‘Private Parts’ Soundtrack Jumps to the Top of Charts

What’s Happening

The soundtrack for the Howard Stern movie “Private Parts” was the nation’s top-selling album last week. The collection sold 178,000 copies, according to SoundScan. Celine Dion’s “Falling Into You” was one of several albums that benefited from Grammy telecast exposure. The album, which has been on the charts for a year, rose from No. 10 to No. 4. Others included LeAnn Rimes’ “Blue” (16 to 9), Sheryl Crow’s “Sheryl Crow” (33 to 22), Babyface’s “The Day” (39 to 32), Beck’s “Odelay” (55 to 34), Tracy Chapman’s “New Beginning” (90 to 47) and the Smashing Pumpkins’ “Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness” (68 to 49).

What’s Hot

Here are some recent releases that are generating critical or commercial attention:

The Offspring’s “Ixnay on the Hombre” (Columbia). Despite moving from an independent label to a major, nothing on this richly varied and thoroughly smart fourth album, including power ballad “Gone Away,” feels like a sellout.

L7’s “The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum” (Reprise). Crafty, high-octane and smart, this infectious offering is the best album this L.A.-based all-female band has ever made.

Various artists’ “Gridlock’d” soundtrack (Death Row/Interscope). With “Life Is a Traffic Jam,” the late 2Pac proves himself a true warrior poet, with an artistic range that extends even to jazz.

Pavement’s “Brighten the Corners” (Matador/Capitol). Like Beck, Pavement unreels long strings of imagery, concocting a disarming blend of charm and mystery.

Spice Girls’ “Spice” (Virgin). This sexy, prepackaged, female version of the Monkees appears shamelessly one-dimensional--even if it’s all in the name of fun.

Silverchair’s “Freak Show” (Epic). Much of this gloriously imperfect work of garage metal suggests that these hard-rocking Australian teenagers are actually growing up.

Enrique Iglesias’ “Vivir” (Fonovisa). More pop formula--corny love ballads, conventional arrangements--from Julio’s mega-star son.

What’s New

U2’s “Pop” (Island), Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds’ “The Boatman’s Call” (Reprise), various artists’ “Mandela and de Klerk” soundtrack (Rhino), Van Morrison’s “The Healing Game” (A&M;).

What’s Coming

Tuesday: Aretha Franklin’s “One Lord One Faith” (Arista), Soul Assassins’ “Mix Master Muggs Presents” (Columbia), Shonen Knife’s “Brand New Knife” (Big Deal/Paradigm), Blur’s “Blur” (Virgin), Gato Barbieri’s “Que Pasa” (Columbia), Warren G’s “Take a Look Over Your Shoulder.”

March 18: Aerosmith’s “Nine Lives” (Columbia), Graham Revell’s “Vision II” (Angel), Watts Prophets’ “When the ‘90s Came” (FFFR/London).