4 3 8 The Simpsons (Geffen) 5.”Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em” 5 4 49 M.C. Hammer (Capitol) * “The Soul Cages” ... ... 1 Sting (A&M;)