BECAUSE OF YO, HE’S #1

The Def Jam Urban star bows at the top spot on the HITS Album chart this week, as Because of You sells 245k as one of six newcomers to the Top 10.

Reprise’s Michael Buble translates his non-stop TV appearances, as well as a performance stint filling in for Tony Bennett on American Idol, into a #2 debut for Call Me Irresponsible, which had fans calling him irresistible to the tune of a 207k opening week.

Atlantic’s prog-rock perennials Rush (#4), SMG Nashville’s Miranda Lambert (#5), Warner Bros. Nashville’s Blake Shelton (#7) and Epic artist Tori Amos’ multiple personalities (#8) are the other newcomers to the Top 10.

Arista/RMG’s Avril Lavigne drops to #3 after two weeks at #1, followed by holdovers RCA/RMG’s Daughtry (#6), EMI’s Now 24 (#9) and Arista/RMG’s Carrie Underwood (#10), giving Sony BMG five of this week’s Top 10 in Lavigne, Lambert, Daughtry, Amos and Underwood.

Interscope’s Feist (#20), Walt Disney Records’ High School Musical: The Concert (#32) and Hollywood’s HSM alum Corbin Bleu (#35) also bow on the Top 50.

Thanks to the DVD release of the film last week, Columbia’s Dreamgirls soundtrack returns to the charts at #43.

Pink celebrated the ascension of her Jive/ZLG hit single, “U + Ur Hand” to #1 at Mediabase Top 40 after six months by seeing her album move up a shopping 43%, moving from 50-44. Nice work, Riccitelli. The week’s only other double-digit gain is registered by The Inc./Universal Motown’s Lloyd, up 16% at #29.

Hitting retail today is Interscope rap pioneers Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s comeback, DTP/Def Jam’s Bobby Valentino and Columbia diva Barbra Streisand’s live album of her 2006 tour, backed by the Dubya impersonator. Look for WB’s Linkin Park on May 15, and Maroon 5 the following week, May 22.