Pearl Jam's "Lightning Bolt," the band's 10th studio album, topped the Billboard 200 after selling 166,000 copies in its first week. That makes "Lightning Bolt" Pearl Jam's fifth No. 1 record, following "Backspacer" (2009), "No Code" (1996), "Vitalogy" (1994) and "Vs." (1993).


Not that the sales figures for "Lightning Bolt" were on the level of "Vs.," the band's sophomore album, or even "Backspacer": According to Billboard, "Lightning Bolt" sold 23,000 fewer copies than "Backspacer," the last Pearl Jam studio album to hit stores. That makes "Lightning Bolt" the group's lowest-selling debut record, a far cry from when 1.3 million copies of "Vs." were snatched off record-store shelves during the album's first two weeks of release.


On the plus side, "Lightning Bolt" enjoyed the biggest rock debut since Phillip Phillips' album was released last November.


"You can look at it another way, that when rock does get in the mainstream, it tends to get watered down and co-opted rather quickly," Vedder told HuffPost Entertainment when asked about the lack of interest in modern rock music. "If things are cyclical, and some people might look at rock as being on the downside, that probably means that it can retain some purity that maybe wouldn't be there otherwise."


For the full Billboard sales results, check out Billboard.com.


[via Billboard]



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  • Pearl Jam


    Pearl Jam performs at the "Made In America" music festival on Sunday Sept. 2, 2012, in Philadelphia. (Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP)




  • Pearl Jam


    Pearl Jam performs at the "Made In America" music festival on Sunday Sept. 2, 2012, in Philadelphia. (Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP)




  • Pearl Jam


    Pearl Jam performs at the "Made In America" music festival on Sunday Sept. 2, 2012, in Philadelphia. (Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP)




  • Pearl Jam


    Pearl Jam performs at the "Made In America" music festival on Sunday Sept. 2, 2012, in Philadelphia. (Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP)




  • Pearl Jam


    Pearl Jam performs at the "Made In America" music festival on Sunday Sept. 2, 2012, in Philadelphia. (Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP)




  • Pearl Jam


    Pearl Jam performs at the "Made In America" music festival on Sunday Sept. 2, 2012, in Philadelphia. (Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP)




  • Isle of Wight Festival - Day 3


    NEWPORT, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: (EUROPEAN SALES ONLY) Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs on the main stage as the headlining act on day 3 of The Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park on June 23, 2012 in Newport, Isle of Wight. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)




  • Isle of Wight Festival - Day 3


    NEWPORT, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: (EUROPEAN SALES ONLY) Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs on the main stage as the headlining act on day 3 of The Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park on June 23, 2012 in Newport, Isle of Wight. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)




  • Isle of Wight Festival - Day 3


    NEWPORT, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: (EUROPEAN SALES ONLY) Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs on the main stage as the headlining act on day 3 of The Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park on June 23, 2012 in Newport, Isle of Wight. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)




  • Isle of Wight Festival - Day 3


    NEWPORT, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: (EUROPEAN SALES ONLY) Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs on the main stage as the headlining act on day 3 of The Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park on June 23, 2012 in Newport, Isle of Wight. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)




  • Isle of Wight Festival - Day 3


    NEWPORT, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: (EUROPEAN SALES ONLY) Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs on the main stage as the headlining act on day 3 of The Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park on June 23, 2012 in Newport, Isle of Wight. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)




  • Isle of Wight Festival - Day 3


    NEWPORT, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: (EUROPE SALES ONLY)Eddie Reader of Pearl Jam performs on the main stage as the band headline day 3 of The Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park on June 23, 2012 in Newport, Isle of Wight. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)




  • Isle of Wight Festival - Day 3


    NEWPORT, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: (EUROPEAN SALES ONLY) Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs on the main stage as the headlining act on day 3 of The Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park on June 23, 2012 in Newport, Isle of Wight. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)




  • Hard Rock Calling - Day 1


    LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs during day 1 of the Hard Rock Calling festival held in Hyde Park on June 25, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)




  • Hard Rock Calling - Day 1


    LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs during day 1 of the Hard Rock Calling festival held in Hyde Park on June 25, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)




  • Hard Rock Calling - Day 1


    LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs during day 1 of the Hard Rock Calling festival held in Hyde Park on June 25, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)




  • 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented By Shell - Day 6


    NEW ORLEANS - MAY 01: Pearl Jam's Jazz Fest Performance Broadcast LIVE to Military in Iraq. Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder performs at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 Presented By Shell at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)




  • Hard Rock Calling - Day 1


    LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs during day 1 of the Hard Rock Calling festival held in Hyde Park on June 25, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)




  • 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented By Shell - Day 6


    NEW ORLEANS - MAY 01: Pearl Jam's Jazz Fest Performance Broadcast LIVE to Military in Iraq. Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder performs at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 Presented By Shell at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)




  • Hard Rock Calling - Day 1


    LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs during day 1 of the Hard Rock Calling festival held in Hyde Park on June 25, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)




  • 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented By Shell - Day 6


    NEW ORLEANS - MAY 01: Pearl Jam's Jazz Fest Performance Broadcast LIVE to Military in Iraq. Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder performs at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 Presented By Shell at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)




  • 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented By Shell - Day 6


    NEW ORLEANS - MAY 01: Pearl Jam's Jazz Fest Performance Broadcast LIVE to Military in Iraq. Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard performs at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 Presented By Shell at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)




  • 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented By Shell - Day 6


    NEW ORLEANS - MAY 01: Pearl Jam's Jazz Fest Performance Broadcast LIVE to Military in Iraq. Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard performs at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 Presented By Shell at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)




  • 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented By Shell - Day 6


    NEW ORLEANS - MAY 01: Pearl Jam's Jazz Fest Performance Broadcast LIVE to Military in Iraq. Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder performs at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 Presented By Shell at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)




  • 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented By Shell - Day 6


    NEW ORLEANS - MAY 01: Pearl Jam's Jazz Fest Performance Broadcast LIVE to Military in Iraq. Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder performs at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 Presented By Shell at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)




  • 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented By Shell - Day 6


    NEW ORLEANS - MAY 01: Pearl Jam's Jazz Fest Performance Broadcast LIVE to Military in Iraq. Pearl Jam's Mike McCready performs at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 Presented By Shell at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)




  • 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented By Shell - Day 6


    NEW ORLEANS - MAY 01: Pearl Jam's Jazz Fest Performance Broadcast LIVE to Military in Iraq. Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder performs at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 Presented By Shell at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)




  • 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented By Shell - Day 6


    NEW ORLEANS - MAY 01: Pearl Jam's Jazz Fest Performance Broadcast LIVE to Military in Iraq. Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder performs at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 Presented By Shell at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)




  • 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented By Shell - Day 6


    NEW ORLEANS - MAY 01: Pearl Jam's Jazz Fest Performance Broadcast LIVE to Military in Iraq. Pearl Jam's Dave Abbruzzese performs at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 Presented By Shell at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)




  • 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented By Shell - Day 6


    NEW ORLEANS - MAY 01: Pearl Jam's Jazz Fest Performance Broadcast LIVE to Military in Iraq. Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder performs at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 Presented By Shell at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)




  • 3rd Annual "VH1 Rock Honors" - Show


    LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 12: Singer Eddie Vedder of 'Pearl Jam' performs onstage during the 3rd Annual VH1 Rock Honors at UCLA's Pauley Pavillion on July 12, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)




  • 3rd Annual "VH1 Rock Honors" - Show


    LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 12: Singer Eddie Vedder of 'Pearl Jam' performs onstage during the 3rd Annual VH1 Rock Honors at UCLA's Pauley Pavillion on July 12, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)




  • 3rd Annual "VH1 Rock Honors" - Show


    LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 12: Singer Eddie Vedder of 'Pearl Jam' performs onstage during the 3rd Annual VH1 Rock Honors at UCLA's Pauley Pavillion on July 12, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)




  • 3rd Annual "VH1 Rock Honors" - Show


    LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 12: Singer Eddie Vedder of 'Pearl Jam' performs onstage during the 3rd Annual VH1 Rock Honors at UCLA's Pauley Pavillion on July 12, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)




  • 3rd Annual "VH1 Rock Honors" - Show


    LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 12: Singer Eddie Vedder of 'Pearl Jam' performs onstage during the 3rd Annual VH1 Rock Honors at UCLA's Pauley Pavillion on July 12, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)




  • 2008 Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival - Day 3


    MANCHESTER, TN - JUNE 14: Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs at the 2008 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on June 14, 2008 in Manchester, Tennessee. (Photo by Rob Loud/Getty Images)




  • 2008 Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival - Day 3


    MANCHESTER, TN - JUNE 14: Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs at the 2008 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on June 14, 2008 in Manchester, Tennessee. (Photo by Rob Loud/Getty Images)