The Black Keys and Michael Jackson Have Shootout for Top of Billboard 200: Who Won?

Patrick Carney had a busy week of trashing everybody from Justin Bieber to TMZ, but he also sniped at those behind the new Michael Jackson album, referring to it as "bulls--t." The popular theory of course is that Carney was irritated his own band's new album might not take the top spot on the Billboard 200 this week because of the competition. No fear Patrick: The Black Keys and Turn Blue won the battle.

The new album from Carney and guitarist Dan Auerbach sold 164,000 copies, marking the group's first stop atop the Billboard 200. Jackson came in a close second, as Xscape moved 157,000 units, resulting in one of the most exciting "battles" for the top spot yet for 2014. That's still a decrease from the first posthumous Jackson compilation, Michael, which debuted with 228,000 copies sold during 2010.

Now 50 stuck around at no. 3 after last week's win, selling another 82,000 copies. Frozen entered its 25th week on the charts at its lowest point in nearly as long, at no. 4. The album sold "only" 73,000 copies.

A pair of country albums take the next two spots in the Top 10 (and neither of them are from Luke Bryan!). Rascal Flatts released Rewind at no. 5 with 61,000 copies sold. More interesting however is Dolly Parton at no. 6 with Blue Smoke. Although the vocalist is one of the most legendary of female country performers, this album marks her first time in the Top 10 as a solo act. Her previous trip was for Trio, a collaboration album with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. Her best solo debut was 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs from 1981. It's never too late, and it's certainly about time.

Tori Amos, on the other hand, made her eighth stop within the Top 10 with new album Unrepentant Geraldines. The album was a distant seventh with 20,000 copies sold.

Sarah McLachlan was the first of two carryovers from last week's list that just made the cut for the second week. The performer's Shine On sold 18,000 copies and settled at no. 8. She surpassed Hunter Hayes this week, as his Storyline fell to no. 9 after selling 16,000 copies (his two-week total still trumps McLachlan's however).

Michael W. Smith rounds off this week's Top 10, moving just less than 16,000 copies of his Sovereign gospel record.

Tags

The Black Keys, Michael Jackson, Frozen, Rascal Flatts, Dolly Parton, Tori Amos, Hunter Hayes, Michael W. Smith