Pop Album Chart : Barney Gains on Garth

In the race to see who debuts at No. 1 on the pop chart, Garth Brooks, with “In Pieces,� beat out Mariah Carey, whose “Music Box� entered at No. 2. But her album may wind up on top in the next few weeks because it features the No. 1 pop single (“Dream Lover�), which considerably enhances its appeal. Brooks, however, doesn’t need a hit pop single to sell albums. R&B; singer Toni Braxton’s self-titled first album continues to be one of the summer’s chart surprises. Boosted by her Top 10-bound-single “Another Sad Love Song,� her album moved up seven notches to No. 17. “Last Splash,� by alternative rockers the Breeders, entered at No. 46.

* The lovable purple dinosaur, a favorite with preschoolers, is making a big splash on the pop chart. Barney’s album wiped out most of the adult pop entries, entering the chart at No. 31.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1.�In Pieces,� ... ... 1 Garth Brooks 2.�Music Box,� ... ... 1 Mariah Carey 3.�River of Dreams,� 1 1 4 Billy Joel 4.�Blind Melon,� 3 5 9 Blind Melon 5.�Sleepless in Seattle� 2 2 11 soundtrack 6.�janet.,� 4 4 16 Janet Jackson 7.�Core,� 6 6 37 Stone Temple Pilots 8.�Black Sunday,� 5 3 7 Cypress Hill 9.�Promises and Lies,� 8 8 6 UB40 10.�The Bodyguard,� 7 9 42 soundtrack *�Barney’s Favorites ... ... 1 Vol. 1,� Barney

Source: Billboard/Soundscan