California rock band Incubus earned its first No. 1 album on the U.S. pop charts Wednesday, though sales were less than half those of its previous release.

Incubus sold 165,000 copies of “Light Grenades” (Epic) during the week ended December 3, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Its last set, 2004’s “A Crow Left of the Murder,” debuted at No. 2 with 332,000 units.

After six weeks, the former chart-topping soundtrack to the Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana” rebounded five places to No. 2 with 157,000 units. Former “American Idol” finalist Chris Daughtry’s “Daughtry” slipped one to No. 3 with 156,000 in its second week.

The multi-label hits compilation “NOW 23” fell one to No. 4 with 154,000. The Beatles’ “Love” was also down one, to no. 5 with 146,000. After debuting at No. 1 last week, Jay-Z’s “Kingdom Come” tumbled to No. 6 with 140,000.

Sarah McLachlan’s holiday album, “Wintersong” shot up 15 places to N0. 7 with 116,000 copies. Another holiday-themed set, the “NOW That’s What I Call Christmas 3” compilation, jumped 14 places to No. 10 with 102,000. It’s the first time two Christmas albums made the top 10 of The Billboard 200 since December 29, 2001.

R&B singer Akon kept the No. 8 spot warm for a second week with sales of 110,000 units for “Konvicted.” Moving 108,000 copies, Josh Groban’s “Awake” rose five to No. 9.

Two other albums debuted in the top 50 of The Billboard 200. The Clipse’s long-awaited sophomore set “Hell Hath No Fury” bowed at No. 14 with 78,000. The Virginia duo’s 2002 album “Lord Willin”‘ started and peaked at No. 4 with 122,000. Another Southern urban troupe, Ying Yang Twins, debuted at No. 40 with “Chemically Imbalanced” (36,000 units).

Overall, album sales were down 13.3% from last week’s count and down 5.1% compared to the same week a year ago at 14.75 million units. Sales for 2006 are down 5% compared to 2005 at 500.5 million units.

Reuters/Billboard