NOTHING "RANDOM" ABOUT IT!

With a multiformat monster in "Get Lucky," a masterful, multimedia setup and that intangible je ne sais quoi that makes the French duo’s Random Access Memories an album you’ve just gotta own, Columbia’s Daft Punk explodes out of the gate with a chart-topping 325k bow.

Needless to say, that dwarfs the 70k first week for their last release, 2010’s Tron Legacy soundtrack, which went on to sell 600k.

Capitol Nashville’s Darius Rucker occupies the #2 slot with 77k, which will doubtless occasion much hollerin’ but little Hootie-ing. Though it falls short of Rucker’s 2010 album (which bowed at 100k), it’s further proof of the ex-pop/rocker’s country bona fides.

At #3 it’s 4AD’s indie PoMo sensations The National, moving 72k (and handily surpassing their 2010 set, which debuted with 50k).

Virgin’s Thirty Seconds to Mars, at #4, celebrate their first-ever Top 5 bow with 60k.

Interscope’s Great Gatsby OST is the only returning record in the Top 5, dipping just 44% with 52k. By the by, Lana Del Rey’s "Young and Beautiful" hit on the soundtrack has driven her own Born to Die back into the Top 50; it now hovers at #44 with 8k.

Bad Boy/Interscope’s rookie rapper French Montana is the sole remaining debut in the Top 10, commencing at #6 with 50k. He’s tailed by holdovers Vampire Weekend (whose XL set—last week’s #1—swoops down 63% to 49k this week); Justin Timberlake’s RCA blockbuster (flat at 43k); and two country albums in their second weeks, MCA Nashville’s George Strait at 42k (down 66%), and Capitol Nashville’s Lady Antebellum at 34k (declining 39%).

Also debuting: The late Zach Sobiech’s A Firm Handshake (Rock the Cause) at #20 with 18k; and Fast & Furious 6 (Def Jam/IDJ) at #32 with 11k—powered by a 2 Chainz single that’s booming at iTunes.

Re-entering the chart (along with Gatsby’s Del Rey) are A&M/Octone’s Maroon 5 at #37 with 10k and Capitol Nashville’s Little Big Town at #49 with 7k.

Hitting this week, it’s grunge vs. gorgeous as Capitol’s Alice in Chains and Columbia’s Little Mix face off for the #2 spot (since Daft Punk will certainly rule the chart in its sophomore week). Other key bows include Vanguard’s John Fogerty (revisiting Creedence hits with guests from all formats), Def Jam/IDJ’s The-Dream, a Paul McCartney & Wings reissue and RCA rapper Kid Ink.