Charting 1997: Album chart 8th March

Something like normal service resumes, and a strong dose of the Brits Effect, perhaps most obvious in the top two positions. Also several re-entries from classic Beatles albums; I presume there was a reason for that but I can't remember why now. 

01. (3) Spice Girls - Spice
02.(24) Manic Street Preachers - Everything Must Go
03. (9) Lighthouse Family - Ocean Drive
04. (1) Mansun - Attack of the Grey Lantern
05.(RE) Eels - Beautiful Freak (Spotify)
A minor chart success on its original "soft" UK release earlier in the year: before that it had done relatively well on import, and I remember Stuart Maconie playing various tracks on his short-lived Radio Album Show back in 1996. Now it got full distribution on the back of the 'Novocaine For The Soul' single and brought E his highest ever UK chart position - meanwhile it never made the Top 100 in the US.
Whilst personally I think Eels went on to make better records, this is certainly one of the debuts of the year. And one of my Dad's favourites too, oddly enough.
Exactly a year later, Eels won their own Brit Award.
06. (2) The Smurfs - The Smurfs Hits 97 Vol 1
07. (5) No Doubt - Tragic Kingdom
08.(21) George Michael - Older
09.(NE) James - Whiplash (Spotify)
Highest genuine new entry of the week from the indie veterans. The title proved unfortunately apt when Tim Booth injured his neck during a concert in the US a few months later. At least they had the sense of humour to call the next album Millionaires.
10.(20) Kula Shaker - K
11.(29) Robert Miles - Dreamland
12.(19) Jamiroquai - Travelling Without Moving
13.(NE) 911 - The Journey
A common sight in charity shops. So far I've managed to resist the temptation.
14. (7) Original Soundtrack - Evita
15.(10) The Beautiful South - Blue is the colour
16. (6) Texas - White On Blonde
17. (4) Blur - Blur
18.(36) Fugees - The Score
19.(NE) The Orb - Orblivion
Their last studio album to bother the Top 75 until a collaboration with Dave Gilmour in 2010. Apparently it was in the can for almost a year before the record company could be bothered to release it.
20.(NE) Warren G - Take A Look Over Your Shoulder (Reality)
The second album that seemed to guarantee nobody would ever take him seriously again.
The best track is of course 'Reel Tight Intro'.
21.(33) Sheryl Crow - Sheryl Crow
22.(17) Celine Dion - Falling into you
23.(14) Space - Spiders
24.(18) Toni Braxton - Secrets
25.(27) Gabrielle - Gabrielle
26.(16) Skunk Anansie - Stoosh
27.(12) Reef - Glow
28.(28) Bush - Razorblade Suitcase
29.(52) Beck - Odelay
30.(58) The Bee Gees - The Very Best Of
31.(34) Crowded House - Recurring Dream: The Very Best of
32.(15) Adiemus - Adiemus II Cantata Mundi
33.(13) Backstreet Boys - Backstreet Boys
34.(25) Ocean Colour Scene - Moseley shoals
35.(30) Oasis - (What's The Story) Morning Glory?
36.(11) Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene 7-13
37. (8) Gene - Drawn To The Deep End
38.(23) LL Cool J - All world
39.(63) Mark Morrison - Return of the Mack
40.(31) Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill

43.(NE) Suzanne Vega - Nine Objects Of Desire (Spotify) (Amazon)
A twelve-track album, despite the title, and part of her collaboration with Mitchell Froom which had by this point extended to marriage and parenthood. The former didn't last but the latter inspired one of the least sick-making songs of its type in 'World Before Columbus'.
54.(RE) Radiohead - The Bends
56.(RE) The Beatles - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
58.(RE) The Beatles - Abbey Road
62.(NE) QFX - Alien Child
64.(RE) The Beatles - Revolver
72.(RE) Pink Floyd - The Dark Side Of The Moon
73.(RE) The Beatles - Rubber Soul