Four new albums entered the nation’s sales...

Four new albums entered the nation’s sales chart in the Top 10 this week, but none came close to unseating the seventh volume in the “Now That’s What I Call Music” hit compilation series.

The album, which includes recent hits by such artists as Destiny’s Child and Janet Jackson, sold 394,000 copies last week, bringing its two-week total to slightly more than 1 million copies.

That was easily enough to outdistance the third-week sales of 244,000 generated by ‘N Sync’s “Celebrity.” The latter has sold almost 2.6 million copies in three weeks, which is spectacular by any standard except the one set by the pop group’s previous album, “No Strings Attached.” That 2000 collection sold 3.7 million copies in its first three weeks.

Last week’s “Celebrity” total was barely enough to hold off three chart arrivals for second place: the Isley Brothers’ “Eternal,” which finished third with 225,000 copies sold, Usher’s “8701,” fourth with 211,000, and rapper Jadakiss’ solo debut “Kiss Tha Game Goodbye,” fifth with 204,000, according to SoundScan. Teen star Aaron Carter’s new album, “Oh Aaron,” also entered the Top 10 at No. 7 by selling 133,000 copies. The remaining holdovers in the Top 10 are Alicia Keys (No. 6), Staind (No. 8), Linkin Park (No. 9) and D12 (No. 10).

After an early flash, albums by some high-profile artists have started falling down the chart. They include P. Diddy & the Bad Boy Family’s “The Saga Continues ... “ (No. 17 after five weeks), Aaliyah’s “Aaliyah” (No. 25 after four weeks), Craig David’s “Born to Do It” (No. 30 after four weeks) and Neil Diamond’s “Three Chord Opera” (No. 38 after three weeks).

Mariah Carey’s “Loverboy” continues to be the nation’s best-selling single.

Sound Advice

(From The Times’ album reviews)

Alicia Keys’ “Songs in A Minor,” J. In a striking debut, Keys moves from the funky sensuality of Prince’s “How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore” to the neo-soul vitality of Macy Gray and Jill Scott. (Robert Hilburn)

D12’s “Devil’s Night,” Shady/Interscope. While Eminem uses wit, venom and energy to make his work remarkable, the other rappers in D12 employ awkward raps that lack the spunk, authority and humorous edge typical of Eminem’s lyrics. (Soren Baker)

‘N Sync’s “Celebrity,” Jive. The group pushes aside the playful naughtiness of “No Strings Attached” to veer unevenly between superstar attitude and poor-little-big-shot vulnerability. (Natalie Nichols)