POP ALBUM CHART : Abdul Covets R.E.M.’s Top Spot

After the big changes in the Billboard magazine album chart brought on by last week’s introduction of the new SoundScan data-gathering system, things were pretty calm this week. Example: Last week an unprecedented 34 old releases re-entered the Top 200, this week none. And after nearly all of the 31 country albums on last week’s chart had experienced significant upward mobility (led by Garth Brooks’ “No Fences” at No. 4 and “Garth Brooks” at No. 22), most this week fell back a few spots. “No Fences” goes to No. 6. Meanwhile, R.E.M. regains the No. 1 spot from Michael Bolton after one week out. But here comes Paula Abdul. The former Laker Girl’s follow-up to her 7-million-selling 1989 debut “Forever Your Girl” (itself back on the chart at No. 117) enters this week at No. 5 and seems almost a sure bet to take over No. 1 as soon as next week.

* Rolling Stone named Ice-T the “hot actor” of the year based on his performance in “New Jack City.” But going Hollywood hasn’t hurt his rap sales, as his latest album joins the film’s No. 4 soundtrack in the Top 20, debuting at No. 17. English acid-house band EMF is also hot: Its first album, “Schubert Dip,” debuts at No. 20.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1.”Out of Time” 5 1 10 R.E.M. (Warner Bros.) 2.”Time, Love and Tenderness” 1 1 4 Michael Bolton (Columbia) 3.”Mariah Carey” 3 2 49 Mariah Carey (Columbia) 4.”New Jack City” 2 6 11 Soundtrack (Giant) 5.”Spellbound” ... ... 1 Paula Abdul (Captive/Virgin) * “O.G. Original Gangster” ... ... 1 Ice-T (Sire)