A ‘Pilgrim’ Far From Home

Another superstar album has failed to bump the mighty “Titanic” soundtrack off course. In fact, Eric Clapton’s “Pilgrim” enters the national album sales chart at No. 4 after selling about 168,000 copies during its first week in stores, according to SoundScan.

Meanwhile, “Titanic” sold another 448,000 copies, pushing its total past 5.6 million, to remain at No. 1 for the 10th week in a row.

Australian pop star Natalie Imbruglia’s debut album, “Left of the Middle,” enters at No. 10, while rapper Killah Priest’s “Heavy Mental” bows at No. 24.

The nation’s top-selling single last week was R&B; group Destiny’s Child’s “(No No No)--Part 2,” which sold only about 60 more copies than the No. 2 seller, Will Smith’s “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It.”

The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symhony” enters the singles sales chart at No. 19.

What’s Hot

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

Eric Clapton’s “Pilgrim” (Duck/Reprise). Most of the 14 tracks on this album lament lost love, but the songwriting on Clapton’s first collection of original material since 1989 rarely rises above cliche.

Ani DiFranco’s “Little Plastic Castle” (Righteous Babe). The independent singer-songwriter continues to hone her deceptively casual talent for drilling through a morass of conflicting emotions.

Celine Dion’s “Let’s Talk About Love” (550 Music/Epic). Dion’s voice is a technical marvel, but her delivery lacks the personality and intuitive sense of drama that are a diva’s stock in trade.

Madonna’s “Ray of Light” (Warner Bros.). From the sparkling arrangements to the lyrics, this ambitious new collection of songs is Madonna’s most thoughtful and personal work since 1989’s “Like a Prayer.”

Mono’s “Formica Blues” (Mercury). Producer Martin Virgo and singer Siobhan de Mare have concocted an enchanting aural landscape that manages to strike a perfect balance between the cerebral pop of Portishead and the retro cool of the Sneaker Pimps.

What’s New

Van Halen’s “Van Halen III” (Warner Bros.), various artists’ “The Player’s Club” soundtrack (Heavyweight/A&M;).

What’s Coming

March 31: Scott Weiland’s “12 Bar Blues” (Atlantic).