Album Sweep: February 16, 2013 - Part One...

It's time to roll out the first half of this week's "album sweep" where I sample the new records making their way on to the Top 200 Albums sales chart in Billboard magazine. I've included links to get anything you see here, but please get thyself to an independent mom-and-pop record store if you can!

The top-selling album this week is the second acoustic set by Justin Bieber. Believe Acoustic sold over 200,000 copies in its first week, which is impressive for a side-release, but expected with him still riding the crest of his popularity at this moment. In addition to eight stripped down versions of songs from his #1 Believe album, this record has three new songs.

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Coming in at the #2 and #59 spots is "popera" king Andrea Bocelli, who released his latest in both regular and Spanish versions under the names Passione and Pasion respectively. It delves into the music of the Mediterranean, with cameos from Nelly Furtado, Jennifer Lopez, and the very much deceased Edith Piaf. Passione is Bocelli's lucky seventh album to reach the top-10 on the top 200 (which happens to be the same number as Bieber has, chew on that...)

Twin indie-rock (and lesbian)  sisters Tegan & Sara leap on at #3 with Heartthrob, their seventh full-length album and first to make the top-20. Their last, Sainthood went to #21 in 2009.

GAP Band funkster-turned-quiet-storm crooner Charlie Wilson enters at #4 with Love Charlie, his sixth solo album. half of them have made the top-10, with Uncle Charlie reaching #2 in 2009.

Los Angeles indie rock band Local Natives arrive at #12 with their sophomore album Hummingbird. Four years ago their debut Gorilla Manor went to #160.

Colton Dixon, who placed seventh on last season's American Idol (the 'Phillip Phillips' season), debuts at #15 with his first album,  A Messenger. The Christian-leaning album ranks higher than Lee DeWyze's did, although Lee's sold almost twice as much the first week.

...and now on the other end of the spectrum, Connecticut metalcore outfit Hatebreed stomp in at #20 with The Divinity Of Purpose, their seventh full-length effort, and first to reach the top-20. Three others made the top-40, with 2003's The Rise Of Brutality peaking at #30. (NSFW)

Rock journeyman Ben Harper comes in at #27 with Get Up!, his collaborative album with blues harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite. Ben has had three top-10 sets in the 2000s, with Both Sides Of The Gun reaching #7 in 2006.

Legendary jam-rock group the Grateful Dead shuffle in at #38 with Dave's Picks Volume 5: Pauley Pavilion, UCLA, Los Angeles, California: 11/17/73, a limited edition three-CD set for the fans.

The Wow Gospel 2013: 30 of the Year's Top Gospel Artists and Songs collection comes in at #43, featuring all the big names in the genre, including six of last years' top-10 gospel songs in Billboard magazine.

British dubstep musician Flux Pavilion, who's real name is Joshua Steele, dances in at #58 with his third EP, Blow The Roof.

Well that does it for the first half....out of these my top three picks would be the Tegan & Sara (by a mile), Charlie Wilson, and Andrea Bocelli sets.

I'll be back tomorrow with part two, with music from Destiny's Child, Emmy Rossum, and a winner of RuPaul's Drag Race. See you there!