Music

Vampire Weekend's sophomore set 'Contra' also becomes the first No. 1 album in the XL Recordings' history.

• Jan 21, 2010

AceShowbiz - Vampire Weekend enter at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 200 with their second studio album "Contra". Scanning more than 120,000 copies in its first week on sale, the XL Recordings release forces last week's champ Ke$ha's "Animal" to fall to No. 3.

This band's album becomes the first independent album to rule the chart since Pearl Jam's "Backspacer" bowed at the hot spot back in September 2009. The effort is also the first chart-topper in XL's 20-year history. The label's previous highest debut was scored by Thom Yorke's "The Eraser" which started at No. 2 in 2006.

Back to the chart, while Ke$ha falls two slots, Susan Boyle remains at the runner-up position with her first studio project "I Dreamed a Dream". Lady GaGa and Alicia Keys round up the Top 5 with "The Fame" and "The Element of Freedom" respectively.

Beside Vampire Weekend, there is no other new comer this week. Lady GaGa has her mini album "The Fame Monster" at No. 6, Mary J. Blige secures the next place with "Stronger With Each Tear" and Taylor Swift is sitting with "Fearless" at No. 8. Furthermore, "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" soundtrack claims the No. 9 position, and Black Eyed Peas' "The E.N.D." is at No. 10.

Top 10 of Billboard Hot 200:

1. "Contra" - Vampire Weekend
2. "I Dreamed a Dream" - Susan Boyle
3. "Animal" - Ke$ha
4. "The Fame" - Lady GaGa
5. "The Element of Freedom" - Alicia Keys
6. "The Fame Monster" - Lady GaGa
7. "Stronger With Each Tear" - Mary J. Blige
8. "Fearless" - Taylor Swift
9. "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" soundtrack - various artists
10. "The E.N.D." - Black Eyed Peas