Avril's Lavign's Best Damn Thing (RCA) easily beat out a new album by Nine Inch Nails to debut at the top of the chart. Best Damn Thing sold 286,000 units (10% digital) while Nine Inch Nail's Year Zero (Interscope) sold 188,000 (14% digital). Two other albums debuted in the Top 20: The self-titled album by "American Idol" finalist Bucky Covington (Lyric Street) sold 60,000 and landed at #4, and Clay Walker's Fall (Curb) landed at #15 with 35,000.

Last week's top album, Now 24, dropped 24% and fell to #3. Last week's #2, Tim McGraw's Let It Go, fell 22% to #8.

Second-week fades: Bright Eyes fell 65%, Hellyeah sank 62%, Blonde Redhead fell 54% and Tiesto dropped 38%.

Album sales rose 1% and are down 17% over last year.

New York University is seeking a Department Chair for The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music.