Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith Prove British Man-Power on Top of Billboard 200

Who was ready to challenge the big sales of last week's releases from Lana Del Rey and Sam Smith? How about Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith?

Sheeran made a sizable debut with his new album x, easily surpassing his last album +'s sales totals for its first week. His new set debuted with 210,000 copies sold, which makes it the fourth largest opening week so far during 2013, including the largest pop drop (depending on how you classify Coldplay). Smith couldn't reach the top spot in his first week, but at least he didn't drop the no. 2 spot in his second week. His In The Lonely Hour sold another 67,000 copies, which allowed it to surpass Del Rey's Ultraviolence for total sales after two weeks.

The top two albums also represent a pair of rarities. The last time a solo male British performer topped the Billboard 200 was during 2004, when Rod Stewart and Stardust...The Great American Songbook Vol. III reached the top. Accordingly, featuring both Sheeran and Smith at the top marks the first time since 1993 when two solo British males topped the chart (Eric Clapton's Unplugged and Sting's Ten Summoner's Tales, in case you were wondering).

G-Eazy also had his highest sales week ever, entering the Top 10 for the first time and actually entering the Billboard 200 for the first time as well. These Things Happen sold 46,000 copies and landed at no. 3. Following him was Del Rey, last week's no. 1. Her Ultraviolence dropped to 44,000 in sales. Frozen continues to exist in the Top 5 despite the rapid rise of temperatures. The soundtrack sold 38,000 copies in its 31st week.

The last two debuts in the Top 10 this week took spots nos. 6 and 7, respectively. Sludge metallers Mastodon debut at no. 6 with its album One More Time Around The Sun, which moved 34,000 copies. Phish follows with Fuego, remarkably its 34th entry to the Billboard 200. The album moved 32,000 copies. On a more personal note, our buddy Mitch Kibble was a huge fan of both bands before he was killed by feral wolves earlier this year. We hope he's rocking out in heaven to the new releases.

Back to the sunnier things. Miranda Lambert has racked up some sales during her first four weeks in the Top 10, and Platinum notches another 29,000 copies this week, finishing at no. 8. Linkin Park spends at least one more week on the chart, barely trailing Lambert with 29,000 copies of its own The Hunting Party sold. NOW 50 makes its return to the Top 10 this week after selling 22,000 copies last week and taking the last place.

Tags

Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, G-Eazy, Lana Del Rey, Frozen, Mastodon, Phish, Miranda Lambert, Linkin Park