"NOW," McGraw retain top spots on U.S. album chart

NEW YORK (Billboard) - In a slow week for new releases, the "NOW 24" hits package and

Tim McGraw's "Let It Go" held the top two spots on the U.S. album charts Wednesday, while Nebraska rock troupe Bright Eyes scored its best week on the tally.

"NOW 24," which features tunes by the likes of Fergie and Nickelback, sold 89,000 copies in the week ended April 15, according to Nielsen SoundScan. McGraw's "Let It Go" sold 66,000 copies. R&B singer Akon's "Konvicted" jumped nine places to No. 3 with 60,000 copies.

Bright Eyes earned its best sales and charting week as "Cassadaga" bowed at No. 4 with 58,000 units. The Conor Oberst-led group had previous bests with the simultaneous 2005 release of a pair of albums, "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning" and "Digital Ash in a Digital Urn," which debuted at No. 10 and No. 15 respectively. The former started with 56,000 and has since moved 394,000 copies.

R&B producer Timbaland's solo outing "Timbaland Presents Shock Value" held steady at No. 5 in its second week, also with 58,000 copies, only a few dozen short of Bright Eyes' total.

Rock band Daughtry's self-titled debut climbed one to No. 6 with 54,000 copies, flip-flopping with Beyonce's "B'Day," which sold 51,000 copies.

Martina McBride's "Waking Up Laughing" slid four places to No. 8 with 50,000 in its second week.

Comprising members of Pantera, Mudvayne and Nothingface, metal supergroup HellYeah bowed at No. 9 with its self-titled debut. The set moved 45,000 copies.

Alison Krauss' "A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection" was unchanged at No. 10 in its second week with 42,000.

Other debuts included Puerto Rican pop singer Chayanne's "Mi Tiempo" at No. 42, his highest charting album yet, and gospel group the Clark Sisters' "Live: One Last Time" at No. 56.

Album sales were down 23.8% from last week's total at 8.05 million units, and down 32% compared to the same week last year. New releases expected to grab the top spots next week include Nine Inch Nails' "Year Zero" and

Avril Lavigne's "The Best Damn Thing."

Reuters/Billboard