|PIC1|Gospel music duo Mary Mary has been reaping chart-topping success and critical acclaim since the release of their latest album.

The Sound debuted at No 7 on the US Billboard 100 and on the Billboard Gospel Charts at No 1, selling 37,800 copies in its first week. Other chart positions include No 2 on the US R&B chart, No 1 on both the gospel and CCM charts.

"Tina and Erica deserve the attention that befalls their mainstream counterparts like Rihanna and Mary J Blige," commented the Gospel Music Channel, referring to sisters Tina and Erica Campbell, who made their debut as Mary Mary in 2000. "But whether or not they get it, this duo has simply surpassed all of their previous efforts with The Sound, and that's saying a lot. They are continually setting new standards for artistic greatness, and this album has only solidified their lead in that regard."

The Sound is the fourth studio album and fifth overall release by Mary Mary, released in the UK on 20 October.

Christianity Today magazine hailed the album as "the most progressive urban disc to come out of Christian and gospel music in 2008, and possibly even mainstream music" while People magazine said The Sound "is slated to make a severe impact on both the gospel and secular arenas alike".

"The Sound finds the Campbells (Mary Mary sisters Tina and Erica) continuing to set the bar ridiculously high," wrote Christianity Today.

Due to the success of the album, a deluxe edition of The Sound is expected to release later this year or early next year. The deluxe edition is rumoured to feature a number of tracks Mary Mary recorded for the album that didn't make the final cut.

A total of seven tracks earmarked for the final tracklisting were later removed, including "Because of Him", featuring Kirk Franklin.

The Sound's lead single, "Get Up", is currently active on the charts, garnering radio play mainly on Urban, Urban Adult Contemporary, Rhythmic, Gospel and Dance radio formats. In America, it has so far peaked at No 5 on the Hot Gospel Songs, No. 12 on the Hot Adult R&B Airplay, No. 32 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, No 1 on the Hot Dance Club Play, and No 6 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles.

While very successful on many charts, "Get Up" has yet to match the success of Mary Mary's popular groundbreaking debut single "Shackles (Praise You)".