January 16, 2008

By By Katie Hasty, N.Y.

Despite a continued decrease in sales, Alicia Keys' "As I Am" returns to the top of The Billboard 200 this week, rebounding 2-1. The J Records effort moved 70,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan, a 38% sales slip from the week previous. It topped the chart, too, when it debuted nine weeks ago.

Radiohead's "In Rainbows" (TBD/ATO) flip-flops with "As I Am," falling 1-2 with 69,000 (-44%).

With a 78% sales boost, Rhino's soundtrack to the film "Juno" pole vaults 8-3 with 68,000, becoming the label's highest charting album ever. As next week's new release schedule is just as slow as this week's, the soundtrack -- which features music from artists like Kimya Dawson, Buddy Holly and Cat Power -- has a chance to top the tally.

Mary J. Blige's "Growing Pains" (Geffen) descends 3-4 with 64,000, a 28% decrease, while Taylor Swift's self-titled Big Machine album holds tight at No. 5 in its 64th week on the chart with 35,000 (-26%). The multi-label "NOW 26" hits collection falls 4-6 with 33,000 (-39%).

Moving 30,000 units, Chris Brown's "Exclusive" (Jive) dips 6-7 with a 27% sales hit as the Eagles' "Long Road Out of Eden" (Eagles Recording Co.) bumps up 10-8 with 29,000 (-20%). Garth Brooks' "The Ultimate Hits" (Pearl) falls 7-9 with 28,000 (-27%). After a whopping 69 weeks on the chart, Fergie's "The Dutchess" makes a return to the top tier despite a 17% sales decrease, ascending 12-10 with 28,000.

There's not much in the way of new releases this week on The Billboard 200, with only two new records starting in the top 100. The biggest debut is singer Sia's "Some People Have Real Problems" from Starbucks' Hear Music label at No. 26 with 20,000, the artist's first charting album on The Billboard 200.

"Made of Bricks" (Geffen) from British singer/songwriter Kate Nash begins at No. 36 with 16,000. Sales this week are down 20% from last week to 7.25 million units and are off 10% from the same week in 2007 (8.09 million).

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