Despite drawing a mixed response from critics, West's album sold 450,000 copies in its first week, giving the rapper his third number one in a row.

Meanwhile, Guns N' Roses long awaited 'Chinese Democracy' was the second highest entry at number three, selling 267,000 copies.

The album, which was fourteen years in the making and reportedly cost frontman Axl Rose $2million, was released exclusively across the US with retailer Best Buy.

The disappointing sales figures are down more than half on the album's predecessors, 'Use Your Illusion I' and 'Use Your Illusion II', which sold 685,000 and 770,000 respectively when they were released on the same day in 1991.

It's thought the band's decision to allow fans to preview the album via their MySpace page ahead of its release could have contributed to the low sales.

Elsewhere, Taylor Swift's 'Fearless' enjoyed a Thanksgiving boost, climbing from number four to two.

The Killers were another new entry at number six with 'Day & Age'.

(by Jason Gregory)