During the first week out in stores John Mayer’s latest album, “Battle Studies,” came out swinging. Fans grabbed enough copies of his fourth studio album to push it all the way to the No. 1 position on the US album chart.

The first week sales for “Battle Studies” was 286,000 copies and marks the second album of Mayer’s to top Billboard’s 200 chart. According to retail figures of Nielsen SoundScan reported by Billboard, “Heavier Things,” his second studio album debuted in 2003 at No.1 after selling 317,000 in the first week the set was released.

“Battles Studies,” in addition to the overall sales figure, also posted the third best selling week this year for any digital release. According to Billboard, 129,000 digital copies were sold.

At No. 2 behind “Battle Studies” is “My Christmas” from Andrea Bocelli, selling 185,000 copies. Three new releases followed. “The Fall” by Norah Jones entered the chart in the No. 3 spot with 180,000 copies sold. “Until the Whole World Hears” by Casting Crowns sold 167,000 copies in the No. 4 position. “Before I Self Destruct” by 50 Cent sold 160,000 copies at No. 5.

Rounding the Top 10 out are “My World” EP by Justin Bieber at No. 6 with 137,000 copies sold in its first week. “This Is It” by Michael Jackson sold 96,000 copies at No. 7. The soundtrack for “New Moon” sold 93,000 copies at No. 8. “Play On” by Carrie Underwood had 86,000 copies sold at No. 9. In the 10th spot was “Fearless” by Taylor Swift with 84,000 copies sold.

Early next year John Mayer will be hitting the road to begin support for “Battle Studies,” his fourth studio album due to be released later this month.

Special guests Spearhead and Michael Franti will be supporting Mayer on the trek that kicks off in Charleston, SC on February 8. The road trip will be covering lots of territory over its run of two months. Before concluding in Chicago on April 10, the tour will hit over 40 cities.

Pre-ordering “Battle Studies” at johnmayer.com will give fans early access to pre-sale special opportunities for upcoming tour tickets. More details can be found on John Mayer’s website.

“Battle Studies,” co-produced by Steve Jordan and Mayer, has been described by Mayer as an album that is relaxed, confessional and liberated, incorporating the simplicity, melodies and warmth of California pop and rock from the 1970s and 1980s.

Mayer said, the way I approach music is how a director does a period piece. “Continuum” was about Soul and R&B. “Battle Studies,” on the other hand, was written with Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty in mind. Its message and melodies are from the gut and concise with simplicity and efficiency.

The new set is a follow up to “Continuum,” Mayer’s album from 2006 that earned him three Grammy nominations and two wins for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for the first single from the album, “Waiting on the World to Change,” as well as Best Pop Vocal Album.