Ben Harper

Ben Harper's new double disc "Both Sides of a Gun" blasted into the top 10 on the Canadian album charts this week.

The roots rocker's seventh album debuted at No. 5 with sales of 7,000 copies, his best ever chart showing north of the border.

It's Harper's first new material since "There Will Be Light," his 2004 collaboration with gospel singers the Blind Boys of Alabama.

Meanwhile, Pierre Laponte's new disc "La Foret Des Mal Aimes" (28,000) became the first French release since "Star Academie 2005" (out last November) to premiere at No. 1 on the charts.

The big debut forced James Blunt's "Back to Bedlam" (22,000) down to No. 2 after two straight weeks at the top of the heap.

Jack Johnson's "Curious George" soundtrack remained at No. 3, while David Gilmour's "On an Island" and the "Walk the Line" soundtrack both dropped two positions to No. 4 and No. 6, respectively.

The compilation "The Legend of Johnny Cash" occupied the No. 7 slot, Madonna's "Confessions on a Dancefloor" fell down two to No. 8, Prince's brand new disc "3121" checked in at No. 9, and Barry Manilow's "The Greatest Songs of the Fifties" flew up seven spots to No. 10.

Other notable debuts included My Chemical Romance's "Life on the Murder Scene" at No. 15, Teddy Geiger's "Underage Thinking" at No. 30, and From First to Last's "Heroine" at No. 38.

In the U.S., Prince entered the charts at No. 1, followed by the "High School Musical" TV show soundtrack in second, James Blunt in third, Bary Manilow in fourth, and Ne-Yo's "In My Own Words" in fifth.