The album -- his 11th chart hit -- was released on Idol's own imprint (BFI) through Kobalt Label Services, and is the three-time Grammy Award nominee's highest-debuting album ever. It's also his highest-charting set since 1990's Charmed Life climbed to No. 11 (off the strength of his smash single "Cradle of Love," which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100).
The new album was mostly produced by Grammy-winner Trevor Horn, who has worked with everyone from Seal and Yes to Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Grace Jones. Kings & Queens also features two songs co-written and produced by Greg Kurstin (Sia's "Chandelier," Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)").
Idol last charted with a new studio project on the Billboard 200 with the 2005 release Devil’s Playground. It debuted and peaked at No. 46 and spawned the No. 26 Mainstream Rock Songs hit “Scream.”
– Barbra Streisand, Partners - No. 8 – With another 40,000 sold, Partners' total sales cross the half-million mark: 526,000 copies to date. It's her best-selling release since 2003's The Movie Album (694,000).
– Susan Boyle, Hope - No. 16 – Susan Boyle bows with her latest release (20,000 sold), granting her six consecutive top 20 albums in as many years. She arrived with 2009's blockbuster No. 1 I Dreamed a Dream, which spent six weeks atop the list.
– Andrea Bocelli, Opera: The Ultimate Collection - No. 57 – Bocelli claims his seventh No. 1 on Traditional Classical Albums, and first in 11 years, with this new compilation. He last led the list with Sacred Arias: Special Edition, for nine weeks, beginning Nov. 1, 2003.
— Jerry Garcia Band, GarciaLive Volume Five: December 31st 1975, Keystone Berkeley - No. 81 – All things Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead have been consistently popular on the Billboard 200 in recent years. Since 2010, they've charted a combined 23 albums on the chart (18 for the Dead, five for Garcia).
— Sleater-Kinney, Start Together///1994-2006 - No. 176 – The limited edition, seven-LP colored vinyl box set of the band's album catalog bows with 2,000 sold. The set, priced at $139.99, also debuts at No. 2 on the Vinyl Albums chart.
