JAY-Z, NICKELBACK AND ALICIA POWER THE CHART

With no historical precedent, it’s really hard to say what will shake-out as Top 40 stations attempt to return to their old ways in a new world. This week, the name of the game is "catch up," as programmers sort through a three-week backlog of releases.

Released last week, Columbia’s Train and DreamWork’s Lifehouse should now feel Top 40 love, along with this week’s crop of new cuts including Jive’s Britney and Backstreet, Atlantic’s Jewel and Sugar Ray, Virgin’s Lenny Kravitz and MCA’s Shaggy.

Once again, it’s really too wacky and confusing to properly call this Top 40 derby.

On the album chart, it will be another strong week for Roc-A-Fella/IDJ’s Jay-Z, who looks like he’ll edge out the still-strong (!!!) Nickelback (Roadrunner/IDJ) for the top spot on the chart. Also, remaining strong on her way to even BIGGER sales is J’s Alicia Keys.

Among the biggest gainers of the week is Reprise’s Enya, whose "Day Without Rain" is striking a serious emotional chord with the public in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy.

Album chart debuts this week include RCA Nashville’s Martina McBride, Elektra’s Gerald Levert, Atlantic’s Tori Amos, Epic’s Macy Gray and MCA’s Live.