Pop Album Chart : Pilots’ ‘Core’ Tops Mainstream Acts

“Core,” by the San Diego-based alternative metal band Stone Temple Pilots, is outselling all the mainstream rock acts--except Rod Stewart with his “Unplugged” oldies collection. The Pilots’ slow-building album, which has been on the chart for half a year, has been a hot item lately. This week it jumped up five places to No. 5, topping Aerosmith’s “Get a Grip”--the most prominent album of new mainstream rock material. The metal-oriented “Last Action Hero” soundtrack for the new Arnold Schwarzenegger movie is selling before the movie is even released, premiering at No. 12.4 Non Blondes’ “Bigger, Better, Faster, More!” continues to pick up steam, jumping from No. 27 to No. 21. Janet Jackson’s “That’s the Way Love Goes” is still the No. 1 pop single.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1. “janet.,” Janet Jackson 1 1 4 2. “Unplugged...and Seated,” Rod Stewart 2 2 3 3. “The Chronic,” Dr. Dre 3 8 26 4. “The Bodyguard,” soundtrack 4 3 30 5. “Core,” Stone Temple Pilots 10 12 24 6. “Breathless,” Kenny G 5 4 30 7. “Pocket Full of Kryptonite,” Spin Doctors 7 5 52 8. “Get a Grip,” Aerosmith 6 6 8 9. “Never Let Me Go,” Luther Vandross 8 -- 2 10. “It’s About Time,” SWV 9 9 23 * “Provocative,” Johnny Gill -- -- 1

* Crooner Johnny Gill, a big star among that under-30 audience that swoons over R&B; ballads, enters the chart with a flourish with his new collection, “Provocative,” which landed at No. 14.

Source: Billboard/Soundscan