Matchbox Twenty pushes its way to first No. 1 album

Veteran pop-rock outfit Matchbox Twenty earns its first No. 1 album this week with “North,” its first full length set in 10 years. The album sold 95,000 copies its first week in stores, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The band’s previous chart peak was No. 3, although frontman Rob Thomas hit No. 1 with his debut solo album, “…Something to Be,” back in 2005.

Matchbox Twenty faced unexpectedly stiff competition from Imagine Dragons, who debut at No. 2 with their debut album “Night Visions,” which sold a robust 83,000 copies its first week. Following last week’s No. 1 debut from TobyMac, Christian rapper Lecrae debuts at No. 3 with his set “Gravity.” The chart’s top 5 positions are rounded out by Now 43 and Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away.”

Meanwhile, Slaughterhouse — who debuted at No. 2 last week with their sophomore set “Welcome to: Our House” — slip out of the top 10 this week.

Next week’s chart will likely see debuts from The XX, Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews Band, the Avett Brothers and the newly minted team of David Byrne & St. Vincent.

Billboard’s Top 10 albums (sales in parentheses, figures according to Nielsen SoundScan)

1. Matchbox Twenty, North (95,000)

2. Imagine Dragons, Night Visions (83,000)

3. Lecrae, Gravity (72,000)

4. Now 43 (35,000)

5. Carrie Underwood, Blown Away (29,000)

6. Maroon 5, Overexposed (29,000)

7. 2 Chainz, Based on a T.R.U. Story (26,000)

8. TobyMac, Eye on It (26,000)

9. Trey Songz, Chapter V (24,000)

10. Cat Power, Sun (23,000)