Howdy...

I remember watching that 25th Anniversary of Motown special when I was a kid -- the one when he did the moonwalk. It was likely, for my generation, the equivalent of seeing The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show.

The next day every person I knew was clumsily sliding backwards across their kitchen floor. It was better than sports, better than superheroes, and -- especially for a kid who loved music as much as I did -- a fledgling creature of the nascent MTV generation -- it was transformative. In a wider sense, if it wasn't for Thriller then the power of B-Boy culture (hip hop, breakdancing) would've likely taken a lot longer to infiltrate the mainstream. Through Jackson we gained modernity through magic... Something no artist has done since.

That being said, I have no real insight into his damage... And neither do you. Here's hoping he can rest in peace.

On a completely unrelated tip: CIMS is launching it's new developing artist program, Outside The Heard, in August. This program will feature 10 different artists every month, giving them love in an e-mail blast, in our digital store, and branding on the store level. Additionally, we're also ready to sell some banners on Think Indie as well as take submissions for the rest of our August programs, so don't be shy. Need more info? Hit up me or Liz Reeves (liz@cimsmusic.com).

Have a safe and wonderful 4th.

Onward,

-- jim.

CIMS' TOP TEN DEBUTS:

1 WILCO WILCO (THE ALBUM) WEA/NONESUCH
2 HELM,LEVON ELECTRIC DIRT EMM/VANGUARD
3 BJORK VOLTAIC WEA/NONESUCH
4 MOBY WAIT FOR ME EMM/MUTE
5 KILLSWITCH ENGAGE KILLSWITCH ENGAGE WEA/ROADRUNNER
6 TWISTED SISTER STAY HUNGRY WEA/ATLANTIC
7 JEREMIH JEREMIH UMGD/DEF JAM
8 THOMAS,ROB CRADLESONG WEA/ATLANTIC
9 SUICIDE SILENCE NO TIME TO BLEED EMM/CENTURY MEDIA
10 KREKEL,TIM ORCHESTRA SOUL SEASON PROGRESSION MUSIC

CIMS Top 10 Debut chart by StreetPulse, Inc All Rights Reserved

THE CIMS 200:

TW LW Artist Title Label
1 D DINOSAUR JR. FARM JAGJAGUWAR
2 D MARS VOLTA OCTAHEDRON WEA/WARNER BROS.
3 D SPEKTOR,REGINA FAR WEA/SIRE
4 D YORN,PETE BACK & FOURTH SBME/COLUMBIA
5 D JACKSON,MICHAEL THRILLER-25TH ANNIVERSARY EDIT SBME/EPIC
6 D DREAM THEATER BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS WEA/ROADRUNNER
7 3 GRIZZLY BEAR VECKATIMEST WARP RECORDS
8 1 MATTHEWS,DAVE BAND BIG WHISKEY & THE GROOGRUX KIN SBME/RCA
9 2 SONIC YOUTH ETERNAL MATADOR
10 4 PHOENIX WOLFGANG AMADEUS PHOENIX GLASSNOTE
11 12 DIRTY PROJECTORS BITTE ORCA DOMINO
12 7 IRON & WINE AROUND THE WELL SUB POP
13 5 MOS DEF ECSTATIC DOWNTOWN RECORDS
14 52 HOOD,PATTERSON MURDERING OSCAR (& OTHER LOVE RUTH ST RECORDS
15 D ROBISON,CHARLIE BEAUTIFUL DAY DUALTONE
16 D TORTOISE BEACONS OF ANCESTORSHIP THRILL JOCKEY
17 11 GREEN DAY 21ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN WEA/REPRISE
18 6 EARLE,STEVE TOWNES NEW WEST
19 8 BLACK EYED PEAS E.N.D. (ENERGY NEVER DIES) UMGD/A&M
20 D SUNSET RUBDOWN DRAGONSLAYER JAGJAGUWAR
21 18 HARRISON,GEORGE LET IT ROLL: THE SONGS OF GEOR EMM/CAPITOL
22 D GOD HELP THE GIRL GOD HELP THE GIRL MATADOR
23 17 KINGS OF LEON ONLY BY THE NIGHT SBME/RCA
24 15 DYLAN,BOB TOGETHER THROUGH LIFE SBME/COLUMBIA
25 16 SNIDER,TODD EXCITEMENT PLAN YEP ROC
26 9 COSTELLO,ELVIS SECRET PROFANE & SUGARCANE UMGD/CONCORD
27 14 EMINEM RELAPSE UMGD/INTERSCOPE
28 22 YEAH YEAH YEAHS IT'S BLITZ! UMGD/INTERSCOPE
29 20 BINGHAM,RYAN ROADHOUSE SUN UMGD/LOST HIGHWAY
30 13 CHICKENFOOT CHICKENFOOT REDLINE ENTERTAINMENT
31 19 ST. VINCENT ACTOR 4AD
32 29 CASE,NEKO MIDDLE CYCLONE ANTI/EPITAPH
33 10 INCUBUS MONUMENTS & MELODIES SBME/EPIC
34 D R.E.M. RECKONING UMGD/UNIVERSAL RECORDS
35 D DEER TICK BORN ON FLAG DAY PARTISAN RECORDS
36 43 AMOS,TORI ABNORMALLY ATTRACTED TO SIN UMGD/UNIVERSAL RECORDS
37 D SPINNERETTE SPINNERETTE ANTHEM ENTERTAINMENT
38 31 LEWIS,BLACK JOE & THE HONEYBEA TELL 'EM WHAT YOUR NAME IS! UMGD/LOST HIGHWAY
39 24 RANCID LET THE DOMINOES FALL EPITAPH RECORDS
40 28 EELS HOMBRE LOBO: 12 SONGS OF DESIR VAGRANT
41 35 SILVERSUN PICKUPS SWOON DANGERBIRD RECORDS
42 38 MGMT ORACULAR SPECTACULAR SBME/COLUMBIA
43 42 CLEAVES,SLAID EVERYTHING YOU LOVE WILL BE TA MUSIC ROAD
44 21 STREET SWEEPER SOCIAL CLUB STREET SWEEPER SOCIAL CLUB INDEPENDENT LABEL GROUP
45 27 OBERST,CONOR & THE MYSTIC VALL OUTER SOUTH MERGE
46 D FUTURE OF THE LEFT TRAVELS WITH MYSELF & ANOTHER 4AD
47 34 CAMERA OBSCURA MY MAUDLIN CAREER 4AD
48 39 DECEMBERISTS HAZARDS OF LOVE EMM/CAPITOL
49 40 FLEET FOXES FLEET FOXES SUB POP
50 D LEMONHEADS VARSHONS THE END RECORDS
51 50 WHITE RABBITS IT'S FRIGHTENING TBD RECORDS
52 D DARKEST HOUR ETERNAL RETURN VICTORY RECORDS
53 26 MILLER,RHETT RHETT MILLER SBME/SHOUT ENT.
54 61 PASSION PIT MANNERS COLUMBIA/3 ENT.
55 36 J DILLA JAY STAY PAID EMM/NATURE SOUNDS
56 25 CLAPTON,ERIC & STEVE WINWOOD LIVE AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN WEA/REPRISE
57 D O'DEATH BROKEN HYMNS LIMBS & SKIN KEMADO
58 D COLVIN,SHAWN LIVE WEA/NONESUCH
59 49 NUTINI,PAOLO SUNNY SIDE UP WEA/ATLANTIC
60 32 NELSON,WILLIE/ASLEEP AT THE WH WILLIE & THE WHEEL BISMEAUX
61 33 311 UPLIFTER SBME/VOLCANO
62 44 GOMEZ NEW TIDE ATO
63 51 FLATLANDERS HILLS & VALLEYS NEW WEST
64 D GOATWHORE CARVING OUT THE EYES OF GOD METAL BLADE
65 41 AU REVOIR SIMONE STILL NIGHT STILL LIGHT OUR SECRET RECORD COMPANY
66 77 AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT UMGD/ISLAND
67 62 ADELE 19 SBME/XL/COLUMBIA
68 91 CAGE THE ELEPHANT CAGE THE ELEPHANT RED INK
69 60 METRIC FANTASIES METRIC MUSIC INTERNATIONAL
70 D PSYCHOPATHIC VARIOUS MIKE E. CLARK'S PSYCHOPATHIC M PSYCHOPATHIC
71 D VNV NATION OF FAITH POWER & GLORY ANACHRON AMERIC
72 47 BIRCH,DIANE BIBLE BELT EMM/S-CURVE RECORDS
73 66 LADY GAGA FAME UMGD/INTERSCOPE
74 73 MASTODON CRACK THE SKYE WEA/REPRISE
75 92 CRYSTAL METHOD DIVIDED BY NIGHT INGROOVES
76 103 DOOM BORN LIKE THIS LEX RECORDS
77 123 RADIOHEAD IN RAINBOWS ATO
78 D GINUWINE MAN'S THOUGHTS WEA/REPRISE
79 45 BON IVER FOR EMMA FOREVER AGO JAGJAGUWAR
80 58 DARK WAS THE NIGHT (RED HOT CO DARK WAS THE NIGHT (RED HOT CO 4AD
81 82 POP,IGGY PRELIMINAIRES EMM/ASTRALWERKS
82 102 AGGROLITES IV HELLCAT/EPITAPH
83 134 KEARNEY,MAT CITY OF BLACK & WHITE SBME/COLUMBIA
84 202 PARACHUTE LOSING SLEEP UMGD/UNIVERSAL RECORDS
85 D SONS OF BILL ONE TOWN AWAY GRAY FOX RECORD
86 53 ALVIN,DAVE & THE GUILTY WOMEN DAVE ALVIN & THE GUILTY WOMEN YEP ROC
87 63 K'NAAN TROUBADOUR UMGD/A&M/OCTONE
88 74 MARTIN,STEVE CROW: NEW SONGS FOR THE 5-STRI UMGD/ROUNDER
89 90 ANIMAL COLLECTIVE MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION DOMINO
90 186 TING TINGS WE STARTED NOTHING COLUMBIA/3 ENT.
91 D MAYLENE & THE SONS OF DISATER 3 FERRET MUSIC
92 30 JAROSZ,SARAH SONG UP IN HER HEAD EMM/SUGAR HILL
93 67 METHOD MAN/REDMAN BLACKOUT 2 UMGD/DEF JAM
94 71 GRIFFITH,NANCI LOVING KIND UMGD/ROUNDER
95 72 BAT FOR LASHES TWO SUNS EMM/ASTRALWERKS
96 112 GUZMAN,JOEL & SARAH FOX CONJUNTAZZO GUZMAN FOX RECORDS
97 136 ZEE AVI ZEE AVI UMGD/UNIVERSAL RECORDS
98 195 DOVES KINGDOM OF RUST EMM/ASTRALWERKS
99 208 MEWITHOUTYOU IT'S ALL CRAZY! IT'S ALL EMM/TOOTH & NAIL
100 D ALEXISONFIRE OLD CROWS/YOUNG CARDINALS VAGRANT
101 37 HARPER,BEN/RELENTLESS7 WHITE LIES FOR DARK TIMES EMM/VIRGIN
102 93 DREDG PARIAH THE PARROT THE DELUSION DREDG
103 108 EASY STAR ALL-STARS EASY STAR'S LONELY HEARTS DUB EASY STAR RECORDS
104 109 CRACKER SUNRISE IN THE LAND OF MILK & SAVOY JAZZ
105 D DEAR HUNTER ACT III: LIFE & DEATH TRIPLE CROWN RECORDS
106 59 YUSUF ROADSINGER (TO WARM YOU THROUG UMGD/HIP-O RECORDS
107 65 BUCKLEY,JEFF GRACE AROUND THE WORLD SBME/LEGACY
108 69 IZIBOR,LAURA LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD WEA/ATLANTIC
109 88 DEPECHE MODE SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE EMM/CAPITOL
110 97 NOFX COASTER FAT WRECK CHORDS
111 48 YOUNG,NEIL FORK IN THE ROAD WEA/REPRISE
112 55 WARD,M. HOLD TIME MERGE
113 96 MEAT PUPPETS SEWN TOGETHER MEGA FORCE
114 100 U2 NO LINE ON THE HORIZON UMGD/INTERSCOPE
115 113 GIRL IN A COMA TRIO B.C. BLACKHEART RECORDS
116 124 SUNN O))) MONOLITHS & DIMENSIONS SOUTHERN LORD
117 D RODRIGUEZ-LOPEZ,OMAR-EL GRUPO CRYPTOMNESIA RODRIGUEZ LOPEZ PRODUCTIONS
118 D RODRIGUEZ COMING FROM REALITY LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
119 56 PLACEBO BATTLE FOR THE SUN VAGRANT
120 57 BOOKER T. POTATO HOLE ANTI/EPITAPH
121 70 IRON MAIDEN FLIGHT 666-SOUNDTRACK SBME/LEGACY
122 75 TAKING BACK SUNDAY NEW AGAIN WEA/WARNER BROS.
123 79 KRALL,DIANA QUIET NIGHTS UMGD/VERVE
124 78 MAJOR LAZER GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE...LAZER DOWNTOWN RECORDS
125 135 BIG STAR #1 RECORD/RADIO CITY UMGD/FANTASY
126 138 SOUNDS CROSSING THE RUBICON ORIGINAL SIGNAL
127 147 KILLERS DAY & AGE UMGD/ISLAND
128 203 SWIFT,TAYLOR FEARLESS UMGD/UNIVERSAL RECORDS
129 D BIBIO AMBIVALENCE AVENUE WARP RECORDS
130 68 PLANT/KRAUSS RAISING SAND UMGD/ROUNDER
131 83 HARVEY,PJ & JOHN PARISH WOMAN A MAN WALKED BY UMGD/ISLAND
132 95 KASABIAN WEST RYDER PAUPER LUNATIC ASYL RCA/RED INK
133 99 BEIRUT MARCH OF THE ZAPOTEC POMPEII RECORDS
134 104 DEERHUNTER RAINWATER CASSETTE EXCHANGE KRANKY
135 105 DJ QUIK & KURUPT BLAQKOUT MAD SCIENCE
136 117 ALLEN,LILY IT'S NOT ME IT'S YOU EMM/CAPITOL
137 122 SANTOGOLD SANTOGOLD DOWNTOWN RECORDS
138 143 PEACHES I FEEL CREAM XL
139 D VAMPIRE WEEKEND VAMPIRE WEEKEND XL
140 D JACKSON 5 ABC UMGD/MOTOWN
141 D DEAD PREZ & DJ GREEN LANTERN PULSE OF THE PEOPLE INVASION/TVT
142 D MELLENCAMP,JOHN LIFE DEATH LIVE & FREEDOM UMGD/CONCORD
143 D AWAY WE GO SOUNDTRACK SBME/RCA
144 81 COHEN,LEONARD LIVE IN LONDON SBME/COLUMBIA
145 107 DEVIL MAKES THREE DO WRONG RIGHT MILAN
146 121 HEAVEN & HELL DEVIL YOU KNOW WEA/RHINO
147 144 BEASTIE BOYS CHECK YOUR HEAD LIMITED COLLEC Artist
148 155 MIIKE SNOW MIIKE SNOW DOWNTOWN RECORDS
149 205 THOSE DARLINS THOSE DARLINS OH WOW DANG RECORDS
150 D PET SHOP BOYS YES EMM/ASTRALWERKS
151 D MONAHANS DIM THE AURORA MISRA
152 D HORRORS PRIMARY COLOURS XL
153 46 JONAS BROTHERS LINES VINES & TRYING TIMES UMGD/HOLLYWOOD
154 54 JACKA TEAR GAS MB RECORDINGS
155 64 BYRNE/ENO EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS WILL H TODOMUNDO/OPAL
156 84 AUERBACH,DAN KEEP IT HID WEA/NONESUCH
157 86 BUILDERS & THE BUTCHERS SALVATION IS A DEEP DARK WELL EMM/GIGANTIC
158 98 HEARTLESS BASTARDS MOUNTAIN FAT POSSUM
159 114 LAMONTAGNE,RAY GOSSIP IN THE GRAIN RCA/RED INK
160 125 UFO VISITOR STEAMHAMMER/SPV (GER)
161 130 DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE OPEN DOOR EP WEA/ATLANTIC
162 166 MARIA,IDA FORTRESS ROUND MY HEART MERCURY RECORDS
163 192 BROWN,ZAC BAND FOUNDATION WEA/ATLANTIC
164 223 MRAZ,JASON WE SING WE DANCE WE STEAL THIN WEA/ATLANTIC
165 D PIGFACE 6 MRI/FULL EFFECT RECORDS
166 D JACKSON,MICHAEL GOLD UMGD/MOTOWN
167 D PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND FRIENDLY FIRE RECORDINGS
168 76 TOUSSAINT,ALLEN BRIGHT MISSISSIPPI WEA/NONESUCH
169 116 BLACK MOTH SUPER RAINBOW EATING US CHICAGO INDEPENDENT
170 128 MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA MEAN EVERYTHING TO NOTHING SBME/COLUMBIA
171 141 HILL COUNTRY REVUE MAKE A MOVE RAZOR & TIE
172 158 BAND OF HORSES CEASE TO BEGIN SUB POP
173 157 LED ZEPPELIN MOTHERSHIP WEA/RHINO
174 179 KWELLER,BEN CHANGING HORSES ATO
175 215 ELIZABETH & THE CATAPULT TALLER CHILDREN UMGD/VERVE
176 204 TECH N9NE COLLABOS SICKOLOGY 101 STRANGE MUSIC
177 D MARIE,TEENA CONGO SQUARE UMGD/STAX
178 D SPOON GA GA GA GA GA MERGE
179 D OLSON/LOURIS READY FOR THE FLOOD NEW WEST
180 85 SPINAL TAP BACK FROM THE DEAD A2M
181 87 DOE,JOHN & THE SADIES COUNTRY CLUB YEP ROC
182 89 CROSBY STILLS & NASH DEMOS WEA/RHINO
183 106 FLEET FOXES SUN GIANT EP SUB POP
184 118 COALESCE OX RELAPSE RECORDS
185 133 LYTLE,JASON YOURS TRULY COMMUTER ANTI/EPITAPH
186 140 BLACK KEYS ATTACK & RELEASE WEA/NONESUCH
187 156 BUSDRIVER JHELLI BEAM ANTI/EPITAPH
188 169 BLITZEN TRAPPER FURR SUB POP
189 220 RADIOHEAD OK COMPUTER EMM/CAPITOL
190 222 BEYONCE I AM SASHA FIERCE SBME/COLUMBIA
191 D PINK FUNHOUSE SBME/ZOMBA LABEL GROUP
192 D GRATEFUL DEAD TO TERRAPIN: HARTFORD '77 WEA/RHINO
193 D PETER BJORN & JOHN LIVING THING ALMOST GOLD RECORDINGS
194 D SHELTON,NAOMI & THE GOSPEL QUE WHAT HAVE YOU DONE MY BROTHER? DAPTONE RECORDS
195 D HELM,LEVON DIRT FARMER EMM/VANGUARD
196 D WILCO YANKEE HOTEL FOXTROT WEA/NONESUCH
197 D CRYSTAL ANTLERS TENTACLES TOUCH & GO
198 D VOIVOD INFINI RELAPSE RECORDS
199 23 INDIGO GIRLS POSEIDON & THE BITTER BUG EMM/VANGUARD
200 80 CARBON LEAF NOTHING RHYMES WITH WOMAN EMM/VANGUARD

CIMS Top 200 sales chart by StreetPulse, Inc All Rights Reserved

CIMS' VINYL TOP 50:

TW LW Artist Title Label
1 2 MODEST MOUSE AUTUMN BEDS SBME/EPIC
2 1 WILCO YOU NEVER KNOW/UNLIKELY JAPAN WEA/NONESUCH
3 D DINOSAUR JR. FARM JAGJAGUWAR
4 3 GREEN DAY KNOW YOUR ENEMY WEA/WARNER BROS.
5 6 DIRTY PROJECTORS BITTE ORCA DOMINO
6 D CASE,NEKO MIDDLE CYCLONE ANTI/EPITAPH
7 4 YORN,PETE & SCARLETT JOHANSSON RELATOR/I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO D WEA/RHINO
8 D TORTOISE BEACONS OF ANCESTORSHIP THRILL JOCKEY
9 5 GRIZZLY BEAR VECKATIMEST WARP RECORDS
10 7 MODEST MOUSE SATELLITE SKIN Artist
11 D DEERHUNTER RAINWATER CASSETTE EXCHANGE KRANKY
12 D GOD HELP THE GIRL GOD HELP THE GIRL MATADOR
13 D JACKSON 5 ABC UMGD/MOTOWN
14 10 BEASTIE BOYS CHECK YOUR HEAD LIMITED COLLEC Artist
15 20 THOSE DARLINS THOSE DARLINS OH WOW DANG RECORDS
16 D GREEN DAY 21ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN WEA/REPRISE
17 D SUNSET RUBDOWN DRAGONSLAYER JAGJAGUWAR
18 9 HOOD,PATTERSON MURDERING OSCAR (& OTHER LOVE RUTH ST RECORDS
19 13 MATTHEWS,DAVE BAND BIG WHISKEY & THE GROOGRUX KIN SBME/RCA
20 14 FLEET FOXES FLEET FOXES SUB POP
21 30 MGMT ORACULAR SPECTACULAR SBME/COLUMBIA
22 D JACKSON,MICHAEL THRILLER-25TH ANNIVERSARY EDIT SBME/EPIC
23 8 SONIC YOUTH ETERNAL MATADOR
24 D MASTODON CRACK THE SKYE WEA/REPRISE
25 D JACKSON,MICHAEL THRILLER SBME/LEGACY
26 D SPEKTOR,REGINA FAR WEA/SIRE
27 D CRYSTAL ANTLERS TENTACLES TOUCH & GO
28 D FUTURE OF THE LEFT TRAVELS WITH MYSELF & ANOTHER 4AD
29 D WILCO WILCO (THE ALBUM) WEA/NONESUCH
30 23 RADIOHEAD IN RAINBOWS ATO
31 29 RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS MOTHER'S MILK EMM/EMI
32 D WAITS,TOM SWORDFISHTROMBONES UMGD/ISLAND
33 D YOUNG WIDOWS/PELICAN VOL. 3-YOUNG WIDOWS SPLIT SERI TEMPORARY RESIDENCE
34 19 ST. VINCENT ACTOR 4AD
35 24 IRON & WINE AROUND THE WELL SUB POP
36 26 YEAH YEAH YEAHS IT'S BLITZ! UMGD/INTERSCOPE
37 34 FLEET FOXES MYKONOS SUB POP
38 91 WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM BLACK CASCADE SOUTHERN LORD
39 D HORRORS PRIMARY COLOURS XL
40 D MY MORNING JACKET IT STILL MOVES ATO
41 11 SPECIALS SPECIALS EMM/VIRGIN
42 12 IRON MAIDEN FLIGHT 666-SOUNDTRACK SBME/LEGACY
43 17 MOS DEF ECSTATIC DOWNTOWN RECORDS
44 28 RADIOHEAD OK COMPUTER EMM/CAPITOL
45 51 EARTH RADIO LIVE SOUTHERN LORD
46 84 PELICAN EPHEMERAL SOUTHERN LORD
47 64 MONKS BLACK MONK TIME LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
48 82 KILLERS DAY & AGE UMGD/ISLAND
49 D RODRIGUEZ COMING FROM REALITY LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
50 D PAVEMENT BRIGHTEN THE CORNERS: NICENE C MATADOR

CIMS Top 50 vinyl sales chart by StreetPulse, Inc All Rights Reserved