British folk rock band Mumford & Sons' sophomore album, "Babel," skyrocketed to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart this week after becoming the biggest musical debut this year. Billboard reported that the album sold 600,000 copies based on Nielsen SoundScan's report.
The successful debut is not only the band's first No.1 album but is the first from their independent label, Glassnote Records, MTV News reported. According to Billboard, the achievement marks the second biggest frame for an independently-distributed album.
With over 420,000 downloads sold, the album also set the second-largest week record for a digital album. Billboard reported that came second to Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" album in 2011, which recorded 662,000 downloads.
Glassnote Records founder Daniel Glass spoke to MTV News and said that although "healthy" sales were expected, the band was unlikely to ask about its Billboard standing.
"I promise you they won't ask, 'how many did we sell?'' Glass told MTV News. "I think they'll be proud, but it's not in their DNA. They love to play and they couldn't wait to play more music live."
MTV News also reported that "Babel" reached several achievements across many charts on Billboard including: best debut of 2012, biggest sales week for a rock album since 2008 and four top 10 singles on the Alternative airplay chart. The band's song "I Will Wait" reached the No.1 spot on the Rock Songs airplay chart as well.
The British band beat out two long-standing bands for its No. 1 spot. Punk band Green Day took the No. 2 spot with the first of their planned trilogy of albums, '¡Uno!' and were closely followed by fellow veteran band No Doubt who debuted their first album in 11 years, 'Push and Shove.'
'Babel' also holds the No. 1 and No. 6 spot on iTunes Top 100 albums. Mumford & Son's "I Will Wait" is currently No. 22 on iTunes Top 100 Songs
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