U2’s “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb” (Universal Island) explodes onto European Top 100 Albums at No. 1, dominating the majority of markets that contribute to the chart.
The album enters at the top in the United Kingdom (with healthy first-week sales of 200,000 units), France, Germany, Austria, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Norway and Holland.
U2’s last studio set, “All That You Can’t Leave Behind,” spent three weeks at the helm of Top 100 Albums in late 2000; the Irish rockers’ “The Best of 1990-2000” compilation did the same in late 2002.
The only other top-10 album debut comes from Kylie Minogue, whose “Ultimate Kylie” (Parlophone) arrives at No. 8. That’s after a No. 4 start in the United Kingdom on sales of 82,000 units.
Gwen Stefani’s solo debut, “Love, Angel, Music, Baby,” (Interscope) fails to breach the aggregate top 10 in its first week, entering at No. 12. First single “What You Waiting For” spends a second week in the top 10 of Eurochart Hot 100 Singles, falling 6-9. Its highest ranking is No. 4 in Norway.
Destiny’s Child falls 3-5 in its second week on Top 100 Albums with “Destiny Fulfilled” (Columbia), but lead track “Lose My Breath” (Columbia) holds at No. 1 for a second week on the Eurochart. The single is No. 1 in Ireland; No. 2 in the United Kingdom (for a fourth straight week), Spain and Norway; No. 7 in Italy; and No. 9 in France.
Two French hits climb into the top 10 of the Eurochart. “La Riviere de Notre Enfance” (Columbia), a collaboration by established stars Garou & Michel Sardou, is up 11-6 after rising 2-1 in France. Papi Sanchez’s “Enamorame” (Scorpio/Sony) jumps 15-8 in its fourth Eurochart week, prompted by a 3-2 improvement locally.
Sardou is also represented on the French album chart, where an album of the Parisian singer/songwriter’s material recorded by the latest TV talent troupe, “Star Academy 4 Chante Michel Sardou” (Mercury), is at No. 8.
“Tilt Ya Head Back” (Universal) by Nelly featuring Christina Aguilera enters the Eurochart at No. 14. Its best debut is at No. 5 in the United Kingdom. Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, credited on her new single “Ride It” (Innocent/Virgin) simply as Geri, is at No. 3 in the United Kingdom and No. 19 overall.
