Buble gives Kiss off to rock group on the Billboard 200

 Michael Buble

Credit: Jeff Christensen/AP

Croon beats out glam on the Billboard 200 as Canadian balladeer Michael Buble swoops in to snatch Kiss’s first possible No. 1 album out of the costumed rockers’ gloved clutches.

Kiss’s “Sonic Boom,” its first album in more than 11 years and a Wal-Mart exclusive, seemed destined to come in at No. 1 following strong sales reports after its Oct. 6 release.  However, in a off-cycle move, Warner Bros./Reprise dropped Buble’s “Crazy Love” on Friday, Oct. 9, simultaneously with the singer’s “Oprah” appearance. With only three days of sales, he topped all releases last week, moving 132,000 units. It is his second No. 1 and third top 10 album, according to Billboard.

Kiss comes in second—still its highest chart debut-- with 108,000 in sales.

Country, which has had recent charttoppers from Sugarland, George Strait and Reba McEntire, comes in third this week with Toby Keith’s “American Ride.” Country burgeoning star Luke Bryan rides in at No. 7. The Backstreet Boys eek out a Top 10 finish coming in at No. 9 with 42,000 in sales.

Last week’s pole topper, Barbra Streisand, drops to No. 4, Mariah Carey goes from 3-7, while Madonna falls out of the top 10.

Look for “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” to upset the apple cart next week.  Like Buble’s “Crazy Love,” it drops off-cycle on Friday. Can it sell enough in three days to top next week’s chart?  There are no strong challengers in its way so the answer is an easy yes.