Pop Album Chart : Post-Holiday Slump Affecting Sales

Frank Sinatra’s “Duets II” doesn’t seem to have the sales appeal of the first one. After hanging in the Top 20 during the gift-buying season, “II” took a steep plunge, down to No. 66. Barbra Streisand’s album, “The Concert,” is on the same post-holiday slide, plummeting from No. 33 to No. 80. Vanessa Williams’ month-old “The Sweetest Days” hasn’t made a big commercial splash, peaking at No. 61 and slipping to No. 76. But it’s geared to an older audience, so slower sales aren’t that surprising. Garth Brooks’ “The Hits” is still the top pop album but, without any new material, it’s not likely to be a long-running No. 1. On the pop singles chart: Boyz II Men’s “On Bended Knee” is still No. 1; Madonna has another hit single from her “Bedtime Stories” album with “Take a Bow” (No. 8).

* The debut album by the local band Weezer is making a strong move toward the Top 20, jumping from No. 40 to No. 18 in its 21st week on the chart. What’s fueling this rise is the hot single “Buddy Holly,” which is getting lots of key video play.

For the Week Ending Jan. 7

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1.”The Hits,” Garth Brooks 1 3 3 2.”Vitalogy,” Pearl Jam 3 2 6 3.”II,” Boyz II Men 4 6 18 4.”Dookie,” Green Day 7 8 47 5.”Hell Freezes Over,” Eagles 5 4 8 6.”Smash,” Offspring 9 9 33 7.”MTV Unplugged” Nirvana 8 10 9 in New York,” Nirvana 8. “Big Ones,” Aerosmith 15 15 9 9. “Wildflowers,” Tom Petty 11 12 9 10. “No Need to Argue,” 12 13 13 Cranberries *”Weezer,” Weezer 40 40 21