Three albums I can think of right now that debuted at #1 with less than 100K are this one, The Adventures of Bobby Ray (B.o.B) & Epiphany (Chrisette Michele). I am probably forgetting a Glee album or something (The Madonna EP...?)
Albums are just too expensive compared to singles. If the industry wants people to buy albums, then albums should be priced lower. Why pay $12.99 for a CD with 10 tracks when you can buy the two tracks you REALLY love for about $2.50 (assuming it's an artist you don't stan for)? If albums were, say, $7.99, people would feel more inclined to just invest in the whole package.
Industry execs need to remember that we're in a recession.