A meteoric rise to the top for ‘Meteora’

Linkin Park’s “Meteora” album got off to a strong start last week by selling 810,000 copies -- enough to easily capture the No. 1 spot on this week’s pop chart.

The L.A.-based rock ‘n’ rap band, whose “Hybrid Theory” has sold more than 7.7 million copies since its release in 2000, is trailed in the top 10 by Celine Dion’s “One Heart,” which sold 432,000 copies in its first week.

Looking ahead, the White Stripes’ much anticipated “Elephant” got off to a strong enough start Tuesday to be a top 10 candidate next week.

The album is being widely watched in the record industry as a gauge of the sales power of a wave of new bands with raw energy and an independent spirit.

-- Robert Hilburn