Van Halen’s ‘Balance’ Slips Just a Tad

Van Halen’s “Balance” didn’t tumble down the pop album chart like some skeptics predicted after its debut last week at No. 1. It only slipped a notch, to No. 2. But, for veteran traditional rockers, even a two-week run at the top of a chart dominated by youngsters like Green Day and Pearl Jam is impressive. Speaking of hot alternative rockers, Hootie & the Blowfish may blow by the competition and land in the Top 5 with “Cracked Rear View” (No. 11). The key, though, is for Hootie’s first Top 10 single, “Hold My Hand” (No. 10), to climb higher--and pull the album along with it. Fast-rising albums: Brownstone’s “From the Bottom Up” (No. 32) and the Notorious B.I.G’s “Ready to Die” (No. 38). On the pop singles chart, TLC’s “Creep” continues to reign, with Soul for Real’s “Candy Rain” jumping seven notches to No. 7 and looking like a sure bet to take over the top spot in the next few weeks--if Brandy’s hot “Baby” (No. 5) doesn’t get there first.

* Women dominate the aptly titled movie “Boys on the Side,” so it’s only fitting that women dominate the soundtrack too. Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow and Melissa Etheridge are among big names performing new material on this album, which debuted at No. 37.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Last Weeks on the Week Ago Chart 1. “The Hits,” Garth Brooks 2 1 8 2. “Balance,” Van Halen 1 ... 2 3. “II,” Boyz II Men 5 4 23 4. “Dookie,” Green Day 3 2 52 5. “Hell Freezes Over,” Eagles 4 3 13 6. “Crazysexycool,” TLC 8 7 12 7. “Cocktails,” Too Short 6 ... 2 8. “Vitalogy,” Pearl Jam 7 5 11 9. “My Life,” Mary J. Blige 10 8 10 10. “No Need to Argue,” the Cranberries 9 6 18 * “Boys on the Side,” soundtrack ... ... 1