CIMS CHART: WEEK ENDING 12/10/20 + STAFF PICKS
Hi Everyone,
As we finally reach the close of 2020 it feels like finishing a marathon. There have been many, many challenges this year, but it is important to remember there have been accomplishments as well. This was the 25th Anniversary of CIMS and that is a big deal. I am saddened that we didn’t get to all come together to celebrate with amazing live music and toasts and hugs (things that feel like the ultimate luxury right now) but year 25 was ultimately the year that reminded us just what we were all made of. This was also my first year to serve as the Executive Director for CIMS, and despite the uphill battles that were fought this year (and that we will undoubtedly continue to fight), it is a job that I love. It is also a job that I could not do alone. I would like to acknowledge our CIMS Board of Directors (Mike Fratt, Alayna Alderman, Rand Foster, Sandy Bitman, Justin Johnson, Jim Bland, Stephen Judge, Paige Brodsky, Terry Currier and Karl Groeger). They have worked hard for the group this year, given their time to the organization even when they probably really needed that time for their own store, and have provided me with so much support in my first year in this role. I would also like to thank my team: Liz Boger, Nick Campbell, Russell Cothran, Ben Knox, Branden Lower, Scott Register, Pete Szelenbaum, Ashley Vaske and Blake Wimberly- each of these individuals plays a vital role for indie retail and I am so very thankful to have them on my side. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention team RSD: Michael, Carrie, Eric and Luann- we all worked together this year probably more than ever and that felt really good, and of course, everyone else (Broadtime, Labels, Distributors, Artists) that helped us bring music to the people this year and supported our group. Last but certainly not least, to all of the indie record stores out there- Thank You for what you do. You are the twinkling lights on the tree that keep the faith alive.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday & a hopeful and happy new year!
Also- there was still A LOT of really good music that came out this year. So, here are our CIMS STAFF PICKS.
-Andrea
Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic
ANDREA PASCHAL
CIMS/THINKINDIE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
“Andrea’s Celebrated Records of 2020”
(in no particular order and one for each month of this crazy-ass year)
1. JARV IS- BEYOND THE PALE (Rough Trade)
2. THE AVALANCHES- WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU(Modular/Interscope)
3. HAIM- WOMEN IN MUSIC PART III (Columbia)
4. YELLE- L’ERE DU VERSEAU (Recreation Center)
5. ARCA- KiCk I (XL Recordings)
6. WASHED OUT- PURPLE NOON (Sub Pop) *I also REALLY appreciated that Sade Cover of "Cherish the Day"… great job Ernest!
7. NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS- IDIOT PRAYER (NICK CAVE ALONE LIVE AT ALEXANDRA PALACE (AWAL)
8. CARIBOU- SUDDENLY (Merge)
9. PROTOMARTYR- ULTIMATE SUCCESS TODAY(Domino)
10. DISCLOSURE- ENERGY (Island)
11. THUNDERCAT- IT IS WHAT IT IS (Brainfeeder)
12. SEBASTIAN TELLIER- DOMESTICATED/SIMPLE MIND (Record Makers)
LIZ BOGER
CIMS SALES & MARKETING
In no particular order :)
Haim/ Women in Music Pt. III
Strokes/ The New Abnormal
Sylvan Esso/ Free Love
Waxahatchee/ Saint Cloud
Glass Animals/ Dreamland
Beabadoobee/ Fake it Flowers
Wray / Stream of Youth/ Blank World
Washed Out/ Purple Noon
Finneas/ Blood Harmony
Purity Ring/ WOMB
PS - On a personal note, our family moved to FL this year...we needed more sunshine in our lives and some saltwater therapy. It’s been a tough year - hope everyone is holding up out there. I miss seeing you guys! If you need my new personal mailing address let me know! Hope everyone can find some joy in this holiday season ❤️
BLAKE WIMBERLY
CIMS/THINKINDIE DO/KNOW-IT-ALL
lp
John Carroll Kirby- My Garden (Stones Throw)
Andras- Joyful (Beats In Space)
Matt Karmil- STS371 (Smalltown Supersound)
Paradise Cinema- Paradise Cinema (Gondwana Records)
Chip Wickham- Blue To Red (Lovemonk)
Turn On The Sunlight- Warm Waves (diskunion)
ep
Roman Flügel- Garden Party (Running Back)
Anunaku/DJ Plead- 032 (AD 93)
Ami Dang- Meditations Mixtape Vol. 1 (Leaving Records)
track
Pauline Anna Strom (R.I.P.)- "Marking time" (RVNG Intl)
Jay Daniel- "Muse" (Watusi High)
Sharif Laffrey- "Sounds To Come" (Special Forces)
Arkajo/Dorisburg- "Void Pyramid - A" (Arkajo)
Schwefelgelb- "Das Bild Das Wiederkehrt" (Cititrax)
nthng- "Wave Return" (Lobster Theremin)
Third Wife- "Easy" (Concrete Lab)
Fort Romeau- "Neuromance" (Permanent Vacation)
Ryan Elliot- "Headspace" (Faith Beat)
Special Request- "Family Doggo" (R&S)
WhoMadeWho/Adana Twins- "Immersion" (Kompakt)
David Jackson- "Broken Heart" (Frank Music)
Jayda G- "Both of Us" (Ninja Tune)
Kareem Ali- "Galactic Expressway" (890243 Records)
Todd Osborn- "Friendly" (Running Back)
Matthew Halsall- "Joyful Spirits of the Universe" (Gondwana Records)
And one little toot from my own horn...
WRAY- Stream of Youth/Blank World (Earth Libraries)
toot :)
SCOTT REGISTER
THINKINDIE A&R
Here are SOME, and I repeat, SOME of my favorites of 2020. There are a bunch of others but these are a Baker’s Dozen of SOME of my favorites from this crazy ass year.
1. Kathleen Edwards- Total Freedom - Dualtone Records
2. Sturgill Simpson- Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1: The Butcher Shop Sessions & Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 2: The Cowboy Arms Sessions - High Top Mountain/Thirty Tigers (Yeah, I combined the two separate releases into one…SO?)
3. Whitney Rose- We Still Go To Rodeos - McG Recordings
4. Matt Berninger- Serpentine Prison - Concord
5. Lianne La Havas- Lianne La Havas - Warner/Nonesuch
6. My Morning Jacket- The Waterfall II - ATO Records
7. Laura Marling- Song For Our Daughter - Chrysalis Records
8. Paris Jackson- Wilted - Republic Records
9. Nada Surf- Never Not Together - Barsuk Records
10. HAIM- Women In Music Pt. III - Polydor Records
11. Logan Ledger- Logan Ledger - Electromagnetic Records/Rounder Records
12. Waxahatchee - Saint Cloud - Merge Records
13. Steve Earle- Ghosts Of West Virginia - New West Records
Two songs I wish had received more attention. “Make It Through” by Chris Trapper and “Rona Pollona” by Ghost of Vroom. These two tracks capture the year 2020 better than any others I have heard. Hope you’ll take the time to give them a listen and that they help you process life these days.
RUSSELL COTHRAN
THINKINDIE SALES & MARKETING
I think it is safe to say that 2020 has been one of the roughest years on record for any of us, emotionally. Instead of my usual Top 20 from 2020, here are 20 Records/Tracks that have helped get me through this year. Happy Holidays & may the power of music continue to bring us all a little closer in 2021!
Afghan Whigs- Black Love & Gentlemen
Jellyfish- Bellybutton
Brian Eno- Ambient 1 Music For Airports
John Coltrane- Blue Train
Talk Talk- The Spirit Of Eden
Prefab Sprout- Steve McQueen
Vince Guaraldi Trio- A Charlie Brown Christmas
U2- The Unforgettable Fire
Atlas Sound (featuring Laetitia Sadler)- “Quick Canal”
Steely Dan- Gold
Tame Impala- Lonerism
Best Coast- “California Nights”
Tangerine Dream- OST Thief
The Cult- Love
Thom Yorke- The Eraser
David Bowie- “Heroes” (Live Aid Performance)
Rhythm Method- Pacquet De Cinq
Bjork- Volta
Sigur Ros- Agaetis Byrjun
Top 10 Albums (in no order)
Protomartyr- Ultimate Success Today
Choir Boy- Gathering Swans
Moaning- Uneasy Laughter
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever- Sideways to New Italy
Nation of Language- Introduction, Presence
Hum- Inlet
Bambara- Stray
Wray- Stream of Youth / Blank World
Holy Wave- Interloper
En Attendant Ana- Juillet
Honorable Mentions
Mourn- Self Worth
Caribou- Suddenly
Metz- Atlas Vending
ASHLEY VASKE
CIMS/THINKINDIE ACCOUNTING
My selection of 2020 albums in no special order:
Poliça- When We Stay Alive
Haim- Women in Music Pt. III
Rhye- Home EP
Joe Wong- Nite Creatures
Tame Impala- Slow Rush
Yelle- L’Ère du Verseau
Mourn- Self Worth
Run the Jewels- RTJ4
Khruangbin- Mordechai
Fiona Apple- Fetch the Bolt Cutters
